Evaluating the perceived and estimated quality in use of Web 2.0 applications

Web 2.0 refers to a new generation of web applications where individuals are able to participate, collaborate, and share created artefacts. Despite the fact that Web 2.0 applications are widely used for both educational and professional purposes, a consolidated methodology for their evaluation is still not available. This paper presents and discusses the results of two empirical studies on the case of mind mapping and diagramming Web 2.0 applications. Both studies employed logging actual use method to measure the estimated quality in use, while the retrospective thinking aloud method and an online questionnaire were applied to assess the perceived quality in use. Achieved analytical results showed that the results of the estimated and the perceived quality in use match partially, which indicates that quality in use should be measured with both subjective and objective instruments. The work presented in this paper is the first step towards a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the quality in use of Web 2.0 applications. Consequently, the usage of the proposed quality in use model for other types of Web 2.0 applications as well as contexts of use needs to be investigated in order to draw generalizable conclusions.     

Practical applications of modified poly(ethylene oxide) networks

Modified poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) networks have been studied as phase transfer catalysts, flocculates and solvent-free polymer electrolytes. The activity of the hydrogels has been investigated with respect to the structure and crosslinking density of the networks, their degree of quaternization and amphiphilic properties (hydrophilicity coefficients). It has been found that the microenvironment of the active sites (EO segments and ammonium ions) affects the catalytic activity and sorption ability of the modified networks. Hydrophobic organic compounds such as sodium picrate and bromophenolblue are bound predominantly to the lipophilic quaternary ammonium ions. A stable level of electrical conductivity of 5.0×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ was achieved without using of additives. A probable mechanism of ion transport within the networks has been proposed. Potential applications of PEO-based materials as solvent-free solid polymer electrolytes are also discussed.     

Inhibition of Hepatitis C Replication by Targeting the Molecular Chaperone Hsp90: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-d]thiazole Derivatives

Cellular chaperones that belong to the heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) family are a prerequisite for successful viral propagation for most viruses. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses Hsp90 for maturation, folding, and modification of viral proteins. Based on our previous discovery that marine alkaloid analogues with a 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-d]thiazole-2-amine structure show inhibition of HCV replication and binding to Hsp90, a series of twelve novel compounds based on this scaffold was designed and synthesized. The aim was improved Hsp90 affinity and anti-HCV activity. Through structural optimization, improved binding to Hsp90 and specific HCV inhibition in genotype 1b and 2a replicon models was achieved for three compounds belonging to the newly synthesized series. Furthermore, these compounds efficiently inhibited replication of full-length HCV genotype 2a in a reporter virus RNA assay with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.03 to 0.6 μm .     

Catalytic pyrolysis and kinetic study of real-world waste plastics: multi-layered and mixed resin types of plastics

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Multi-layered and mixed resin types of plastics are a great challenge for the waste recycling industry. The majority consist of two or more types of...     

A Potent N-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide Inhibitor of Adenylyl Cyclase of G. lamblia: Biological Evaluation and Molecular Modelling Studies

In this work, we report a derivative of N-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide as a new inhibitor for adenylyl cyclase of Giardia lamblia which was obtained from a study using structural data of the nucleotidyl cyclase 1 (gNC1) of this parasite. For such a study, we developed a model for this specific enzyme by using homology techniques, which is the first model reported for gNC1 of G. lamblia. Our studies show that the new inhibitor has a competitive mechanism of action against this enzyme. 2-Hydroxyestradiol was used as the reference compound for comparative studies. Results in this work are important from two points of view. on the one hand, an experimentally corroborated model for gNC1 of G. lamblia obtained by molecular modelling is presented; on the other hand, the new inhibitor obtained is an undoubtedly excellent starting structure for the development of new metabolic inhibitors for G. lamblia.     

Cluster randomized trials with treatment noncompliance.

Cluster randomized trials (CRTs) have been widely used in field experiments treating a cluster of individuals as the unit of randomization. This study focused particularly on situations where CRTs are accompanied by a common complication, namely, treatment noncompliance or, more generally, intervention nonadherence. In CRTs, compliance may be related not only to individual characteristics but also to the environment of clusters individuals belong to. Therefore, analyses ignoring the connection between compliance and clustering may not provide valid results. Although randomized field experiments often suffer from both noncompliance and clustering of the data, these features have been studied as separate rather than concurrent problems. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, this study demonstrated how clustering and noncompliance may affect statistical inferences and how these two complications can be accounted for simultaneously. In particular, the effect of the intervention on individuals who not only were assigned to active intervention but also abided by this intervention assignment (complier average causal effect) was the focus. For estimation of intervention effects considering noncompliance and data clustering, an ML-EM estimation method was employed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Molecular Dynamics-Derived Pharmacophore Model Explaining the Nonselective Aspect of KV10.1 Pore Blockers

The K_V10.1 voltage-gated potassium channel is highly expressed in 70% of tumors, and thus represents a promising target for anticancer drug discovery. However, only a few ligands are known to inhibit K_V10.1, and almost all also inhibit the very similar cardiac hERG channel, which can lead to undesirable side-effects. In the absence of the structure of the K_V10.1–inhibitor complex, there remains the need for new strategies to identify selective K_V10.1 inhibitors and to understand the binding modes of the known K_V10.1 inhibitors. To investigate these binding modes in the central cavity of K_V10.1, a unique approach was used that allows derivation and analysis of ligand–protein interactions from molecular dynamics trajectories through pharmacophore modeling. The final molecular dynamics-derived structure-based pharmacophore model for the simulated K_V10.1–ligand complexes describes the necessary pharmacophore features for K_V10.1 inhibition and is highly similar to the previously reported ligand-based hERG pharmacophore model used to explain the nonselectivity of K_V10.1 pore blockers. Moreover, analysis of the molecular dynamics trajectories revealed disruption of the π–π network of aromatic residues F359, Y464, and F468 of K_V10.1, which has been reported to be important for binding of various ligands for both K_V10.1 and hERG channels. These data indicate that targeting the K_V10.1 channel pore is also likely to result in undesired hERG inhibition, and other potential binding sites should be explored to develop true K_V10.1-selective inhibitors as new anticancer agents.     

Modeling and control of a pneumatically actuated inverted pendulum

This paper presents the results of modeling of an inverted pendulum system driven by a linear pneumatic motor and equipped with relatively low-cost potentiometer-based position measurement system. Based on the nonlinear model of the overall pendulum system, which also includes notable friction effects, a linearized model is derived. The linearized model is used as a basis for the design of state feedback controller based on LQ and LQG optimization procedures. The linear state feedback controllers are augmented by a compensator of nonlinear friction effects whose design is based on the results of experimental identification of an appropriate static friction model. The proposed pendulum controller structures have been verified by means of computer simulations and experimentally on the experimental setup of a pneumatically actuated inverted pendulum.     

Characterization of Croatian Honeys by Right-Angle Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

The potential of right-angle fluorescence spectroscopy and selected chemical parameters for discrimination of botanical origin of Croatian honey types (n = 55) previously classified by physicochemical and melissopalynological analyses was evaluated. Systematic step-by-step fluorescence analysis included the measurement of complete excitation-emission matrix (EEM) in the range of excitation wavelengths from 260 to 400 nm, and emission wavelengths from 300 to 600 nm, followed by fluorescence intensity measurement at detected peaks of different excitation/emission wavelengths, and emission spectra recordings at selected specific excitation wavelengths of honey solutions in 50 mmol L^?1 phosphate buffer pH 7.0 and methanol. A total of five different sets of emission spectral data for buffer and two for methanolic honey solutions were considered for chemometric analysis of original and normalized emission spectra including principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis. Additionally, chemical analysis of buffer and methanolic honey solutions included determination of protein, total polyphenol and reactive amino group content. Results showed that right-angle fluorescence spectroscopy of honey solutions has great potential for honey botanical origin discrimination, either by visual comparison of excitation-emission spectra landscapes, or even better, by normalized emission fluorescence spectra recordings at 260 and 280 nm of excitation. Moreover, increased honey discrimination was achieved in conjunction with chemometrics of fluorescence spectras. In addition, two rapid markers/indicators of honey authentication were found. Chestnut honey could be clearly discriminated from the other honey types by simple measurement of fluorescence intensity at 390/470 nm, while sage honeys by measurement of reactive amino group content.     

Dual Escherichia coli DNA Gyrase A and B Inhibitors with Antibacterial Activity

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a global health threat necessitating the discovery of new antibacterials and novel strategies for fighting bacterial infections. We report first-in-class DNA gyrase B (GyrB) inhibitor/ciprofloxacin hybrids that display antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Whereas DNA gyrase ATPase inhibition experiments, DNA gyrase supercoiling assays, and in vitro antibacterial assays suggest binding of the hybrids to the E. coli GyrA and GyrB subunits, an interaction with the GyrA fluoroquinolone-binding site seems to be solely responsible for their antibacterial activity. Our results provide a foundation for a new concept of facilitating entry of nonpermeating GyrB inhibitors into bacteria by conjugation with ciprofloxacin, a highly permeable GyrA inhibitor. A hybrid molecule containing GyrA and GyrB inhibitor parts entering the bacterial cell would then elicit a strong antibacterial effect by inhibition of both the GyrA and GyrB subunits of DNA gyrase and potentially slow bacterial resistance development.