Rethinking the Integrative Dimension of Theology with Science: Syntheses and Congruences

If we want to define today's society in one word, trying to capture its meaning, it would be polarization. The interdependence between all social segments, articulated by globalization, has a double function: unpacking the identitary elements that enter in the structure of society (religion, politics, culture, science, etc.) and framing them in a relational dynamic. In this situation are Theology and Science, which, of course, maintain a number of components under their general names. Can we talk about a congruence between these two dimensions of human knowledge? Or they are developing completely separately and antagonistic in social progress? According to Ian G. Barbour there are four types of relation between Science and Religion: conflict, independence, dialogue, integration. This article intends to highlight the congruence between Theology and Science in the paradigm of neo-patristic synthesis , which explores in a phenomenological, theological and philosophical way the relationship between these two. Neo-patristic synthesis is a theological movement from the 20th century, generated by the initiative of the orthodox theologian G. Florovsky.

Characterization of electrostatically defined bottom-heated InAs nanowire quantum dot systems

Conversion of temperature gradients to charge currents in quantum dot systems enables probing various concepts from highly efficient energy harvesting and fundamental thermodynamics to spectroscopic possibilities complementary to conventional bias device characterization. In this work, we present a proof-of-concept study of a device architecture where bottom-gates are capacitively coupled to an InAs nanowire and double function as local joule heaters. The device design combines the ability to heat locally at different locations on the device with the electrostatic definition of various quantum dot and barrier configurations. We demonstrate the versatility of this combined gating- and heating approach by studying, as a function of the heater location and bias, the Seebeck effect across the barrier-free nanowire, fit thermocurrents through quantum dots for thermometry and detect the phonon energy using a serial double quantum dot. The results indicate symmetric heating effects when the device is heated with different gates and we present detection schemes for the electronic and phononic heat transfer contribution across the nanowire. Based on this proof-of-principle work, we propose a variety of future experiments.

Poly(C)-binding Protein 2 Regulates the p53 Expression via Interactions with the 5′-Terminal Region of p53 mRNA

The p53 protein is one of the major transcriptional factors which guards cell homeostasis. Here, we showed that poly(C)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2) can bind directly to the 5′ terminus of p53 mRNA by means of electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Binding sites of PCBP2 within this region of p53 mRNA were mapped using Pb2+-induced cleavage and SAXS methods. Strikingly, the downregulation of PCBP2 in HCT116 cells resulted in a lower level of p53 protein under normal and stress conditions. Quantitative analysis of p53 mRNA in PCBP2-downregulated cells revealed a lower level of p53 mRNA under normal conditions suggesting the involvement of PCBP2 in p53 mRNA stabilisation. However, no significant change in p53 mRNA level was observed upon PCBP2 depletion under genotoxic stress. Moreover, a higher level of p53 protein in the presence of rapamycin or doxorubicin and the combination of both antibiotics was noticed in PCBP2-overexpressed cells compared to control cells. These observations indicate the potential involvement of PCBP2 in cap-independent translation of p53 mRNA especially occurring under stress conditions. It has been postulated that the PCBP2 protein is engaged in the enhancement of p53 mRNA stability, probably via interacting with its 3′ end. Our data show that under stress conditions PCBP2 also modulates p53 translation through binding to the 5′ terminus of p53 mRNA. Thus PCBP2 emerges as a double-function factor in the p53 expression.

A GDPase/UDPase Bifunctional Enzyme From Candida Albicans: Purification and Biochemical Characterization

The most frequently isolated human fungal pathogen is Candida albicans which is responsible for about 50% of all Candida infections. In healthy individuals, this organism resides as a part of the normal microbiota in equilibrium with the host. However, under certain conditions, particularly in immunocompromised patients, this opportunistic pathogen adheres to host cells causing serious systemic infections. Thus, much effort has been dedicated to the study of its physiology with emphasis on factors associated to pathogenicity. A representative analysis deals with the mechanisms of glycoprotein assembly as many cell surface antigens and other macromolecules that modulate the immune system fall within this chemical category. In this regard, studies of the terminal protein glycosylation stage which occurs in Golgi vesicles has led to the identification of nucleotidases that convert glycosyltransferase-generated dinucleotides into the corresponding mononucleotides, thus playing a double function: their activity prevent inhibition of further glycosyl transfer by the accumulation of dinucleotides and the resulting mononucleotides are exchanged by specific membrane transporters for equimolecular amounts of sugar donors from the cytosol. Here, using a simple protocol for protein separation we isolated a bifunctional nucleotidase from C. albicans active on GDP and UDP that was characterized in terms of its molecular mass, response to bivalent ions and other factors, substrate specificity and affinity. Results are discussed in terms of the similarities and differences of this nucleotidase with similar counterparts from other organisms thus contributing to the knowledge of a bifunctional diphosphatase not described before in C. albicans.

Music in the Protagonist’s World, the Protagonist in the World of Music: Liudmila Ulitskaya: The Big Green Tent

The article examines the musical component in L. Ulitskaya’s novel The Big Green Tent. The first part provides an overview of those musical elements – realities, prototypes of individual characters and pretexts with musical themes, with the help of which an autonomous world and the image of one of the main characters of the work are created. The second part analyzes a fragment of the novel, which mixes musical and literary principles of text organization and creates a multidimensional connection with S. Rakhmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. The analysis shows that the musical component in Ulitskaya's novel performs a double function – constructing one of the plot lines and musicalizing certain fragments of the text.

Family Canon: The Politics of Family during the Last Civic-Military Dictatorship in Argentina, 1976–83

On 24 March 1976 a military junta deposed President María Estela Martínez de Perón and assumed power in Argentina. From the first days of the takeover, the authorities worked vigorously to restore what they defined as legitimate Argentine values. This article shows how the family became a focal point of the government's efforts because of its double function as an agent of and a target for renovation. A microcosm of the Argentine nation, the family was considered the basic building block of society, a guarantor of the civic well-being of the nation and, as such, an important ally of the authoritarian state in the fight to restore Argentina's ‘traditional’ values. The analysis focuses on the civic-military regime's efforts to fashion a family canon, which would become the only legitimate version of the Argentine family, and the broad repertoire of strategies used to impose it on the Argentine population.

New coating formulation based on synthesized benzodiazepine derivatives as double function additives for industrial application

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a new protective coating formulation for industrial use, using benzodiazepine derivatives as double function additives. Design/methodology/approach Benzodiazepine’s derivatives of types (3–5) were prepared and confirmed by infrared, Mass, 1H-Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13C NMR spectra. The synthesized compound was physically incorporated in the alkyd paint formulation by pebble mill grinding until all particulates are smaller than 20 ums. The prepared coatings were applied by air spray on steel panels. The physical, mechanical characteristics, corrosion resistance and antimicrobial test of the prepared coatings were studied to evaluate the prepared compounds drawbacks. Findings The results of the mechanical and physical properties of the paint formulation revealed that the paint formulation incorporating benzodiazepines derivatives 3–5 performed best and improved corrosion-resistance and antibacterial activity tests. Research limitations/implications In alkyd paint, heterocyclic compounds are the most used antibacterial additives. Other functionalities of these compounds, such as corrosion inhibitors, might be studied to see if they are suited for these applications. Practical implications Because of the activity of various benzodiazepine derivatives, which may be attributable to the presence of some function groups such as sulfonamide aromatic amino NH2 group, and elements such as Sulphur, Nitrogen, Chlorine, in its chemical structure. As a result, paint compositions including these compounds as additives can be used as dual-purpose paint and for a variety of industrial applications. Originality/value The research demonstrates how a low-cost paint composition based on synthesized benzodiazepine derivatives 3–5 may be used as a dual-function paint for industrial use.

Originalität oder Epigonentum?

Julius Reubkes <Klaviersonate> gilt als getreues Abbild der <Sonate> h-Moll seines Lehrers Franz Liszt. Tatsächlich unterscheiden sich die beiden Werke deutlich voneinander: sowohl in ihrem Verhältnis zur Sonatenform als auch in Grundstruktur und Abwandlung ihrer Motive sowie der daraus resultierenden Dramaturgie. In der Kombination einer latenten "double-function"-Form mit einem systematisch verwendeten zyklischen Prinzip stellt Reubkes Werk einen originellen Beitrag zur Geschichte der Sonatenform dar, der auf die zyklische Sonate César Francks und die von ihr abgeleitete Theorie Vincent d'Indys vorausweist.

Field test investigation of the performance of corrosion inhibitors: a case study

Corrosion is considered one of the major problems that affect flow assurance during hydrocarbon production. This irreversible phenomenon has the ability to cause serious material failure in the oil and gas industry. Consequently, heavy capital and operational costs are required to prevent corrosion processes. Sweet corrosion of raw gas production facilities in an Algerian gas field manifests inside surface installations, which leads to gas production interruption and high intervention costs. To mitigate this type of corrosion, many methods can be applied such as the selection of appropriate materials, the injection of inhibitors, and the use of protective coating. In this work, the main points of gas production system that have been affected by corrosion and the inspection techniques used in the studied field were reviewed. Moreover, the efficiency of two types of two corrosion inhibitors (film-forming/neutralizing and film-forming chemicals) was studied by measuring the corrosion rate in the field and conducting chemical analyses on the produced water samples in the laboratory. The results of laboratory analyses regarding pH and iron content measurement point out that the injection of film-forming/neutralizing chemical significantly shifted the pH of the medium from acid to more neutral value and decreased the iron content, while the injection of film-forming inhibitor affected only the iron content by decreasing its tenor in the water samples. These results confirm the functions of each inhibitor to protect metal against internal corrosion. The comparison between the single- and double-function inhibitors reveals that the film-forming inhibitor (CK981DZ) outperforms the film-forming/ neutralizing chemical with an efficiency that exceeds 99% at low injection rate. Moreover, it provides good compatibility and stability all through its injection path. Meanwhile, the application of double function inhibitor (film-forming/neutralizing) significantly reduced the corrosion rate of carbon steel structures, but it involved the formation of deposits in the gas processing plant. The findings from this study can help give a better understanding of the methodology of corrosion inhibitor performance evaluation in real condition of gas production, also the criteria of inhibitor screening based on laboratory and field tests.