Abstract: Theoretical-experimental research is presented to address the mechanics and failure mode of the interface between two matrices with brittle behavior, earth and mortar, and pig hair, an organic fiber that is a massive waste from the food industry worldwide. A comprehensive statistical analysis of the pull-out force is presented, accounting for the effect of fiber embedded length, diameter variability, and age of the matrices. Experimental results are contrasted with fracture-mechanics theories to describe its behavior in this matter. Results show that neither fiber length, variability of diameter, nor the age of the matrix influences the pull-out force of both matrices evaluated in this work. Our results show the brittle nature of these interfaces, which was also observed using a high-speed camera. The tensile load of the fibers was compared to the pull-out force, showing that these fibers always work within their elastic regime. This work contributes directly to the sustainable goals 9, 11, and 15 enacted by the United Nations in 2015, by contributing to the understanding of the fracture mechanics of a waste product used as reinforcement of construction matrices.

Abstract: The rapid development of salmon aquaculture worldwide and the growing criticism of the activity in recent decades have raised doubts about the capacity of the sector to learn from its own crises. In this article, we assess the discursive, behavioral and outcome performance dimensions of the industry to identify actual learning and lessons to be learned. We focus on the case of Chiloe Island, Chile, a global center of salmon production since 1990 that has gone through two severe crises in the last 15 years (2007-2009 ISAV crisis and 2016 red tide crisis). On the basis of a multi-method approach combining qualitative analysis of interviews and statistical data analysis, we observe that the industry has discursively learned the relevance of both self-regulation and the wellbeing of communities. However, at the behavioral and outcome performance levels, the data show a highly heterogeneous conduct that questions the ability of the sector as a whole to learn from crises. We conclude that detrimental effects for ecosystems and society will increase if learning remains at the level of discourses. Without significant changes in operational practices and market performance there are no real perspectives for the sustainability of the industry. This intensifies when considering the uneven responses to governance mechanisms. The sector needs to adapt its factual performance to sustainable goals and reflexively monitor this process. The first step for achieving this is to produce reliable data to make evidence-based decisions that align the operational dynamics of the entire sector with a more sustainable trajectory in the near future, as well as advancing towards hybrid and more reflexive governance arrangements.

Abstract: The utilization of porous biomedical implants featuring a bimodal microstructure has garnered substantial interest within the scientific community. This study delves into the intricate interplay between processing parameters, microstructural attributes, and the tribo-mechanical performance of titanium grade 4, showcasing its potential to serve as implants to address compromised cortical bone tissue. The investigation meticulously examines the impact of milling duration (10 and 20 h), proportion of milled powder (50 and 75 wt%), and the volume fraction of space-holding agents (40-60 vol% NaCl) on the resulting characteristics of the bimodal microstructure, which plays a crucial role in achieving optimal biomechanical equilibrium. The Vickers microhardness, conventional and instrumented (P-h curves), and the wear behavior (ball-on disk) are discussed in terms of bimodal microstructure distribution, particle size and porosity level inherent to the fabrication conditions (mechanical milling + space-holder + hot-pressing). In general terms, milling time and milled powder fraction were the most influent parameters on the final properties of the materials. With the processing route used, the achieved microhardness values and wear behavior are comparable with those obtained by means of surface modifications or alloys. The Young's moduli obtained were in the range of 30-50 GPa, which could help to reduce the shielding phenomenon, while presenting a good mechanical resistance and wear behavior. In light of these findings, the fabricated specimen, composed of 75 wt% milled powder subjected to a 10-h milling duration, supplemented by a 60 vol% fraction of NaCl, emerges as a prime candidate manifesting superior biomechanical equilibrium. This judicious configuration exhibits a promising trajectory for its application in bone replacement endeavors.

Abstract: Fragile X-associated disorders are a family of genetic conditions resulting from the partial or complete loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Among these disorders, fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism. Progress in basic neuroscience has led to identification of molecular targets for treatment in FXS; however, there is a gap in translation to targeted therapies in humans. This study introduces a novel therapeutic target for FXS, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor known to induce expression of over 100 cytoprotective genes. We also show that NNZ2566, a drug that has successfully completed a phase 2 clinical trial in FXS, is effective in modulating this target in FXS, partially reversing the FXS phenotype; NNZ2566 has a therapeutic role as Nrf2 activator. Effectively, treatment with NNZ2566 normalizes the translocation of Nrf2 to the nucleus, inducing expression of numerous oxidative stress-related genes including NQO1 (NAD(P) H dehydrogenase quinone 1), GST-alpha 1 (glutathione S-transferase alpha-1) and EH (epoxide hydrolase) and has a knockdown effect on E-cadherin. In summary, the Nrf2/ARE (antioxidant response element) pathway appears to be a novel promising therapeutic target for FXS and NNZ2566 appears to be acting as an activator of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and suggests a potential benefit across multiple symptoms that could be associated with the pathobiological processes underlying FXS.

Abstract: Mechanical alloying and uniaxial compaction were used to obtain configurations of: elemental powders of Cu and Ni; binary alloys (Cu-Ni and Cu-Zr); and a ternary alloy (Cu-Ni-Zr) under the same mechanical milling and hot pressing conditions. Microstructure and mechanical properties of these were investigated. According to XRD results, hot pressing process increases crystallite size and decreases microstrain in the compact samples, due to the release of crystalline defects without crystallization of amorphous alloys. The milled powder samples have a higher hardness than the unmilled samples, since crystal defects are incorporated into microstructural refinement during milling. The ternary alloy Cu-40Ni-10Zr had the highest hardness of all systems studied, reaching 689 HV0.5. Compression tests at 5% strain determined that Zr-containing samples (amorphous phase) become more fragile after processing, and have the lowest values of compressive strength. In contrast, Ni samples and Cu-Ni binary alloys are more resistant to compression. (

Abstract: In Veliz-Cuba and Stigler 2011, Boolean models were proposed for the lac operon in Escherichia coli capable of reproducing the operon being OFF, ON and bistable for three (low, medium and high) and two (low and high) parameters, representing the concentration ranges of lactose and glucose, respectively. Of these 6 possible combinations of parameters, 5 produce results that match with the biological experiments of Ozbudak et al., 2004. In the remaining one, the models predict the operon being OFF while biological experiments show a bistable behavior. In this paper, we first explore the robustness of two such models in the sense of how much its attractors change against any deterministic update schedule. We prove mathematically that, in cases where there is no bistability, all the dynamics in both models lack limit cycles while, when bistability appears, one model presents 30% of its dynamics with limit cycles while the other only 23%. Secondly, we propose two alternative improvements consisting of biologically supported modifications; one in which both models match with Ozbudak et al., 2004 in all 6 combinations of parameters and, the other one, where we increase the number of parameters to 9, matching in all these cases with the biological experiments of Ozbudak et al., 2004.

Abstract: One key assumption of Markowitz's model is that all traders act as price takers. In this paper, we extend this mean-variance approach in a setting where large investors can move prices. Instead of having an individual optimization problem, we find the investors' Nash equilibrium and redefine the efficient frontier in this new framework. We also develop a simplified application of the general model, with two assets and two investors to shed light on the potential strategic behavior of large and atomic investors. Our findings validate the claim that large investors enhance their portfolio performance in relation to perfect market conditions. Besides, we show under which conditions atomic investors can benefit in relation to the standard setting, even if they have not total influence on their eventual performance. The 'two investors-two assets' setting allows us to quantify performance and do sensitivity analysis regarding investors' market power, risk tolerance and price elasticity of demand. Finally, for a group of well known ETFs, we empirically show how price variations change depending on the volume traded. We also explain how to set up and use our model with real market data. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.