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In this paper, we study existence of solutions to the scalar additive Jump problem and the Riemann boundary value problems in the context of vectorial Clifford analysis on domains with fractal boundaries. A reduction procedure is applied with great effectiveness to find the solution of the problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the theory and practice associated with the torsional quartz-crystal viscometer for the measurement of the viscosity of Newtonian Fluids. It is an instrument that has been less often used than its quality merits, but it has the distinct advantages, shared with the vibrating-wire device, that it involves no bulk motion of fluid or a solid and that all measurements can be electrical. The temperature range that can be covered by the instrument is from 2 to 650 K and pressures have reached as much as 100 MPa. The review summarizes the most recent theory of the instrument and carefully sets out all of the many conditions that have to be satisfied by design so that a practical instrument conforms to the theory. Most of the conditions are readily satisfied. Two working equations are presented that could be used to evaluate the viscosity using the frequency at resonance of the crystal and the bandwidth of that resonance when the crystal is immersed in the fluid and in vacuo. It is explained that at present only one of these equations should be used for the evaluation. Several configurations of instruments that have been employed for measurements over a wide range of conditions are briefly described as well as the corrections necessary to operate the instrument with the highest accuracy. The overall relative uncertainty attainable with the instrument ranges from 0.005 to 0.02 at a 95% confidence level, depending upon the fluid density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of metal ions on the structure of amyloid- β (Aβ) protofibril models was studied through molecular dynamics to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying metal-induced Aβ aggregation relevant in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The models included 36-, 48-, and 188-mers of the Aβ42 sequence and two disease-modifying variants. Primary structural effects were observed at the N-terminal domain, as it became susceptible to the presence of cations. Specially when β-sheets predominate, this motif orients N-terminal acidic residues toward one single face of the β-sheet, resulting in the formation of an acidic region that attracts cations from the media and promotes the folding of the N-terminal region, with implications in amyloid aggregation. The molecular phenotype of the protofibril models based on Aβ variants shows that the AD-causative D7N mutation promotes the formation of N-terminal β-sheets and accumulates more Zn2+, in contrast to the non-amyloidogenic rodent sequence that hinders the β-sheets and is more selective for Na+ over Zn2+ cations. It is proposed that forming an acidic β-sheet domain and accumulating cations is a plausible molecular mechanism connecting the elevated affinity and concentration of metals in Aβ fibrils to their high content of β-sheet structure at the N-terminal sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mosquito borne viruses, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and Chikungunya, cause millions of infections every year. These viruses are mostly transmitted by two urban-adapted mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Although mechanistic understanding remains largely unknown, Aedes mosquitoes may have unique adaptations that lower the impact of viral infection. Recently, we reported the identification of an Aedes specific double-stranded RNA binding protein (dsRBP), named Loqs2, that is involved in the control of infection by dengue and Zika viruses in mosquitoes. Preliminary analyses suggested that the loqs2 gene is a paralog of loquacious (loqs) and r2d2, two co-factors of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, a major antiviral mechanism in insects. Results: Here we analyzed the origin and evolution of loqs2. Our data suggest that loqs2 originated from two independent duplications of the first double-stranded RNA binding domain of loqs that occurred before the origin of the Aedes Stegomyia subgenus, around 31 million years ago. We show that the loqs2 gene is evolving under relaxed purifying selection at a faster pace than loqs, with evidence of neofunctionalization driven by positive selection. Accordingly, we observed that Loqs2 is localized mainly in the nucleus, different from R2D2 and both isoforms of Loqs that are cytoplasmic. In contrast to r2d2 and loqs, loqs2 expression is stage- and tissue-specific, restricted mostly to reproductive tissues in adult Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Transgenic mosquitoes engineered to express loqs2 ubiquitously undergo developmental arrest at larval stages that correlates with massive dysregulation of gene expression without major effects on microRNAs or other endogenous small RNAs, classically associated with RNA interference. Conclusions: Our results uncover the peculiar origin and neofunctionalization of loqs2 driven by positive selection. This study shows an example of unique adaptations in Aedes mosquitoes that could ultimately help explain their effectiveness as virus vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The teaching process in medicine has challenges that can induce academic stress and thus affect mental health, so it is essential to take care of the mental health of future physicians. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the mental health of medical students at a private university in Colombia, adjusted for academic stress. Using a cross-sectional design, 443 students were recruited (68.4% women, 31.6% men) who completed a questionnaire with sociodemographic and academic variables, the Systemic Cognitive Inventory for the Study of Academic Stress and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised inventory. Risk factors were analyzed using a Generalized Linear Model by Poisson family and log link. Thirty-eight point three percent of the students presented a level of mental health risk. Protective factors included regular physical activity (RPa = 0.78) and extracurricular activities (RPa = 0.75), while risk factors were psychoactive substance use (RPa = 1.36), energy drinks (RPa = 1.35) and having an alternative occupation to studying (RPa = 1.47). The study provided information on the need for intervention in factors beyond academic stress, seeking to maintain the well-being of students and thus avoid academic dropout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two geophysical expeditions (LOMROG II and III) were carried out in 2009 and 2012 to acquire seismic data in the western Amundsen Basin in the Arctic Ocean, a basin formed by ultraslow seafloor spreading at the Gakkel Ridge. Previous studies show alternating magmatic and amagmatic segments at the ridge but it is unclear if such segmentation persisted throughout the entire opening history of the basin. The seismic refraction data were used to develop P -wave velocity models down to the uppermost mantle using forward modelling of traveltimes. The coincident seismic reflection data were used to constrain the geometry of the sedimentary layers and for characterizing the acoustic basement. 2-D gravity modelling was used to determine the Moho depth in areas when data quality was insufficient to resolve a Moho reflection. The models distinguish three different basement types: oceanic crust with layers 2 and 3, oceanic crust that is lacking a layer 3 and exhumed and serpentinized mantle. The maximum observed crustal thickness is 6 km. Areas with thin crust (<3 km) may be underlain by partially serpentinized mantle. Where exhumed mantle is observed, a serpentinization front separates highly serpentinized mantle at the top from partially serpentinized mantle below. The presence of oceanic crust off-axis of the presently amagmatic sector of the Gakkel Ridge indicates that there is both a spatial and temporal variation of crustal accretion processes at the ridge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the numerical approximation of the inverse scattering problem in the two-dimensional homogeneous isotropic linear elasticity with an unknown linear load given by a square matrix. For both backscattering data and fixed-angle scattering data, we show how to obtain numerical approximations of the so-called Born approximations and propose new iterative algorithms that provide sequences of approximations to the unknown load. Numerical evidences of the convergence for not too large loads are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed a quantitative multiscale model that describes the epigenetic dynamics during the growth and evolution of an avascular tumor. A gene regulatory network (GRN) formed by a set of ten genes that are believed to play an important role in breast cancer development was kinetically coupled to the microenvironmental agents: glucose, estrogens, and oxygen. The dynamics of spontaneous mutations was described by a Yule-Furry master equation whose solution represents the probability that a given cell in the tissue undergoes a certain number of mutations at a given time. We assumed that the mutation rate is modified by a spatial gradient of nutrients. The tumor mass was simulated by means of cellular automata supplemented with a set of reaction diffusion equations that described the transport of microenvironmental agents. By analyzing the epigenetic state space described by the GRN dynamics, we found three attractors that were identified with cellular epigenetic states: normal, precancer and cancer. For two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) tumors we calculated the spatial distribution of the following quantities: (i) number of mutations, (ii) mutation of each gene and, (iii) phenotypes. Using estrogen as the principal microenvironmental agent that regulates cells proliferation process, we obtained tumor shapes for different values of estrogen consumption and supply rates. It was found that he majority of mutations occurred in cells that were located close to the 2D tumor perimeter or close to the 3D tumor surface. Also, it was found that the occurrence of different phenotypes in the tumor are controlled by estrogen concentration levels since they can change the individual cell threshold and gene expression levels. All results were consistently observed for 2D and 3D tumors. Author summary: We introduce and analyze in detail a 2D and 3D quantitative multiscale model that describes the growth and epigenetic evolution of an avascular breast tumor. We obtain series of microarrays that describe the activation/inhibit levels of a group of genes that respond to the occurrence of oxygen and estrogen concentration gradients. We identify three cell phenotypes: normal, precancer and cancer, that are crucial to understand the tumor structure, the spatial distribution of mutations and the tumor heterogeneity. Finally, we found that the estrogen concentration gradients are related to the variation of gene expression levels and phenotypes occurrence. These findings strongly suggest that it is possible to develop epigenetic cancer treatment alternatives to either stop or reverse tumor evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi‐batch reanalysis approach of jointly reevaluating gene/genome sequences from different works has gained particular relevance in the literature in recent years. The large amount of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequence data stored in public repositories and information in taxonomic databases of the same gene far exceeds that related to complete genomes. This review is intended to guide researchers new to studying microbiota, particularly the oral microbiota, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and those who want to expand and update their knowledge to optimise their decision‐making and improve their research results. First, we describe the advantages and disadvantages of using the 16S rRNA gene as a phylogenetic marker and the latest findings on the impact of primer pair selection on diversity and taxonomic assignment outcomes in oral microbiome studies. Strategies for primer selection based on these results are introduced. Second, we identified the key factors to consider in selecting the sequencing technology and platform. The process and particularities of the main steps for processing 16S rRNA gene‐derived data are described in detail to enable researchers to choose the most appropriate bioinformatics pipeline and analysis methods based on the available evidence. We then produce an overview of the different types of advanced analyses, both the most widely used in the literature and the most recent approaches. Several indices, metrics and software for studying microbial communities are included, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Considering the principles of clinical metagenomics, we conclude that future research should focus on rigorous analytical approaches, such as developing predictive models to identify microbiome‐based biomarkers to classify health and disease states. Finally, we address the batch effect concept and the microbiome‐specific methods for accounting for or correcting them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphingolipids (SLs) are essential components of all eukaryotic cellular membranes. In fungi, plants and many protozoa, the primary SL is inositol-phosphorylceramide (IPC). Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease (CD), a chronic illness for which no vaccines or effective treatments are available. IPC synthase (IPCS) has been considered an ideal target enzyme for drug development because phosphoinositol-containing SL is absent in mammalian cells and the enzyme activity has been described in all parasite forms of T. cruzi. Furthermore, IPCS is an integral membrane protein conserved amongst other kinetoplastids, including Leishmania major, for which specific inhibitors have been identified. Using a CRISPR-Cas9 protocol, we generated T. cruzi knockout (KO) mutants in which both alleles of the IPCS gene were disrupted. We demonstrated that the lack of IPCS activity does not affect epimastigote proliferation or its susceptibility to compounds that have been identified as inhibitors of the L. major IPCS. However, disruption of the T. cruzi IPCS gene negatively affected epimastigote differentiation into metacyclic trypomastigotes as well as proliferation of intracellular amastigotes and differentiation of amastigotes into tissue culture-derived trypomastigotes. In accordance with previous studies suggesting that IPC is a membrane component essential for parasite survival in the mammalian host, we showed that T. cruzi IPCS null mutants are unable to establish an infection in vivo, even in immune deficient mice. Author summary: Trypanosoma cruzi is a vector-borne parasite that causes Chagas disease (CD), an illness that affects 6–8 million people worldwide and results in approximately 50,000 deaths per year. Transmitted by more than 100 species of triatomine insects, T. cruzi has a complex life cycle that includes parasite forms that proliferate in the gut of the insect vector (epimastigotes) and in the cytoplasm of infected mammalian cells (amastigotes). To be transmitted to mammals, epimastigotes must differentiate into metacyclic trypomastigotes, and to infect new mammalian cells, amastigotes must differentiate into bloodstream trypomastigotes. Sphingolipids (SLs) are essential components of all eukaryotic cellular membranes and are present in all forms of T. cruzi as part of various cell surface molecules involved in host-parasite interactions. Different from mammals, in which sphingomyelin is the main SL, T. cruzi synthesizes inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) and, because of that, enzymes of the SL biosynthetic pathway have been considered potential targets for the development of new treatments for CD. By disrupting the gene encoding the T. cruzi IPC synthase, we showed that parasite differentiation from epimastigotes into metacyclic trypomastigotes and from amastigotes to bloodstream forms are affected and, as a consequence, these knockout cell lines are unable to establish an infection in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the energy crisis that some countries are facing nowadays, the gasification process appears to be a good alternative to produce some energy from solid materials. Increasingly, gasification involves using wastes as a solid fuel, making the process green and reusing some materials that otherwise could end up in a landfill. However, the process of finding the best gasification parameters of a sample can be very expensive and time-consuming. In this sense, a refuse-derived fuel (RDF) char produced from an original RDF under 30 min at 400 °C was tested on a small-scale reactor using macro thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), as presented in this paper. The goal was to study and evaluate the devolatilization and residual carbon rate of the sample under several conditions and, at the same time, quantify and analyze the released gas. In the first round of tests, 5, 10, and 20 g of samples were tested at 750 °C with an excess of air coefficient (λ) = 0 and 0.2. It was possible to conclude that the lower the mass, the higher the devolatilization rate. The λ only had an influence on the devolatilization rate with a 20 g sample. Regarding the gas, CO, CO2, and H2 had no variation in the sample mass in contrast to CH4, which increased with the increase in the sample mass. The second round of tests was performed with samples of 10 g of mass at temperatures of 700, 800, and 900 °C and λ values of 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25. The tests indicated that the temperature influenced the devolatilization rate but not the residual carbon combustion rate. Regarding the gas composition, CH4, CO2, and CO followed the same trend, decreasing the concentration with the increase in temperature; in contrast, H2 increased in concentration with an increase in temperature. The heating value of the gas followed the same behavior as CH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competency-based training is a learning model based on a constructivist perspective of education. This approach is important in training processes, especially in the area of formative research. The present study was developed through the application of a survey designed ad hoc of perception of students who completed their training in the area of research. The sample (N=278) is made up of civilians and military personnel from postgraduate programs at the Escuela Superior de Guerra. It is concluded that students’ competencies are essential to promote the generation of new knowledge. It is essential for higher education institutions to carry out diagnoses to identify strengths and weaknesses based on the students’ perceptions, who are essential actors in the training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze the importance of the symbolism behind the consumption of specialty coffees. The research highlights the importance of discussions in the contemporary academic field of marketing and management aimed at understanding consumer behaviour. Therefore, this article describes a descriptive and qualitative study in which a group of consumers of specialty coffees from Lavras, south of Minas Gerais, was interviewed to understand what leads them to consume this product. What are the symbolic values that move them to make this choice? In-depth interviews were conducted using a completion test as a projective technique, followed by content analysis using the Bardin method. Having analyzed the interviews, we now understand that consumption is a process of dynamic choice composed of different steps, each with particular characteristics. In addition, it was possible to identify three groups of consumers, which, according to the respondents' answers, would be guided by quality, experiences or status. In the end, it was observed that the influence of symbolic factors was decisive in the consumption of the product in question--specialty coffees--and influenced not only the purchase of the product but also the loyalty of the consumer and the fact that he/she becomes an influencer of future consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins and peptides are fundamental components of the cereals, pseudocereals, and legumes, giving them numerous health-beneficial properties. Previous studies have demonstrated that these molecules exerted effects on current therapeutic targets related to type 2 diabetes mellitus, such as incretin hormones (responsible for appetite suppression), dipeptidyl peptidase IV (an enzyme involved in the inactivation and degradation of the incretin hormones), and glucose transporters (molecules that transport glucose in or out of cells). Therefore, this review presents the current biological activity of protein derivatives and peptides isolated from cereals, pseudocereals, and legumes on these therapeutic markers, highlighting their potential as a possible pharmacological treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In malignant hypertension, far more severe kidney injury occurs than in the "benign" form of the disease. The role of high blood pressure and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is well recognized, but the pathogenesis of the renal injury of malignant hypertension (MH) remains incompletely understood. Using the rat model of two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension in which some but not all animals develop MH, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of gene expression by RNA sequencing to identify transcriptional changes in the kidney cortex specific for MH. Differential gene expression was assessed in three groups: MH, non-malignant hypertension (NMH), and normotensive, sham-operated controls. To distinguish MH from NMH, we considered two factors: weight loss and typical renovascular lesions. Mean blood pressure measured intraarterially was elevated in MH (220 ± 6.5 mmHg) as well as in NMH (192 ± 6.4 mmHg), compared to controls (119 ± 1.7 mmHg, p < 0.05). Eight hundred eighty-six genes were exclusively regulated in MH only. Principal component analysis revealed a separated clustering of the three groups. The data pointed to an upregulation of many inflammatory mechanisms in MH including pathways which previously attracted relatively little attention in the setting of hypertensive kidney injury: Transcripts from all three complement activation pathways were upregulated in MH compared to NMH but not in NMH compared with controls; immunohistochemistry confirmed complement deposition in MH exclusively. The expression of chemokines attracting neutrophil granulocytes (CXCL6) and infiltration of myeloperoxidase-positive cells were increased only in MH rats. The data suggest that these pathways, especially complement deposition, may contribute to kidney injury under MH. Key messages: The most severe hypertension-induced kidney injury occurs in malignant hypertension. In a rat model of malignant hypertension, we assessed transcriptional responses in the kidney exposed to high blood pressure. A broad stimulation of inflammatory mechanisms was observed, but a few specific pathways were activated only in the malignant form of the disease, notably activation of the complement cascades. Complement inhibitors may alleviate the thrombotic microangiopathy of malignant hypertension even in the absence of primary complement abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the harvest month and age of the leaves of Gymnopodium floribundum on the content of polyphenolic compounds (total phenols (TP), total tannins (TT) and condensed tannins (CT)) of methanol:water extracts was determined. In addition, the biological activity of polyphenols measured as the ability to precipitate protein (PP), inhibit egg hatching (EH), and larval exsheathment (LEI) of Haemonchus contortus was determined. G. floribundum leaves were harvested in 4 mo of the year: December, March, June and September. Twenty -four methanol:water extracts (70:30) were obtained, 12 produced from leaves of varied age (VA) and 12 from 90 - d - old leaves (A90). All extracts caused similar PP regardless of age and harvest month. EH inhibition was only significant for December VA extract ( EC 50 = 374.4 μg/m L ; P <0.05). A90 leaf extracts showed a EC 50 > 1, 500 μg/m L in December, June and September. Although all extracts inhibited larval exsheathment (LEI), the lowest EC 50 was that of the VA leaf extract of June ( EC 50 = 80.4 μg/m L ; P <0.05). Incubation of extracts with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) limited LEI ( P <0.05), but polyphenols only explained part of that activity. In conclusion, the CT content of G. floribundum leaf extracts depends on their age and harvest month. Polyphenols showed PP activity and were partially associated with LEI. However, polyphenols do not explain the activity against H. contortus eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipases are enzymes which catalyze chemical reactions, especially lipidic bonds. Enzymes may be retrieved from lipolytic fungi which produce high rates of lipases from a carbon source. Fungus previously selected from sugarcane bagasse underwent submersed fermentation with extra-virgin olive oil as the carbon source. Broth produced by the fungus was analyzed by spectrophotometry with substrate p-NPB and results were analyzed at 5% level. Current assay identified fungus which was capable of growth in a mineral medium with sole lipid carbon source and quantifies specific activities of lipases by substrate p-NPB. Best rates of specific lipid activities of the three fungi were 8.004 U mg-1, 5.897 U mg-1, 5.077 U mg-1, for fungus Paecilomyces formosus (first isolate), Paecilomyces formosus (second isolate) and Aspergillus tubingensis, which are rates cited for the first time for the three fungi. When compared to other microorganisms in the literature, they are higher and more active to be used in industrial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Petrowsky type equation y t t ε + ε y x x x x ε − y x x ε = 0 , ε > 0 encountered in linear beams theory is null controllable through Neumann boundary controls. Due to the boundary layer of size of order ε occurring at the extremities, these boundary controls get singular as ε goes to 0. Using the matched asymptotic method, we describe the boundary layer of the solution y ε and derive a rigorous second order asymptotic expansion of the control of minimal weighted L 2 -norm, with respect to the parameter ε. The weight in the norm is chosen to guarantee the smoothness of the control. In particular, we recover and enrich earlier results due to J.-L. Lions in the eighties showing that the leading term of the expansion is a null Dirichlet control for the limit hyperbolic wave equation. The asymptotic analysis also provides a robust discrete approximation of the control for any ε small enough. Numerical experiments support our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a numerical method to approximate the exact averaged boundary control of a family of wave equations depending on an unknown parameter σ. More precisely the control, independent of σ, that drives an initial data to a family of final states at time t = T, whose average in σ is given. The idea is to project the control problem in the finite dimensional space generated by the first N eigenfunctions of the Laplace operator. When applied to a single (nonparametric) wave equation, the resulting discrete control problem turns out to be equivalent to the Galerkin approximation proposed by F. Bourquin et al. [C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris313 I (1991) 757–760]. We give a convergence result of the discrete controls to the continuous one. The method is illustrated with several examples in 1-d and 2-d in a square domain and allows us to give some conjectures on the averaged controllability for the continuous problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipidomics is a subdiscipline of metabolomics yet has established itself as an independent "-omics" sector for better coverage of lipids. A number of different workflows are routinely used, each of which has its advantages and drawbacks. This article will highlight the benefits of untargeted UHPLC-MS/MS lipidomics with data independent acquisition (DIA) using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment-ion spectra (SWATH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the concept of a "THz-wireless fiber extender," we can combine the flexibility of wireless networks with the high capacity of fiber optic communication. The availability of a large, contiguous bandwidth in the frequency band around 300 GHz creates the opportunity to seamlessly interconnect coherent THz-wireless and fiber optic transceiver frontends using a transparent, analog baseband interface. In this article, we discuss this concept in more detail and report on the recent demonstration of a real-time, short-range THz-wireless fiber extender with 100 Gb/s net capacity. This combined fiber optic/THz-wireless transmission system is operated by a high-speed fiber optic real-time modem, which is capable of compensating the channel impairments of both the optical and THz-wireless links. In addition, we discuss the potential of THz-wireless links to achieve long-range transmission distances by reporting on the operation of a 500-m-long line-of-sight THz-wireless outdoor link in Berlin, Germany. We analyze the effect of weather conditions on the transmission performance and determine the maximum physical layer net data rate of the system by means of various modulation formats and symbol rates. Finally, we summarize all of our recent high-capacity experiments using THz-wireless transmission, including a field trial with a 1-km-long link, and compare our results to theoretical limits and achieved data rates in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between international humanitarian law and the development of military operations to analyze the current state of that relationship and project future scenarios in which those operations will take place and their new challenges. To this end, the article assumes a qualitative methodology and is developed in three sections: 1) definition of a military operation; 2) international humanitarian law and its role in the framework of military operations is defined; and 3) finally, in prospective, future scenarios of military operations and their relationship with international humanitarian law are considered in four dimensions: land, sea, air, and cyberspace. This prospective study focuses on the Colombian case, emphasizing on the National Army. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a uniqueness result in dimensions 3 for the inverse fixed angle scattering problem associated to the Schrödinger operator - Δ + q {-\Delta+q} , where q is a small real-valued potential with compact support in the Sobolev space W β , 2 {W^{\beta,2}} , with β > 0. {\beta>0.} This result improves the known result [P. Stefanov, Generic uniqueness for two inverse problems in potential scattering, Comm. Partial Differential Equations 17 1992, 55–68], in the sense that almost no regularity is required for the potential. The uniqueness result still holds in dimension 4, but for more regular potentials in W β , 2 {W^{\beta,2}} , with β > 2 / 3 {\beta>2/3}. The proof is a consequence of the reconstruction method presented in our previous work, [J. A. Barceló, C. Castro, T. Luque and M. C. Vilela, A new convergent algorithm to approximate potentials from fixed angle scattering data, SIAM J. Appl. Math. 78 2018, 2714–2736]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new grid operation constraints, allied to the substation automation and intelligence, require the state estimation (SE) to work even more efficiently, with reliability and accuracy. The proposed method for optimally allocating existing phasor measurement unit (PMU) channels and their resources at substations ensures reliability in the SE process even in cases of equipment malfunctioning, and guarantees the quality improvement of the SE. The proposed algorithm has two stages. In the first stage, a genetic algorithm optimally allocates the PMUs. In the second stage, a heuristic method optimises measurement and channel allocation. Equipment failure, missing data, observability issues, methods to reduce critical sets in SE results to preserve the system's observability, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2002 Cuban government published a document that made explicit the need to "restructure" the sugar field. Dozens of mills were then disarmed and dismantled, leaving the bateyes without what brought "life" and gave "movement" to them. In this article, I intend to show how this process of both "restructuring" and "deterioration" was perceived, evaluated and surpassed by the people who were directly affected by it. I conjugate, in a kind of description built on contrasts, the perspectives of the State - represented by the programs of action and the construction of an idea of "efficiency" - and those of the inhabitants from different areas that made their living from sugar production, for whom the formulation of temporalities and the manipulation of materials appear as ways of readjusting a broken world. From beginning to end, I indicate how sugar, embodied in ruinations, is a long-lived substance that produces landscapes and modifies subjectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here is described an action research experience in which we study how the participant vocational training students use non textual modes of scientific knowledge representation in the presentations that they elaborate in order to be exposed to their classmates. We study in those non textual modes their type, integration and power of summarize information, and, as we found aspects to improve, we deepen through a case study. We conclude that the use of non textual modes of scientific knowledge representation can allow relevant progresses related to scientific literacy in communicative terms referred to expressing and sharing knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cerrado has many plant species, including Cochlospermum regium. Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant, total and physicochemical composition of the methanolic extracts of the rhizome, twig and leaves of C. regium. Plant materials were collected in a Cerrado ralo in Goiás, Brazil. The methanolic extracts were prepared and analyzed for phytochemical composition, hemolytic activity, physicochemical, antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The results were positive for the compounds: glycosides, alkaloids, organic acids, sugars, hemolytic saponins, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, catechins, depsidones and depsidones, benzoquinones, coumarins, anthraquinones, steroids, triterpenoids and sesquiterpenolactones. Hemolytic activity was intense in extracts. The pH values were 5.50; 5.59 and 5.14 and densities of 0.899; 0.872 and 0.875 g/m³ for rhizome, twigs and leaves, respectively. The antioxidant activity was 58.85 and 82.11% for rhizome and branches, respectively, for the leaf extract there was no reduction of the DPPH radical. The content of phenolic compounds was 9.77; 6.52 and 7.31 mg GAE 100 g-1 for extracts of rhizome, twig and leaves, respectively. The methanolic extracts of C. regium presented different groups of compounds, and can be used in natural products for the agricultural, food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this note is to correct the statement of Theorem 1.1 in [J. A. Barceló et al., SIAM J. Appl. Math., 78 (2018), pp. 2714--2736] which consider any dimension d ≥ 2, since the proof given fails in dimension d = 2. The gap in the proof is in Lemma 2.5 of [J. A. Barceló et al., SIAM J. Appl. Math., 78 (2018), pp. 2714--2736] where an estimate for the resolvent of the Laplace operator (Δ + k²)-1 in Rd is stated for k small and any dimension d ≥ 2. However, this estimate is only true for d ≥ 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the design of 1‐phenylbenzimidazoles as model cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, docking to a series of crystallographic COX structures was performed to evaluate their potential for high‐affinity binding and to reproduce the interaction profile of well‐known COX inhibitors. The effect of ligand‐specific induced fit on the calculations was also studied. To quantitatively compare the pattern of interactions of model compounds to the profile of several cocrystallized COX inhibitors, a geometric parameter, denominated ligand‐receptor contact distance (LRCD), was developed. The interaction profile of several model complexes showed similarity to the profile of COX complexes with inhibitors such as iodosuprofen, iodoindomethacin, diclofenac, and flurbiprofen. Shaping of high‐affinity binding sites upon ligand‐specific induced fit mostly determined both the affinity and the binding mode of the ligands in the docking calculations. The results suggest potential of 1‐phenylbenzimidazole derivatives as COX inhibitors on the basis of their predicted affinity and interaction profile to COX enzymes. The analyses also provided insights into the role of induced fit in COX enzymes. While inhibitors produce different local structural changes at the COX ligand binding site, induced fit allows inhibitors in diverse chemical classes to share characteristic interaction patterns that ensure key contacts to be achieved. Different interaction patterns may also be associated with different inhibitory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The selection of primer pairs in sequencing-based research can greatly influence the results, highlighting the need for a tool capable of analysing their performance in-silico prior to the sequencing process. We therefore propose PrimerEvalPy, a Python-based package designed to test the performance of any primer or primer pair against any sequencing database. The package calculates a coverage metric and returns the amplicon sequences found, along with information such as their average start and end positions. It also allows the analysis of coverage for different taxonomic levels. Results: As a case study, PrimerEvalPy was used to test the most commonly used primers in the literature against two oral 16S rRNA gene databases containing bacteria and archaea. The results showed that the most commonly used primer pairs in the oral cavity did not match those with the highest coverage. The best performing primer pairs were found for the detection of oral bacteria and archaea. Conclusions: This demonstrates the importance of a coverage analysis tool such as PrimerEvalPy to find the best primer pairs for specific niches. The software is available under the MIT licence at https://gitlab.citius.usc.es/lara.vazquez/PrimerEvalPy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oscillating-body viscometers have been used in the past to measure, in an absolute way, the viscosity of molten materials at high temperatures, from salts, metals, alloys, and semiconductors. However, the simultaneous use of basic or incomplete mathematical models, to mimic the experiment, and less careful engineering solutions for the design and operation of the instruments, led in the past to high discrepancies between the data obtained in several laboratories. This was caused by the incorrect use of the method's theory, less accurate solutions of the complex solutions, that involve solid state and fluid mechanics, and unreal instrument design. From these types of viscometers, oscillating-cup instruments have had the most success in measuring viscosity at high temperatures, and they will be the object of this paper. It was written as a resource for workers interested in transport properties of materials when considering its use for the absolute measurement of fluids viscosity in their work, or in judging the results of others' work when comparing data with their own. The paper starts with the most accurate theory of the method's description, followed by a discussion of its validity, application to instrument design, and consequent operation. Several constraints were identified and recommendations were made to minimize the effects of failing to satisfy them. Finally, a discussion about the uncertainty budget calculations for a real experiment is made. If all these points are followed in the design and operation of the instrument, results in global uncertainties Ur(η) between 0.02 and 0.04 are possible to obtain, up to high temperatures. If these constraints are not satisfied, erroneous measurements can be made, making comparisons and quality assessment difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a computer simulation study of the ion binding process at an ionizable surface using a semi-grand canonical Monte Carlo method that models the surface as a discrete distribution of charged and neutral functional groups in equilibrium with explicit ions modelled in the context of the primitive model. The parameters of the simulation model were tuned and checked by comparison with experimental titrations of carboxylated latex particles in the presence of different ionic strengths of monovalent ions. The titration of these particles was analysed by calculating the degree of dissociation of the latex functional groups vs. pH curves at different background salt concentrations. As the charge of the titrated surface changes during the simulation, a procedure to keep the electroneutrality of the system is required. Here, two approaches are used with the choice depending on the ion selected to maintain electroneutrality: counterion or coion procedures. We compare and discuss the difference between the procedures. The simulations also provided a microscopic description of the electrostatic double layer (EDL) structure as a function of pH and ionic strength. The results allow us to quantify the effect of the size of the background salt ions and of the surface functional groups on the degree of dissociation. The non-homogeneous structure of the EDL was revealed by plotting the counterion density profiles around charged and neutral surface functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in multistable structures. In most cases it is attained by a sequence of bistable elements. However, little is known on their nonlinear static and dynamic responses. In this work a detailed static and dynamic nonlinear analysis of a multistable structural system consisting of two coupled bistable von Mises trusses is conducted to enlighten the complex behavior of these systems. For this, the exact nonlinear equilibrium equations and equations of motion in their dimensionless forms are obtained through the principle of stationary potential energy and Hamilton's principle, respectively, considering a linear elastic material. Using continuation algorithms, the nonlinear equilibrium paths are obtained. The stability of each configuration is analyzed using the principle of minimum potential energy. Multiple equilibrium paths of the coupled system are identified, leading to several coexisting stable and unstable solutions, bifurcations and potential wells which are closely connected to the symmetries of the system. It is shown that the number of coexisting solutions increases exponentially with the number of bistable units. The effect of unavoidable imperfections is also clarified. The nonlinear dynamics and bifurcations of the system under harmonic forcing and static pre-load are then studied. Bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré maps and cross-sections of the basins of attraction are used to study the influence of coexisting attractors due to multiple potential wells, resonances and bifurcations. The coexisting responses can merge giving rise to several types of cross-well motions, the threshold value being closely connected with the limit point load of the coupled system. The increase in coexisting solutions leads to increasingly complex basins of attraction with broad fractal regions. On the one hand, the complexity of the bifurcation scenarios seems valuable in several applications to encode information, to respond to external forcing and to switch between different states. On the other hand, multiple attractors and their fractal basins can lead to the loss of global stability and dynamic integrity due to the small uncorrupted basins surrounding each attractor. Thus, the knowledge of the static and dynamic behavior of multistable systems is of great significance to either inducing or avoiding this phenomenon or making use of it. • Analysis of a multistable system consisting of two coupled von Mises trusses. • Influence of the multi-well potential function on static and dynamic responses. • Computation of bifurcations and multiple nonlinear stable/unstable equilibrium paths. • Detailed nonlinear vibration and coexisting bifurcation sequences. • Relevant basins of attraction clarify the robustness of the coexisting attractors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids have been shown to be effective and safe for the treatment of allergic rhinitis; however, the evidence suggests a level of superiority of corticosteroids, so they should be preferred over the former. Objective To know the prescription profile of two second generation antihistamines (cetirizine and levocetirizine) and two nasal corticosteroids (mometasone and furoateciclesonide) in a cohort of patients with allergic rhinitis, and to compare the clinical outcomes obtained. Methods A cohort study was carried including patients with allergic rhinitis treated with cetirizine, levocetirizine, mometasone furoate or ciclesonide. The improvement was evaluated with the total nasal symptoms score (TNSS). This scale yields results between 0 and 12. Zero indicates absence of symptoms. Results A total of 314 patients completed 12 weeks of follow-up. Seventy-five percent were treated with antihistamines, 20% with corticosteroids, and 5% with a combination of the above. The TNSS median for corticosteroid was 2.5 points; for antihistamines, its was 5 points, and for combination, it was 4 points. We found differences between corticosteroids and antihistamines. Conclusion The prescription percentage of second generation oral antihistamines is higher than that of intranasal corticosteroids. However, patients with allergic rhinitis treated with the second option obtained better control of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the process of Northeast Pará's colonization and territorial formation becomes very important for interpretation of spatial phenomena that perpetuate themselves in this spatial context. Thereby, it is necessary to emphasize the strategic value that the territory of former district of Cintra (nowadays municipality of Maracanã) had in Bragantine Zone's colonization process. Thus, this paper aims to show the main territorial dynamics responsible for the Maracanã's territorial formation process, taking especially into account the transport system as a structuring means of spatial relations. Fort that, we used qualitative research that helped us about bibliographic survey, collecting public institutions data, as well as in the field works made in 2016 and 2017. This data allied to cartography tools and geoprocessing of images allowed the confections of cartographic representations, essential to analysis of this subject. Last, we concluded that in order to understand Northeast Pará's spatial structuring and fragmentation process, especially in Bragantine Zone, we must consider local hegemonic agents intentionalities, who make constant socio-spatial changes according to their interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This article describes the synthesis, characterization and in vivo cytotoxic evaluation of thiol-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs). They have been employed as potential vehicles for a large number of biomedical applications, such as drug delivery. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation of iron salts and coated with L-cysteine. The physicochemical, morphological, and magnetic properties of Cys-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were characterized by different experimental techniques. To evaluate their applicability in nanomedicine we evaluated their cytotoxicity using Balb/C mice. The results show that Cys-SPIONs are good candidates as nanocarriers in biomedical applications. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Cys-Fe3O4 shows superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. • Cys-Fe3O4 NPs show good colloidal stability. • Successful application of Cys-Fe3O4 as a biocompatible carrier in in vivo assays • The NPs do not interfere in ferric homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Including pulses in crop rotations can improve the productivity of subsequent crops due to increased soil available N and other agronomic benefits. However, the magnitude of this effect can vary with environmental conditions, agricultural management practices and legume genotypes. We aimed to measure the N supply and pre-crop benefits from pulses introduced in different crop rotations with cereals in a Mediterranean climate. Two three-year field trials were set with non N-fertilized fodder triticale (× Triticosecale 'Alter') as a monoculture, and in rotation with irrigated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata ' Fradel') as replacement of summer fallow, or rainfed faba bean (Vicia faba 'Favel') or pea (Pisum sativum 'Grisel') as 'break' crops. Two legume residue managements were tested: incorporation into the soil and removal from the system. Triticale monocultures with three levels of synthetic N fertilization were included for estimation of N-fertilizer equivalence from rainfed pulse pre-crops. Yields and N contents were measured for each plant fraction and crop, including weeds. Biologically fixed N was estimated by an N-difference method and residual fixed N (RFN) was calculated. Cowpea fixed between 62–127 kg N ha−1 and provided up to 61 kg N ha−1 to soil as RFN. Faba bean and pea fixed between 0–72 kg N ha−1 but RFN was negative overall, as low as −52 kg N ha−1. However, the apparent N benefit of these 'break' crops was largely positive (up to 70 kg N ha−1) in comparison with the reference crop (triticale). Agricultural intensification with irrigated cowpea did not affect the productivity of subsequent cereal, likely due to a combined effect of low residue mineralization potential of its residues, and to increased nitrate leaching and weed infestation in cereal. However, the overall productivity of the agroecosystem was increased with minimal inputs. Rainfed faba bean and pea improved cereal productivity similarly, but only when grown in wet conditions with no weed control (30–59% yield increase, equivalent to 72–153 kg fertilizer-N ha−1). Removal of legume residue did not affect the productivity of subsequent cereal. This study identifies cowpea as a suitable crop for sustainable intensification in Mediterranean conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a projection method to approximate the spectrum of a dissipative system which is a bounded perturbation of a skew-adjoint operator. We show that the associated discrete spectra approximate the frequencies of the continuous problem uniformly with respect to the discretization parameter, up to a fixed number that can be estimated a priori. Based on this result we introduce an algorithm to approximate the spectral abscissa and, therefore, the decay rate, for a large class of dissipative systems. As an application we analyze its dependence on the damping location in several hyperbolic damped systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to develop a computational model of the fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) cell cycle using agent-based modeling (ABM), to study the sequence of states of the proteins and time of the cell cycle phases, under the action of proteins that regulate its cell cycle. The model relies only on the conceptual model of the yeast cell cycle regulatory network, where each protein has been represented as an agent with a property called activity that represents its biological function and a stochastic Brownian movement. The results indicate that the simulated phase time did have similar results in comparison with other models using mathematical approaches. Similarly, the correct sequence of states was achieved, and the model was run under different initial states to understand its emergent behaviors. The cell reached the G1 stationary state 94% of the times when running the model under biological initial conditions and 87% of the times when running the model through all the different combinations of initial states. Such results imply that the cell was capable to fix toward the biological expected phenomena. These results show that ABM is a suitable technique to study protein-protein interactions without using, often unavailable, kinetic parameters, or differential equations. This model sets as a base for further studies that involve the cell cycle of the fission yeast, with a special attention to studies and development of drug treatments for specific types of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to study the transformations of criminal organizations in the post-conflict in Colombia, having as points of study the concept of criminal organization in a globalized society, the crisis of contemporary societies, their philosophical and sociological criticisms and the transformation of the conflict in the face of the appearance of Armed Organized Groups (GAO) and Organized Crime Groups (GDO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa) and murici-bravo (Byrsonima coccolobifolia) are tree species widely distributed in the Cerrado. The fruits are edible appreciated by the local fauna and the population of the field. Currently, food and phytotherapeutic products involving the fruits of the Cerrado are being developed. The objective of this work is to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of the ethanolic extracts of fruits. The fruits were collected in two Cerrado areas in the municipality of Rio Verde-GO. The ethanolic extracts were obtained from the bark, pulp, aril and seeds of H. stigonocarpa and B. coccolobifolia. Qualitative phytochemical tests were performed. The results showed compounds as organic acids and flavonoids that present bactericidal, anti-inflammatory action and as cofactor of Vitamin C, phenolic compounds being efficient antioxidant agents in the fight against singlet oxygen (free radical), the presence of tannin compounds that have proven action as antitumor agent, purines which are used with effective leishmanicidal power and as an insecticidal product, and depsidic compounds and depsidones which are used in analgesic drugs in sick patients. This work compiles important data about the phytochemical compounds found in fruits of Cerrado, generating knowledge about these two fruit species that inhabit the cerradão variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a critical review and the state of the art of graphene porous membranes, a brand-new technology and backdrop to discuss its potential application for efficient water desalination in low salinity water injection (LSWI). LSWI technology consists in injecting designed, adequately modified, filtered water to maximize oil production. To this end, desalination technologies already available can be further optimized, for example, via graphene membranes, to achieve greater efficiency in water-oil displacement. Theoretical and experimental applications of graphene porous membranes in water desalination have shown promising results over the last 5-6 years. Needless to say, improvements are still needed before graphene porous membranes become readily available. However, the present work simply sets out to demonstrate, at least in principle, the practical potential graphene membranes would have in hydrocarbon recovery processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural DNA nanotechnology utilizes synthetic or biologic DNA as designer molecules for the self-assembly of artificial nanostructures. The field is founded upon the specific interactions between DNA molecules, known as Watson-Crick base pairing. After decades of active pursuit, DNA has demonstrated unprecedented versatility in constructing artificial nanostructures with significant complexity and programmability. The nanostructures could be either static, with well-controlled physicochemical properties, or dynamic, with the ability to reconfigure upon external stimuli. Researchers have devoted considerable effort to exploring the usability of DNA nanostructures in biomedical research. We review the basic design methods for fabricating both static and dynamic DNA nanostructures, along with their biomedical applications in fields such as biosensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation blocks DNA replication and arrests cellular division in Escherichia coli. Restoration of chromosome replication involves nucleoid reorganization, which involves the participation of the recombination-catalyzing proteins RecA, RecO, RecR and RecN. In this work, we evaluated the influence of recN, uvrA and recJ gene mutations on post-irradiation nucleoid reorganization. We used isogenic E. coli strains that are defective for these genes to study post-irradiation kinetics of the nucleoid shape fractions using fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that in the wild-type strain, post-irradiation nucleoid reorganization occurs, which restores the nucleoid shape fractions in the cells to those observed prior to irradiation. First, the nucleoid condenses into the central area of the irradiated cell. Second, the nucleoid disperses along the cell. Third, the cell enters the chromosome replicative phase and cytokinesis. Escherichia coli cells with a recN mutation did not exhibit increased nucleoid condensation, but chromosome replication and cytokinesis occurred. In the uvrA and recJ strains, the condensation step was delayed compared to the wild-type strain, and chromosome replication and cytokinesis did not occur. The results are discussed with an emphasis on the functions of RecN, UvrA and RecJ in nucleoid reorganization in UV-irradiated E. coli cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After reviewing the basics of the geometry of the cotangent bundle of spacetime, via the introduction of nonlinear connections, we build an action and derive the generalized gravitational field equations in phase spaces. A nontrivial solution generalizing the Hilbert- Schwarzschild black hole metric in spacetime is found. The most relevant physical consequence is that the metric becomes momentum-dependent (observer dependent) which is what one should aim for in trying to quantize geometry (gravity) : the observer must play an important role in any measurement (observation) process of the spacetime he/she lives in. To finalize, some comments about modifications of the Weyl-Heisenberg algebra [xi, pj] = ih gij(x, p) and its implications are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed structural analysis of the benzimidazole nitroarenes 1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐1,3‐benzimidazole, C13H9N3O2, (I), 1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐1,3‐benzimidazole, C19H13N3O2, (II), and 2‐(3‐methylphenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐1,3‐benzimidazole, C20H15N3O2, (III), has been performed. They are nonplanar structures whose crystal arrangement is governed by Csp2—H…A (A = NO2, Npy and π) hydrogen bonding. The inherent complexity of the supramolecular arrangements of compounds (I) (Z′ = 2) and (II) (Z′ = 4) into tapes, helices and sheets is the result of the additional participation of π– and n–π* (n = O and Npy; π* = Csp2 and ) interactions that contribute to the stabilization of the equi‐energetic conformations adopted by each of the independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. In contrast, compound (III) (Z′ = 1) is self‐paired, probably due to the effect of the steric demand of the methyl group on the crystal packing. Theoretical ab initio calculations confirmed that the presence of the arene ring at the benzimidazole 2‐position increases the rotational barrier of the nitrobenzene ring and also supports the electrostatic nature of the orthogonal ONO…Csp2 and Npy…NO2 interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article focuses on agro‐food production in Murcia, Spain, and analyses the socio‐technical production processes of the seedless table grape. In the agro‐food industry, a focus on quality has driven an unstoppable process of bio‐technological innovation, which is also evident in the object of this study. Before these technological innovations, taste, colour and calibre as specific qualities of the grape were not considered a determinable characteristic. They had only emerged in the context of certain productive, technological and institutional conditions of possibility and the establishment of particular relationships between the agents implicated in its cultivation. By using Callon´s contribution to Actor Network Theory, the article examines how the different qualities of the seedless table grape are constructed through quality control procedures that try to stabilise the relationship between human (labour) and non‐human (technology, insects, fungi, water, sun) actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]