Plasmodium telomeric sequences: structure, stability and quadruplex targeting by small compounds

The increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to the most commonly used antimalarial drugs makes it necessary to identify new therapeutic targets. The telomeres of the parasite could constitute an attractive target. They are composed of repetitions of a degenerate motif ((5')GGGTTYA(3'), where Y is T or C), different from the human one ((5')GGGTTA(3')). In this report we investigate the possibility of targeting Plasmodium telomeres with G-quadruplex ligands. Through solution hybridisation assays we provide evidence of the existence of a telomeric 3' G-overhang in P. falciparum genomic DNA. Through UV spectroscopy studies we demonstrate that stable G-quadruplex structures are formed at physiological temperature by sequences composed of the degenerate Plasmodium telomeric motif. Through a FRET melting assay we show stabilisation of Plasmodium telomeric G-quadruplexes by a variety of ligands. Many of the tested ligands display strong quadruplex versus duplex selectivity, but show little discrimination between human and Plasmodium telomeric quadruplexes.     

Design of highly tough poly(l‐lactide)‐based ternary blends for automotive applications

Technical renewable poly(l ‐lactide) (PLA)‐based blends represent an elegant way to achieve attractive properties for engineering applications. Recently, the miscibility between PLA and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) gave rise to new formulations with enhanced thermo‐mechanical properties but their high brittleness still remains a challenge to be overcome. This work here focuses on rubber‐toughened PLA/PMMA formulations for injection‐molding processes upon the addition of a commercially available ethylene‐acrylate impact modifier (BS). The miscibility between PLA and PMMA is not altered by the presence of BS but the incorporation of BS (17% by weight) into a PLA/PMMA matrix could enhance both ductility and toughness of PLA/PMMA blends for PMMA content up to 50 wt %. An optimum range of particle sizes (d_n ～0.5 µm) of the dispersed domains for high impact toughness is identified. These bio‐based ternary blends appear as promising alternatives to petro‐sourced blends such as ABS‐based blends in engineering injection‐molding parts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43402.     

Corrosion behaviour of zinc–cerium alloys: Role of intermetallic phases

New zinc–cerium alloys (up to 5 wt.%) was synthesized and their corrosion behaviour was studied in a reference corrosive media. Metallographic analyses show that cerium is exclusively present in a Zn₁₁Ce intermetallic phase, homogeneously dispersed in the zinc matrix. With an optimal concentration at around 1.5 wt.%, the Zn₁₁Ce phase acts as a tank of cerium to form a protective Ce-enriched passive layer. Nevertheless, at high Ce content, the benefit in terms of corrosion resistance obtained by the incorporation of Ce in the corrosion layer is shaded by the galvanic coupling between the intermetallic phase and the matrix.     

Synthesis, electron tomography and single-particle optical response of twisted gold nano-bipyramids

A great number of works focus their interest on the study of gold nanoparticle plasmonic properties. Among those, sharp nanostructures appear to exhibit the more interesting features for further developments. In this paper, a complete study on bipyramidal-like gold nanostructures is presented. The nano-objects are prepared in high yield using an original method. This chemical process enables a precise control of the shape and the size of the particles. The specific photophysical properties of gold bipyramids in suspension are ripened by recording the plasmonic response of single and isolated objects. Resulting extinction spectra are precisely correlated to their geometrical structure by mean of electron tomography at the single-particle level. The interplay between the geometrical structure and the optical properties of twisted gold bipyramids is further discussed on the basis of numerical calculations. The influence of several parameters is explored such as the structural aspect ratio or the tip truncation. In the case of an incident excitation polarized along the particle long axis, this study shows how the plasmon resonance position can be sensitive to these parameters and how it can then be efficiently tuned on a large wavelength range.     

Réalité actuelle des couples homosexuels: Implications cliniques en contexte de thérapie conjugale.

Despite the fact that a large number of homosexual couples seek professional help when confronted with marital difficulties, relatively little knowledge is available to psychologists working with these clients. Although gay and lesbian couples greatly resemble heterosexual couples on most of the conjugal dimensions, it seems that same sex couples do have a unique reality to their sexual orientation. The present article constitutes an innovative synthesis of the actual knowledge concerning therapeutic intervention with gay and lesbian couples. First, the specific motives for these couples to seek help are discussed (i.e., issues related to homophobia, the lack of conjugal models, the "coming out" process, and the influence of socialization). Then, changes relating to issues relevant to some same sex couples brought to theoretical frameworks in psychology are explored. The frameworks that we examine are psychoanalytic, adlerian and cognitive behavioural. Finally, issues associated with HIV are discussed given its importance for die homosexual population and its impact on gay couples. This article, far from wanting to stigmatize even more homosexual couples, aims to support psychologists in their reflection and search for adequate interventions with this population that still... (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cultural differences,experience with social networks and the nature of “true commitment” in Facebook

Formed on an analysis of design practices, the behaviour chain model stipulates that social network designer’s ultimate aim is to encourage users to adopt the social network site by entering a phase of true commitment. During this phase, social network users are driven to connect to known or unknown others by engaging in instrumental uses that create value and content and involve others, while staying active and loyal by investing time in the site. This paper investigates how designer’s intentions, as captured by the behaviour chain model, materialise through users’ reported practices in the social network site Facebook. A total of 423 Facebook users from 5 countries answered a questionnaire that allowed us to examine how 2 user characteristics, experience with the site, and culture, shape the nature of true commitment. Our findings show that experience with the site and even more so, culture, have an effect on users’ motivations for using Facebook, as well as their instrumental uses and the time they invest on the site. This analysis reifies the behaviour chain model by allowing designers to understand how the features they design are embodied in users’ practices.     

Adaptive control scheme for uncertain time-delay systems

The paper exposes some of the potential of a recently introduced backstepping transformation for linear uncertain time-delay systems to address the classic problems of equilibrium regulation under partial measurements, disturbance rejection, parameter or delay adaptation. For each of these problems, an implementable control strategy is proposed. It is analyzed through a convergence analysis of infinite dimensional dynamics, based on a transport partial differential equation representation of the estimated input delay and the mentioned backstepping transformation. The considered controllers contain this representation of the system, under the form of a distributed parameter system, and use it to determine relevant adaptation strategies. An illustration example is proposed.     

Key Resources and Internationalization Modes of Creative Knowledge‐Intensive Business Services: The Case of Design Consultancies

In the ‘knowledge economy’, knowledge‐intensive business services (KIBS) are a key driver for innovation and competitiveness. The internationalization of these businesses raises challenges given their specificities such as knowledge intensity, the importance of customer interaction and intimacy in service delivery. This paper focuses on design consultancies as a specific type of creative KIBS for which these characteristics are emphasized. The objective of this research is to analyse the resources leveraged by the firms to compete internationally. It is based on 11 case studies of design consultancies located in five different countries (France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK) that were selected for their capacity to perform at the international level for several years. The paper advances three internationalization modes depending on contingent variables and focusing on specific resources that enable international competitiveness: star‐based, process‐based and glocality‐based. In star‐based creative KIBS, the individual designer has developed a reputation that attracts customers internationally, operating as a brand. In process‐based creative KIBS, the reputation of a collective creative process attracts clients from other countries. In glocality‐based creative KIBS, the geographical proximity obtained by opening international offices helps to develop a close understanding of the client through frequent interactions, and also to know the client's market well and to better understand local codes and signs. These modes complement those presented in the existing internationalization literature which takes the peculiarities of creative KIBS into consideration.     

An integral boundary layer engineering model for vortex generators implemented in XFOIL

To assess and optimize vortex generators (VGs) for flow separation control, the effect of these devices should be modelled in a cost and time efficient way. Therefore, it is of interest to extend integral boundary layer models to analyse the effect of VGs on airfoil performance. In this work, the turbulent boundary layer formulation is modified using a source term approach. An additional term is added to the shear‐lag equation, to account for the increased dissipation due to streamwise vortex action in the boundary layer, forcing transition at the VG leading edge where applicable. The source term is calibrated and a semi‐empirical relation is set up and implemented in XFOIL . The modified code is capable of addressing the effect of the VG height, length, inflow angle, and chordwise position on the airfoil's aerodynamic properties. The predicted polars for airfoils with VGs show a good agreement with reference data, and the code robustness is demonstrated by assessing different airfoil families at a wide range of Reynolds numbers.