2020
This paper posits that Esther Syiem’s poem, “To the Rest of India from Another Indian” (2013) engenders a subnational discourse that, by interrogating the national status of a privileged pedagogy, opts for a confederal political imagination of multiple and equal centers. It fosters this desire by modulating a counter imagination in two strategic ways — foregroundong its strangeness and implanting its own subnational pedagogy which constitutes its imagination. The subnational discourse, then, homogenizes the national imagination, and sets it in binary opposition to the modulated counter imagination which is also homogenized. It proceeds, after setting up a binary opposition, to contradict, delimit, and alienate itself in order to be recognized as another authentic and central entity parallel to the pedagogy that is deemed to be national. This paper concludes that Syiem’s subnational discourse, considered as a form of minority discourse, goes against the grain of Homi K. Bhabha’s view of minority discourse.
October 2019:
Muthukumar Manickam is a Research Scholar working on Nationalism with a focus on the representation of the North-East. He studies the points of intersection between Nationalism and Subnationalism. He has published an article titled “Historicising the Banal: Media Representation of India’s North-East as Discriminatory Pedagogy Begetting Subnational Discourse” in Archiv Orientalni, Published by Oriental Institute Czech Academy of Sciences
Vinod Balakrishnan teaches Creative Writing and Communication. He is a motivational speaker, practising poet, and yoga enthusiast. He reads on Life Writing, Nation, Indian Writing in English, Cultural Representation. He has published articles in journals such as a/b, Pragmatism Today, Journal of Somaesthetics, Dharmaram University Journal of Religions and Philosophies, Journal of Creative Communication, and Lit Crit. He has also contributed chapters in various edited volumes published by Springer, Bloomsbury, and Brill.
Population growth is increasing the scarcity of freshwater for irrigation and accelerating its replacement with non-freshwater sources such as treated wastewater and brackish water. Although these substitutes may be less productive agronomically, their supply is usually more stable. We develop a structural econometric framework to assess the substitution between fresh- and non-fresh water as it is inferred from water-use decisions of farmers under increasing block-rate water pricing. We employ the model to village-level panel data from Israel, in which 50% of the freshwater allotments were replaced during the 1990–2010 period by treated-wastewater quotas, using a non-freshwater/freshwater volumetric exchange rate of 1.2. Based on our estimation results, the hypothesis that the marginal rate of substitution between the two water sources is equal to one cannot be rejected. Simulations suggest that the Israeli quota-exchange policy has increased both agricultural production value and farming profits.
Amir Neori, Bronfman, Yossi , van Rijn, Jaap , Guttman, Lior , Krupnik, Nimrod , Shpigel, Muki , Samocha, Tzachi M. , Davis, Donald Allen , Qiu, Xuan , Abelin, Patricia , ו Israel, Alvaro . 2020.
“The Suitability Of Ulva Fasciata, Ulva Compressa, And Hypnea Musciformis For Production In An Outdoor Spray Cultivation System, With Respect To Biomass Yield And Protein Content”. Journal Of Applied Phycology, 32, 5, Pp. 3183-3197. doi:10.1007/s10811-020-02130-3}, Early Access Date = UN 2020.
תקציר Land-based seaweed ponds can produce 500-700 t of fresh weight (FW) ha(-1) year(-1), but their profitability can be cut by the cost of pond construction, including ground leveling, infrastructure cost, and water agitation. A potentially cost-effective, land-based seaweed culture approach where seaweed grow on substrates by spray culture has been examined. We measured the yield and biomass quality of three intertidal cultivable seaweeds, Ulva fasciata, Ulva compressa, and Hypnea musciformis, in spray (known elsewhere also as film or drip culture) and pond culture approaches, varying surface inclination and nutrient loading. These technical details are necessary for the evaluation of the approach and for upscaling. The best yield (up to 84 g FW m(-2) day(-1), 44-84% of yield in ponds) and quality (protein content and additional parameters) of spray-grown U. fasciata was obtained on 6 degrees-inclined trays with highly fertilized water. The highest protein content (24.5%), but with reduced yield, was obtained on 80 degrees-inclined trays. H. musciformis and U. compressa, apparently thanks to their stringy morphologies, yielded in spray culture up to 286 g FW m(-2) day(-1) and 172 g FW m(-2) day(-1), respectively. The overall quality and resilience of spray-grown algae profited from nutrient enrichment, and the best yields were achieved with enrichment of 10 g N and 1 g P m(-2) day(-1) in H. musciformis and 15 g N and 1.5 g P m(-2) day(-1) in both Ulva species. Biomass growth occurred in layers, which visibly differed in color and consistency. A thin bleached top thalli layer protected the biomass below from dehydration and bleaching and allowed there a high photosynthetic rate. A spray culture of Ulva sp. on seawater-sprayed cement tiles, with minimal maintenance, yielded up to 50 g FW m(-2) of tile day(-1). Economically, spray culture appears to be particularly suitable to the stringy algae.
We experimentally and analytically explore supershear ruptures that are excited at the onset of frictional motion within “bimaterial interfaces,” frictional interfaces formed by contacting bodies having different elastic (or geometric) properties. Our experiments on PMMA blocks sliding on polycarbonate show that the structure, transition sequence, and range of existence of such supershear ruptures are highly dependent on their propagation direction relative to the slip direction in the softer of the two materials. These properties are characterized for both the positive (parallel) and negative (antiparallel) propagation directions. An analytic, fracture-mechanics based description of supershear ruptures is derived. The theory quantitatively predicts both supershear structure and the allowed propagation range of supershear ruptures. The latter compares well with both the experimentally observed supershear ruptures in the negative direction as well as localized slip pulses in the positive direction, whose propagation speed lies between the shear velocities of both materials. Supershear ruptures in the positive direction, which are composed of trains of propagating slip pulses, evade this theoretical description.
Aysu Kucukturhan Kubowicz, Kustanovich, Kiryl , Gitlin-Domagalska, Agata , Yantchev, Ventsislav , Hurevich, Mattan , Yitzchaik, Shlomo , Jesorka, Aldo , ו Gozen, Irep . 2020.
“Supported Model Membranes For Biosensing Applications - Optical Oxytocin Binding Assay”. Biophysical Journal, 118, 3, Supplement 1, Pp. 232a-233a. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2019.11.1376.
Publisher's Version Survival of respiratory viral pathogens in expelled saliva microdroplets is central to their transmission, yet the factors that determine survival in such microdroplets are not well understood. Here we combine microscopy imaging with virus viability assays to study survival of three bacteriophages suggested as good models for respiratory pathogens: the enveloped Phi6 (a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2), and the non-enveloped PhiX174 and MS2. We measured virus viability in human saliva microdroplets, SM buffer, and water following deposition on glass surfaces at various relative humidities (RH). Saliva and water microdroplets dried out rapidly, within minutes, at all tested RH levels (23%, 43%, 57%, and 78%), while SM microdroplets remained hydrated at RH >= 57%. Generally, the survival of all three viruses in dry saliva microdroplets was significantly greater than those in SM buffer and water under all RH (except PhiX174 in water under 57% RH survived the best among 3 media). Thus, atmosphere RH and microdroplet hydration state are not sufficient to explain virus survival, indicating that the virus-suspended medium, and association with saliva components in particular, likely play a role in virus survival. Uncovering the exact properties and components that make saliva a favorable environment for the survival of viruses, in particular enveloped ones like Phi6, is thus of great importance for reducing transmission of viral respiratory pathogens including SARS-CoV-2.
Periodontal diseases are prevalent in humans. Conventional means of combating these diseases involve basic oral hygiene, mostly toothbrushing, use of mouthwashes, and flossing. Supplementary means of treatment, either clinical or pharmaceutical, are often necessary. The use of sustained-release delivery systems, applied locally to the periodontal pocket, seems to be one feasible approach: local sustained-release delivery of antibacterial agents to treat periodontal diseases is conceivable. The use of local (intrapocket) sustained-release delivery systems has numerous clinical, pharmacologic, and toxicologic advantages over conventional treatments for periodontal diseases. Sustained-release technology has been proven to be effective over the last few decades. Films, gels, and fibers are the three main classical intrapocket pharmaceutical delivery systems. Research today is more focused on improving drug delivery, and less on introducing new drugs. New approaches, eg, those making use of nanotechnology, are emerging for local drug-delivery systems. The local sustained-release delivery system concept is innovative and a few products are already commercially available.
Ron Shaar, Bechar, Shlomit , Finkelstein, Israel , Gallet, Yves , Martin, Mario AS, Ebert, Yael , Keinan, Jonathan , ו Gonen, Lilach . 2020.
“Synchronizing Geomagnetic Field Intensity Records In The Levant Between The 23Rd And 15Th Centuries Bce: Chronological And Methodological Implications”. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Pp. e2020GC009251. .
Publisher's Version Shikma Zaarur, Stein, Mordechai , Adam, Ori , Mingram, Jens , Liu, Jiaqi , Wu, Jing , Raveh-Rubin, Shira , ו Erel, Yigal . 2020.
“Synoptic Stability And Anomalies In Ne China Inferred From Dust Provenance Of Sihailongwan Maar Sediments During The Past ∼80 Kyr”, 239, Pp. 106279. .
Publisher's Version תקציר The paleo-synoptic conditions that prevailed during the past ∼80 kyr in northeastern China are inferred from the elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of Lake Sihailongwan Maar sediments. The detrital fraction in the lake sediments is dominated by aeolian input of felsic-rock origin, with little contribution of local volcanic material. Based on the isotopic Sr–Nd composition of the lake core-sediments, we postulate that the deserts of northern China are the main source of allochthonous particles to the lake throughout the past ∼80 kyr. Northwesterly winds associated with the East Asian winter monsoon and high latitude westerlies are the main carriers of dust from these deserts to the lake. The deserts of central China are an additional minor dust source. The episodic dust input from these deserts results from anomalous dry southwesterly winds. These could be related to either El Niño conditions, or to delays in the onset of the East Asian summer monsoon rains.
Shikma Zaarur, Stein, Mordechai , Adam, Ori , Mingram, Jens , Liu, Jiaqi , Wu, Jing , Raveh-Rubin, Shira , ו Erel, Yigal . 2020.
“Synoptic Stability And Anomalies In Ne China Inferred From Dust Provenance Of Sihailongwan Maar Sediments During The Past Similar To 80 Kyr”. Quaternary Science Reviews, 239. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2020.106279.
תקציר The paleo-synoptic conditions that prevailed during the past similar to 80 kyr in northeastern China are inferred from the elemental and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of Lake Sihailongwan Maar sediments. The detrital fraction in the lake sediments is dominated by aeolian input of felsic-rock origin, with little contribution of local volcanic material. Based on the isotopic Sr-Nd composition of the lake core-sediments, we postulate that the deserts of northern China are the main source of allochthonous particles to the lake throughout the past similar to 80 kyr. Northwesterly winds associated with the East Asian winter monsoon and high latitude westerlies are the main carriers of dust from these deserts to the lake. The deserts of central China are an additional minor dust source. The episodic dust input from these deserts results from anomalous dry southwesterly winds. These could be related to either El Nino conditions, or to delays in the onset of the East Asian summer monsoon rains. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Rajender Nallagonda, Kumar, Nivesh , Reddy, Reddy Rajasekhar , Shioukhi, Israa , Sagih, Hila , ו Masarwa*, Ahmad . 2020.
“Synthesis And Reactivity Of 1,1 And 1,2-Bisboronate Species”. (Patai's Chemistry Of Functional Groups) John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England . .
Publisher's Version תקציר In the past four decades, the chemistry of 1,1‐ and 1,2‐bisboronate compounds has been extensively explored. Many interesting structural features and reaction patterns have emerged, and more importantly, these compounds now feature prominently in both metal‐catalyzed and metal‐free transformations for the formation of CC bonds and C–heteroatom and other processes. This chapter aims to highlight the recent development in this rising research field, focusing on the synthesis of 1,1‐ and 1,2‐bisboronate compounds and their reactivity and selectivity that originate from the use of these bisboronates.
Rajender Nallagonda, Kumar, Nivesh , Reddy, Reddy Rajasekhar , Shioukhi, Israa , Sagih, Hila , ו Masarwa*, Ahmad . 2020.
“Synthesis And Reactivity Of 1,1 And 1,2-Bisboronate Species”. (Patai’s Chemistry Of Functional Groups) John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England. .
Publisher's Version תקציר In the past four decades, the chemistry of 1,1- and 1,2-bisboronate compounds has been extensively explored. Many interesting structural features and reaction patterns have emerged, and more importantly, these compounds now feature prominently in both metal-catalyzed and metal-free transformations for the formation of CC bonds and C–heteroatom and other processes. This chapter aims to highlight the recent development in this rising research field, focusing on the synthesis of 1,1- and 1,2-bisboronate compounds and their reactivity and selectivity that originate from the use of these bisboronates.
Abed Saady, Steinman, Noam Y, Wojtyniak, Melissa , Ducho, Christian , ו Fischer, Bilha . 2020.
“Synthesis Of 2'-Deoxyuridine Modified With A 3,5-Difluoro-4-Methoxybenzylidene Imidazolinone Derivative For Incorporation Into Oligonucleotide Probes For Detection Of Her2 Breast Cancer Marker.”. Current Protocols In Nucleic Acid Chemistry, 80, 1, Pp. e104. doi:10.1002/cpnc.104.
תקציר Nucleoside intercalator conjugates (NICs) describe an innovative methodology developed in our research group for preparation of fluorescence turn-on DNA hybridization probes targeting specific mRNA sequences (e.g., breast cancer markers). In this methodology, we conjugate a non-fluorescent intercalator to the base of a nucleic acid (e.g., uracil) via a flexible spacer. This modified monomer can be incorporated into oligonucleotides by solid-phase synthesis and a large fluorescence enhancement is observed when the modified oligonucleotide is hybridized with its complementary strand due to intercalation of the fluorophore between the two strands. 5-(6-p-Methoxybenzylidene imidazolinone-1-hexene)-2'-deoxyuridine (dU(MBI) ) is a synthetic monomer to which 4-methoxybenzylidene imidazolinone (MBI), the fluorescent chromophore of green fluorescent protein (GFP), has been conjugated via a flexible spacer. The detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) mRNA by this probe has already been established by our group. The fluorescent intensity of the single-strand DNA can be considered as negligible due to the free rotation of the fluorophore. Upon hybridization, however, the flexible spacer allows for the intercalation of the fluorophore between the hybridized strands, giving rise to enhanced fluorescence and indicating the presence of target mRNA. 3,5-Difluoro-4-methoxybenzylidene (DFMBI) has enhanced photophysical properties compared to MBI fluorophore. This protocol describes a simple, reliable, efficient, and general method for the synthesis of improved derivative dU(DFMBI) as a monomer of fluorescent turn-on DNA hybridization probe with application for detection of HER2 mRNA. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol: Synthesis of 5-[(6)-3,5-difluoro-4-methoxybenzylidene imidazolinone-1-hexene]-2'-deoxyuridine.
Oded Halevi, Chen, Jingwei , Thangavel, Gurunathan , Morris, Samuel Alexander, Ben Uliel, Tal , Tischler, Yaakov Raphael, Lee, Pooi See, ו Magdassi, Shlomo . 2020.
“Synthesis Through 3D Printing: Formation Of 3D Coordination Polymers”. Rsc Advances, 10, Pp. 14812–14817.
תקציר Coordination polymers (CPs) and coordination network solids such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained increasing interest during recent years due to their unique properties and potential applications. Preparing 3D printed structures using CP would provide many advantages towards utilization in fields such as catalysis and sensing. So far, functional 3D structures were printed mostly by dispersing pre-synthesized particles of CPs and MOFs within a polymerizable carrier. This resulted in a CP active material dispersed within a 3D polymeric object, which may obstruct or impede the intrinsic properties of the CP. Here, we present a new concept for obtaining 3D free-standing objects solely composed of CP material, starting from coordination metal complexes as the monomeric building blocks, and utilizing the 3D printer itself as a tool to in situ synthesize a coordination polymer during printing, and to shape it into a 3D object, simultaneously. To demonstrate this, a 3D-shaped nickel tetra-acrylamide monomeric complex composed solely of the CP without a binder was successfully prepared using our direct print-and-form approach. We expect that this work will open new directions and unlimited potential in additive manufacturing and utilization of CPs.
Max Schmallegger, Barbon, Antonio , Bortolus, Marco , Chemelli, Angela , Bilkis, Itzhak , Gescheidt, Georg , ו Weiner, Lev . 2020.
“Systematic Quantification Of Electron Transfer In A Bare Phospholipid Membrane Using Nitroxide-Labeled Stearic Acids: Distance Dependence, Kinetics, And Activation Parameters”. Langmuir, 36, 35, Pp. 10429-10437. doi:10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01585.
תקציר In this report, we present a method to characterize the kinetics of electron transfer across the bilayer of a unilamellar liposome composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The method utilizes synthetic phospholipids containing noninvasive nitroxide spin labels having the >N-O center dot moiety at well-defined distances from the outer surface of the liposome to serve as reporters for their local environment and, at the same time, permit measurement of the kinetics of electron transfer. We used 5-doxyl and 16-doxyl stearic acids. The paramagnetic >N-O center dot moiety is photo-oxidized to the corresponding diamagnetic oxoammonium cation by a ruthenium electron acceptor formed in the solution. Electron transfer is monitored by three independent spectroscopic methods: by both steady-state and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance and by optical spectroscopy. These techniques allowed us to differentiate between the electron transfer rates of nitroxides located in the outer leaflet of the phospholipid bilayer and of those located in the inner leaflet. Measurement of electron transfer rates as a function of temperature revealed a low-activation barrier (Delta G double dagger similar to 40 kJ/mol) that supports a tunneling mechanism.
