Antagonistic Character Research Articles

Bassani e l’omosessualità

In questo saggio l’autore analizza la presenza dell’omosessualità, nonché dei suoi equivalenti simbolici della virilità lesa o diminuita, nella narrativa di Giorgio Bassani. In tale direzione, i testi bassaniani più significativi vengono considerati Gli occhiali d’oro (in cui il tragico protagonista è un omosessuale), Dietro la porta e L’airone, ma anche la figura di Alberto (e, in parte, dello stesso protagonista) nel Giardino dei Finzi-Contini e quella di Barilari in Una notte del ’43 sono oggetto di interpretazione tematica. L’autore del saggio cerca di mostrare che l’identità omosessuale non è da Bassani indagata in sé e legittimata ontologicamente, ma assume un puro valore di metafora dell’esclusione, anche violenta, quella che parallelamente colpì l’identità ebraica dopo l’emanazione delle leggi razziali in Italia. Secondo questa angolazione di lettura, il dubbio sulla “conformità” della propria sessualità, il timore di un’omologazione di essa agli stereotipi della propaganda di regime o (in Dietro la Porta) la proiezione liberatoria di questi ultimi su un personaggio antagonistico / alteregoico, sembrano abitare i protagonisti dei romanzi e dei racconti succitati e produrre, coi loro interrogativi deviati o elusi, i tormenti della falsa coscienza.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Voldemort’s Personality Change as Influenced by His Past Life and Psyche

This study discusses the personality change influenced by the past life in the antagonist character in J.K Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince The Past Experience has an effect in the antagonist character, Lord Voldemort. It is always interesting to discuss the effect of the past experience which can make a difference to someone’s character. Every Person has its own personality but the effect of the past life can make big impact to his/her personality. This study is aimed to analyze what kind of past life which affect the personality of the character, Lord Voldemort. The psychological theory will be used to give explanation about personality and changes of personalities. Furthermore, psychological approach will be used in this study because personality is one of the aspects of a person’s psychology.

CLASS TRANSFORMATION IN POST-INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

The Article is devoted to the discussion of evolution of the class structure of postindustrial society and the consequences associated with this process. In the course of preparation of this publication the author used various methods of general scientific nature, as well as applied the methodological tools of political science, history and philosophy. Logical-historical, comparative, futuristic, axiological and axiological-normative approaches were the main methods of the study. In the researches of domestic and foreign scientists devoted to the study of distinctive features and characteristics of postindustrial society, the trend of increasing role of science and knowledge being an important source of growth at the new stage of social development is fixed. Simultaneously, these two main strategic resources (science and knowledge) are the basis for the formation of a new class — «class of intellectuals», the creation of which is associated with the sharp social polarization, the emergence of new lines of class confrontation based on intellectual and social factors. The process of studying of this problem in the scientific discourse and the main conclusions arising from the generalizations which are present in scientific research are analysed in this article. Key criteria determining a person who belongs to the elite of post-industrial society at the present stage of social development are considered in this article. Evolution of views on the essence of the «class of intellectuals» and the causes determining its special role in the modern society are analysed in this article. Contradictions, generating class conflict between the new elite and the other social strata are also revealed in this article. The result of this study is the conclusion that the emerging post-industrial society, evolving in the direction of severely polarized class structure, is not able to overcome its antagonistic character and cannot be considered as the society of equality.

Selectivity and detrimental effects of epiphytic Pseudanabaena on Microcystis colonies

The cyanobacterium Microcystis aggregates into colonies with a mucilaginous sheath that constitutes a special microhabitat for many microorganisms that associate to it. Here, we examine the notorious, yet scarcely studied case of epiphytic association by the cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena sp. to colonial Microcystis. Co-cultivation of Pseudanabaena with different Microcystis strains evidenced strong specificity in the interaction, with dramatically different outcomes in each case, including (1) inability of Pseudanabaena to access the slime of Microcystis, (2) neutral co-existence of epiphytic Pseudanabaena and Microcystis, and (3) rapid epiphytic proliferation of Pseudanabaena, followed by lysis and rapid decay of Microcystis cells. Whereas strain-specific oligopeptide production could not explain the observed specificity, differences in slime microstructures among Microcystis strains revealed by low-temperature scanning electron microscopy suggest that slime structural features might initially determine the ability of Pseudanabaena to colonize Microcystis, subsequently driving the outcome of the interaction. Furthermore, even under “neutral” co-existence, Pseudanabaena proliferation results in an increase in density that leads to colony settling, implying potential selective losses under natural conditions. Both the selective and antagonistic characters of the interaction indicate that epiphytic Pseudanabaena have the potential to contribute to the dynamics of strains in natural Microcystis communities.

Impact of Social Context on Strategic Philanthropy: Theoretical Insight

Although the construct of corporate social responsibility has been on the agenda of academic research for more than five decades, it is obvious that with global challenges putting pressure on organizations to modify their modus operandi, interest in this domain is apt to grow. Organizations are pushed to shift from the formal CSR model to implementation of strategies, aimed at specific social targets and expectations. For many years the debate between society and business has had an antagonistic character, at the same time economic and social objectives were regarded as competing. However, in the modern world this perspective has been qualified as a false dichotomy, and the correlation between corporate goals and values, and societal achievements has been acknowledged. With legions of studies and theories in the field, the academic society is stuck in omnium-gatherum of terms, concepts, definitions and classifications. In this article we present an overview of the achievements of recent researches in the field, focusing on the influences of social context on managerial decisions in favour or against strategic philanthropy. We lay special emphasis on distinguishing between philanthropic activities and strategic philanthropy.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of a new series of selective σ(1) receptor ligands for the treatment of pain: 4-aminotriazoles.

The synthesis and pharmacological activity of a new series of 4-aminotriazoles as potent σ1 receptor (σ1R) ligands are reported. The compounds were prepared using a 4-5-step process, involving as a key step a click chemistry reaction between ynamides and azides. The most active compounds exhibited nanomolar potency for the σ1R, and the selectivity over the σ2R was improved on decreasing the central amine basicity. It was concluded that in order to achieve good σ1R potency a minimum lipophilicity was required, while limiting to a defined range of cLogP avoided human ether-a-go-go-related gene channel inhibition. This made the most interesting derivatives to be concentrated in a narrow margin of lipophilicity. Among them, compound 13g exhibited the most potent in vivo antinociceptive properties, which are indicative of its antagonist character.

A simple way of finding linked and antagonistic characters by means of table of characters used in the dendrite method

The author gives a new methodical solution based on the table of characters used in taxonomic examinations by the dendrite method worked out for the species of <i>Delia</i> Dum., <i>Spergula</i> L. and <i>Spergularia</i> Presl. growing in Poland. This methodical solution shows a simple way to find conjugate and antagonistic characters in the examined species and to determine which characters are related to each other in different organs.

Design and synthesis of silicon-containing steroid sulfatase inhibitors possessing pro-estrogen antagonistic character

Steroid sulfatase (STS) is a potential target for treatment of postmenopausal hormone-dependent breast cancer. Several steroidal STS inhibitors have been reported, but steroidal compounds are difficult to optimize and may interact with other targets. On the other hand, we have shown that diphenylmethane (DPM) derivatives act as estrogen receptor (ER) agonists and antagonists. Here, we aimed to design and synthesize non-steroidal DPM-type STS inhibitors that would also serve as pro-estrogen antagonists, releasing a metabolite with ERα-antagonistic activity upon hydrolysis by STS. We synthesized a series of compounds and evaluated their biological activities by means of STS-inhibitory activity assay and ER reporter gene assay. Among them, silicon-containing compound 16a showed strong STS-inhibitory activity (IC50=0.17μM). Further, its putative metabolite (12a) exhibited potent ERα-antagonistic activity (IC50=29.7nM).

Bifunctional Ligands Allow Deliberate Extrinsic Reprogramming of the Glucocorticoid Receptor

Therapies based on conventional nuclear receptor ligands are extremely powerful, yet their broad and long-term use is often hindered by undesired side effects that are often part of the receptor's biological function. Selective control of nuclear receptors such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) using conventional ligands has proven particularly challenging. Because they act solely in an allosteric manner, conventional ligands are constrained to act via cofactors that can intrinsically partner with the receptor. Furthermore, effective means to rationally encode a bias for specific coregulators are generally lacking. Using the (GR) as a framework, we demonstrate here a versatile approach, based on bifunctional ligands, that extends the regulatory repertoire of GR in a deliberate and controlled manner. By linking the macrolide FK506 to a conventional agonist (dexamethasone) or antagonist (RU-486), we demonstrate that it is possible to bridge the intact receptor to either positively or negatively acting coregulatory proteins bearing an FK506 binding protein domain. Using this strategy, we show that extrinsic recruitment of a strong activation function can enhance the efficacy of the full agonist dexamethasone and reverse the antagonist character of RU-486 at an endogenous locus. Notably, the extrinsic recruitment of histone deacetylase-1 reduces the ability of GR to activate transcription from a canonical GR response element while preserving ligand-mediated repression of nuclear factor-κB. By providing novel ways for the receptor to engage specific coregulators, this unique ligand design approach has the potential to yield both novel tools for GR study and more selective therapeutics.

La función argumentativa de la referencia explícita al público en la comedia temprana de Aristófanes

This work analyzes the argumentative function of the explicit reference to the public in the Aristophanic comedies, focusing on the political plays of the period of Cleon. In our opinion, the express mention of the public is crucial to understand which are the positive characters in the play. There are three types of characters that usually have the privilege of mentioning the spectators: the comic heroes, the choir and the slaves favourable to the hero, who has the leading role in the opening scene of some comedies. In all the cases, it is a positive character, who acts as a spokesman for the enunciator-author or collaborates with the plan of the hero. On the contrary, the antagonistic characters do not enjoy this prerogative. This clear difference demonstrates that the resource has an intentional use and an argumentative function in the early comedy.

Why we do things together: The social motivation for joint action

Joint action is a growing field of research, spanning across the cognitive, behavioral, and brain sciences as well as receiving considerable attention amongst philosophers. I argue that there has been a significant oversight within this field concerning the possibility that many joint actions are driven, at least in part, by agents' social motivations rather than merely by their shared intentions. Social motivations are not directly related to the (joint) target goal of the action. Instead, when agents are mutually socially motivated in joint action this is because they find acting with others rewarding in its own right. Moreover the involvement of social motivation in joint action typically enables individuals to achieve the long-term benefits associated with being part of a social bond. I argue that taking social motivations into account better prepares us for explaining a broader range of joint actions, including those that are of an antagonistic, competitive, or explorative character. Finally, I show that recognizing the importance of social motivations entails that joint actions (in general) should be understood as having the two primary functions of (1) achieving the intended target outcome of an action, and (2) attaining the benefits related to being part of a social bond.

Viability inhibition effect of gambogic acid combined with cisplatin on osteosarcoma cells via mitochondria-independent apoptotic pathway

We previously demonstrated that gambogic acid (GA) is a promising chemotherapeutic compound for human osteosarcoma treatment. The aim of this study was to detect whether the combination of lower-dose GA (0.3 mg/L) and cisplatin (CDDP) (1 mg/L) could perform a synergistic effect on inhibiting tumor in four osteosarcoma cell lines. Our results showed that the combination between GA at lower dose and CDDP significantly exerts a synergistic effect on inhibiting the cellular viability in MG63, HOS, and U2OS cells. In contrast, an antagonistic character was detected in SAOS2 cells exposed to the combined use of lower-dose GA (0.3 mg/L) and CDDP (1 mg/L). Then, analysis of cell cycle showed the combination of both drugs significantly induced the G2/M phase arrest, without any difference relative to GA treatment alone, in MG63 cells. Flow-cytometric analysis of cell apoptosis displayed that the apoptotic rate in the combination group is higher than that in GA treatment alone in MG63, HOS, and U2OS cells. The combined use of both drugs had no effect on mitochondrial membrane potential, but promoted the apoptosis-inducing function through triggering of CDDP in the three cell lines. By measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, the activity of caspase-3 and the expressions of caspase-8 and caspase-9, it was showed that the apoptosis-promoting effect of the combined use of both drugs could be dependent on the death receptor apoptosis pathway, not dependent on the mitochondria apoptosis mechanism. This research, for the first time, demonstrates that GA could increase the chemotherapeutic effect of CDDP in human osteosarcoma treatment through inducing the cell cycle arrest and promoting cell apoptosis.

The Effects of Profanity in Violent Video Games on Players' Hostile Expectations, Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings, and Other Responses

Although effects of violence in video games have been researched extensively, no empirical studies have examined effects of profanity, a form of verbal aggression, in video games. An experiment (N = 321) investigated effects of profanity used by protagonist and antagonist characters in a “first-person shooter” game on players' hostile expectations, accessibility of aggressive thoughts, aggressive feelings, and other responses. Profanity used by both protagonist and antagonist characters increased hostile expectations, a direct precursor to aggressive behaviors. Findings suggest that profanity in video games may affect aggressive outcomes, emphasizing the need for more research investigating effects of profanity in media.

Forever ‘Alone, Inside, Together?’ Isolation à deux in the Work of Rebecca Brown

Socially isolated couples play a crucial role in the work of the contemporary lesbian author, Rebecca Brown. The majority of her heroines are trapped in the couple form, a dangerous situation given the violent character of many of these ‘love’ relations. Brown’s portrayals of the risks of becoming isolated in or as a couple may help to counter the current prioritization of the love dyad (a heterosexual trend gays and lesbians are said to follow) and the resultant lack of interest in the wider community. Brown further shows how her (closeted) antagonist characters, who affirm the centrality of the couple and retreat into their homes, actually preserve the public-private dichotomy that guarantees the constant relegation of homosexuality to the domain of the unmentionable. While Brown also depicts queer ‘families of choice,’ she points out the influence of class and income on the possibility of creating more extensive relations to escape social seclusion, thereby giving voice to the experiences of a poorer (hence, often neglected) segment of the queer population.

Influence of soil type and environmental conditions on ZnO, TiO2 and Ni nanoparticles phytotoxicity

Intensive development of nanotechnology will result in releasing nanoparticles (NPs) to the environment including soil. The objective of the study was the evaluation of phytotoxicity of inorganic nanoparticles and their bulk counterparts (ZnO, TiO2 and Ni) in various soils using Phytotoxkit F™ method. The estimation of toxicity was conducted with relation to Lepidium sativum. The toxicity of NPs was also estimated in relation to contact time between NPs and soil, effect of light and temperature and NPs–NPs interactions. In all tested variants no effect of NPs on seed germination was observed. NPs displayed varied effect on inhibition of plant root growth in relation to soil type. Only in the case of ZnO nanoparticles and their bulk counterparts a dose–effect relationship was observed. That relationship, however, was observed only in OECD soil. In a majority of cases, aging and increase of temperature caused a reduction of toxicity of NPs, while light conditions increased the toxic effect of NPs. The effect of the NPs interaction: ZnO with TiO2 or Ni had an antagonistic character, that was manifested in a reduction of the toxicity of ZnO.

Relações antagônicas entre sentido e significado do trabalho no capital: uma análise na perspectiva ontológica

O estudo discute, à luz da ontologia marxiana, o caráter antagônico que marca as relações de trabalho na sociabilidade do capital. Assumindo o trabalho como complexo fundante do ser social e em articulação com a psicologia histórico-cultural, averigua o construto teórico de Leontiev, especificamente no que diz respeito ao antagonismo entre sentido e significado do trabalho, o estatuto ontológico do referido fenômeno e as condições de sua resolutividade. Por fim, revisita as elaborações de Mészáros sobre a crise estrutural do capital, a qual, estreitando sobremaneira o campo das possibilidades de realização de objetivações humano-genéricas, torna imperativa a luta emancipatória.

The struggle for liberation and visions of freedom perspectives in African films

Abstract In this paper, I will examine how films recreate memories of resistance and define, both visually and in film narration, the difference between imperial aggressors and local protagonists of resistance. The examples are taken from the Brazilian film Quilombo that describes the resistance of the 17th and 18th century Maroon communities against the onslaught of the Portuguese colonial powers (political and military). Med Hondo’s (Mauretania) Sarraounia deals with the resistance in West Africa against the Jihad of the Sokoto Fulani and the (in)famous French “exploratory” expedition under the command of Voulet. Both films are based on “real” histories as they were generally communicated from the colonialist perspective. And both films present themselves as counter-discursive revisions of history. The analysis in this paper focuses on the visual representation of the resistance heroes, first isolating them from the continuity of film narration in a type of still image, thus emphasizing the contrastive imagology between aggression and resistance. In the second step, aggressors and resistors are examined in terms of how they relate socially to their fellow combatants and to their communities. The obvious difference is that the aggressors have no immediate community to relate to socially or emotionally. Particular emphasis is put on the associative and symbolic meanings of the scenic setting, in which the antagonistic characters are placed.

A Basic Set of Homeostatic Controller Motifs

Adaptation and homeostasis are essential properties of all living systems. However, our knowledge about the reaction kinetic mechanisms leading to robust homeostatic behavior in the presence of environmental perturbations is still poor. Here, we describe, and provide physiological examples of, a set of two-component controller motifs that show robust homeostasis. This basic set of controller motifs, which can be considered as complete, divides into two operational work modes, termed as inflow and outflow control. We show how controller combinations within a cell can integrate uptake and metabolization of a homeostatic controlled species and how pathways can be activated and lead to the formation of alternative products, as observed, for example, in the change of fermentation products by microorganisms when the supply of the carbon source is altered. The antagonistic character of hormonal control systems can be understood by a combination of inflow and outflow controllers.

FoxA1 corrupts the antiandrogenic effect of bicalutamide but only weakly attenuates the effect of MDV3100 (Enzalutamide™)

Prostate cancer growth depends on androgens. Synthetic antiandrogens are used in the cancer treatment. However, antiandrogens, such as bicalutamide (BIC), have a mixed agonist/antagonist activity. Here we compare the antiandrogenic capacity of BIC to a new antiandrogen, MDV3100 (MDV) or Enzalutamide™. By reconstitution of a hormone-regulated enhancer in Xenopus oocytes we show that both antagonists trigger the androgen receptor (AR) translocation to the nucleus, albeit with a reduced efficiency for MDV. Once in the nucleus, both AR-antagonist complexes can bind sequence specifically to DNA in vivo. The forkhead box transcription factor A (FoxA1) is a negative prognostic indicator for prostate cancer disease. FoxA1 expression presets the enhancer chromatin and makes the DNA more accessible for AR binding. In this context the BIC-AR antiandrogenic effect is seriously compromised as demonstrated by a significant chromatin remodeling and induction of a robust MMTV transcription whereas the MDV-AR complex displays a more persistent antagonistic character.

Structural and mechanistic insights into bisphenols action provide guidelines for risk assessment and discovery of bisphenol A substitutes

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial compound and a well known endocrine-disrupting chemical with estrogenic activity. The widespread exposure of individuals to BPA is suspected to affect a variety of physiological functions, including reproduction, development, and metabolism. Here we report that the mechanisms by which BPA and two congeners, bisphenol AF and bisphenol C (BPC), bind to and activate estrogen receptors (ER) α and β differ from that used by 17β-estradiol. We show that bisphenols act as partial agonists of ERs by activating the N-terminal activation function 1 regardless of their effect on the C-terminal activation function 2, which ranges from weak agonism (with BPA) to antagonism (with BPC). Crystallographic analysis of the interaction between bisphenols and ERs reveals two discrete binding modes, reflecting the different activities of compounds on ERs. BPA and 17β-estradiol bind to ERs in a similar fashion, whereas, with a phenol ring pointing toward the activation helix H12, the orientation of BPC accounts for the marked antagonist character of this compound. Based on structural data, we developed a protocol for in silico evaluation of the interaction between bisphenols and ERs or other members of the nuclear hormone receptor family, such as estrogen-related receptor γ and androgen receptor, which are two known main targets of bisphenols. Overall, this study provides a wealth of tools and information that could be used for the development of BPA substitutes devoid of nuclear hormone receptor-mediated activity and more generally for environmental risk assessment.