Array Of Domains Research Articles

Morphology and Orientation in Thin Film of Polystyrene-<i>b</i>-Polylactide Prepared by Solution-Casting

The development of the morphology in asymmetric Polystyrene-b-Polylactide (PS-b-PLA) thin films was investigated by Tapping-mode AFM. The thin films were prepared by solution casting with different evaporation rates. Films were cast onto hydrophobic Si wafers. When PS-b-PLA was dissolved in chloroform, fast evaporation (~110nL/s) produced hexagonally packed perpendicular PLA cylinders in the PS matrix; intermediate evaporation (~25nL/s) generated mixed microstructures of PLA cylinders of either vertical or parallel to the substrate; slow evaporation (~9nL/s) produced the PLA cylinders that were fully parallel to the substrate. This simple one step route is shown where highly oriented, ordered arrays of cylindrical domains of PS-b-PLA can be produced over large distance.

Improvements In Health-Related Quality Of Life From Asteria I & II: Phase III Studies To Evaluate The Efficacy and Safety Of Omalizumab In Patients With Chronic Idiopathic/Spontaneous Urticaria Who Remain Symptomatic Despite H1 Antihistamine Treatment

To describe changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic idiopathic/spontaneous urticaria (CIU/CSU) using pooled data from the 12-week treatment periods of the ASTERIA I & II studies. Subjects (n=640) were randomized 1:1:1:1 and received placebo or omalizumab 75, 150 or 300 mg (PLB, OMA75, OMA150, OMA 300) at Baseline and Weeks 4 and 8. HRQOL was assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; overall score and subscales for symptoms and feelings, daily activities, leisure, work and school, personal relationships and treatment) at Baseline, Weeks 4 and 12. At Baseline, patients reported substantial HRQOL impairment. All treatment arms improved from Baseline to Week 12 in many of the DLQI domains; however, the largest improvements were seen in the omalizumab-treated patients (change from Baseline to Week 12 in overall DLQI, PLB -6.11, OMA75 -6.93, OMA150 -8.15, OMA300 -10.22). Compared to placebo, change from Baseline to Week 12 in overall DLQI was statistically significant for higher doses of omalizumab (OMA150, p=0.01 and OMA300 mg, p< 0.0001). Improvements in DLQI were observed after one administration of study drug, by the first post-Baseline assessment at Week 4, with additional improvement observed at Week 12. For all DLQI domains assessed, the greatest improvements were seen in patients treated with omalizumab 300 mg. In CIU/CSU patients who are symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment, omalizumab was efficacious in improving a broad array of HRQOL domains, as measured by the DLQI instrument.

Loss of CSMD1 or 2 may contribute to the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer patients

CUB and sushi multiple domain protein 1 (CSMD1) is a candidate tumor suppressor gene. The three members of CSMD family have very similar structures, each consisting of 14 CUB domains separated from one another by a sushi domain, an additional uninterrupted array of sushi domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. In this work, we aimed to study the protein and mRNA levels of the CSMD1, CSMD2, and CSMD3 and evaluate their prognostic importance in colorectal cancer. Reduced expressions of these three proteins were detected in colorectal cancer tissues by comparing matched normal tissues. Low CSMD2 expression was significantly associated with differentiation, lymphatic invasion, and tumor size. CSMD3 was associated with differentiation and lymphatic invasion. CSMD1 and CSMD2 expressions were associated with overall survival. This study offers convincing evidence for the first time that the three genes of CSMD family were downregulated in the patients with colorectal cancer and may be used as predictors of colorectal cancer.

Novel optical anisotropy of a liquid crystalline “cubic” phase in a discotic crown ether derivative

To obtain a columnar structure with nucleophilic channels embedded in the column centres, we synthesized a series of new crown ether derivatives (compounds 1, 2, and 3) which are composed of a core of dibenzo-24-crown-8 symmetrically surrounded by four identical substituents. Experimental results indicate that compounds 2 and 3 with smaller substituents around the dibenzo-24-crown-8 core form only crystalline phases, while compound 1 bearing larger dendron substituents on the molecular periphery shows multiple liquid crystalline phase transitions. X-ray diffraction demonstrates that 1 can stack parallel to form a hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline (Colh) phase. A stable phase, which renders the diffraction features of a body-centred cubic (BCC) structure and shows unexpected optical anisotropy, is observed in between the Colh and the isotropic state. On the basis of further support from model calculations, we propose that the optically anisotropic “BCC” structure is an array of ellipsoidal domains placed in the BCC lattice with their long axis along the [111] direction, which results from the periodic density fluctuation of the columns.

Allelic Forms Of PRDM9 Associated With High Hyperdiploid Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Whilst a great deal is known about acquired somatic aberrations associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of acute leukaemias, relatively little is known about the effects of germline variation. A recent study reported a link between germline variations in the zinc finger (ZnF) binding domain array of the PR domain-containing 9 (PRDM9) gene, regulator of meiotic recombination, with the development of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children. An excess of rare PRDM9 alleles that affect meiotic recombination events were seen in parents of children affected with B-cell precursor ALL (pre-B-ALL), and in an independent cohort of children with pre-B-ALL; in particular in aneuploid and infant ALL. In the present study, we carried out Sanger sequencing to investigate variation of PRDM9 alleles in a cohort of parents (n=59) with children diagnosed with high hyperdiploid ALL (HeH; 51-67 chromosomes) (n=31) and a control cohort of individuals (n=66) from the south of Sweden. Whereas similar numbers of rare PRDM9 alleles were observed in both groups, a larger number of rare alleles that affect recombination events were observed in the parents from the family cohort with children diagnosed with HeH ALL compared to individuals of the population control cohort (15.3% vs. 4.5%, P=0.0414). Two-thirds of the parents transmitted the rare allele to their affected children. A previously unreported ZnF repeat was also detected in two individuals of the control cohort but it was not detected in the family cohort. A statistically significant difference in frequency of rare alleles affecting recombination events between the two groups indicates a true association between PRDM9 allelic forms and HeH ALL in an independent cohort. Thus, our results confirm the previous findings that PRDM9 may play a role in the development of childhood ALL. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Cellular Localization and Characterization of Cytosolic Binding Partners for Gla Domain-containing Proteins PRRG4 and PRRG2

The genes encoding a family of proteins termed proline-rich γ-carboxyglutamic acid (PRRG) proteins were identified and characterized more than a decade ago, but their functions remain unknown. These novel membrane proteins have an extracellular γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) protein domain and cytosolic WW binding motifs. We screened WW domain arrays for cytosolic binding partners for PRRG4 and identified novel protein-protein interactions for the protein. We also uncovered a new WW binding motif in PRRG4 that is essential for these newly found protein-protein interactions. Several of the PRRG-interacting proteins we identified are essential for a variety of physiologic processes. Our findings indicate possible novel and previously unidentified functions for PRRG proteins.

Brain-specific Angiogenesis Inhibitor-1 Signaling, Regulation, and Enrichment in the Postsynaptic Density

Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor-1 (BAI1) is an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor that has been studied primarily for its anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties. We found that overexpression of BAI1 results in activation of the Rho pathway via a Gα(12/13)-dependent mechanism, with truncation of the BAI1 N terminus resulting in a dramatic enhancement in receptor signaling. This constitutive activity of the truncated BAI1 mutant also resulted in enhanced downstream phosphorylation of ERK as well as increased receptor association with β-arrestin2 and increased ubiquitination of the receptor. To gain insights into the regulation of BAI1 signaling, we screened the C terminus of BAI1 against a proteomic array of PDZ domains to identify novel interacting partners. These screens revealed that the BAI1 C terminus interacts with a variety of PDZ domains from synaptic proteins, including MAGI-3. Removal of the BAI1 PDZ-binding motif resulted in attenuation of receptor signaling to Rho but had no effect on ERK activation. Conversely, co-expression with MAGI-3 was found to potentiate signaling to ERK by constitutively active BAI1 in a manner that was dependent on the PDZ-binding motif of the receptor. Biochemical fractionation studies revealed that BAI1 is highly enriched in post-synaptic density fractions, a finding consistent with our observations that BAI1 can interact with PDZ proteins known to be concentrated in the post-synaptic density. These findings demonstrate that BAI1 is a synaptic receptor that can activate both the Rho and ERK pathways, with the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the receptor playing key roles in the regulation of BAI1 signaling activity.

Modeling and Assessing Sustainable Enterprise Excellence

ABSTRACTThe enterprise excellence and modern sustainability movements have developed along near parallel timelines. Skilled use of enterprise excellence systems has been documented to significantly boost performance across an array of key domains, including financial, human capital, operations and supply chain, and other areas. Notably absent are social and environmental performance, with their absence attributable to the inadequate emphasis on enterprise excellence of these domains. Similarly, although the triple bottom line is core to the sustainability movement, many adherents of sustainability approach its people and planet domains with ardor, yet virtually neglect its profit domain. A simple model of sustainable enterprise excellence and accompanying maturity assessment regimen are introduced and advanced as a means of merging these movements to drive an equity, ecology and economy triple top line strategy to produce triple bottom line people, planet and profit performance with innovation and organizational design playing pivotal roles in both the model and its assessment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Potassium-Chloride Cotransporter 3 Interacts with Vav2 to Synchronize the Cell Volume Decrease Response with Cell Protrusion Dynamics

Loss-of-function of the potassium-chloride cotransporter 3 (KCC3) causes hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with agenesis of the corpus callosum (HMSN/ACC), a severe neurodegenerative disease associated with defective midline crossing of commissural axons in the brain. Conversely, KCC3 over-expression in breast, ovarian and cervical cancer is associated with enhanced tumor cell malignancy and invasiveness. We identified a highly conserved proline-rich sequence within the C-terminus of the cotransporter which when mutated leads to loss of the KCC3-dependent regulatory volume decrease (RVD) response in Xenopus Laevis oocytes. Using SH3 domain arrays, we found that this poly-proline motif is a binding site for SH3-domain containing proteins in vitro. This approach identified the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Vav2 as a candidate partner for KCC3. KCC3/Vav2 physical interaction was confirmed using GST-pull down assays and immuno-based experiments. In cultured cervical cancer cells, KCC3 co-localized with the active form of Vav2 in swelling-induced actin-rich protruding sites and within lamellipodia of spreading and migrating cells. These data provide evidence of a molecular and functional link between the potassium-chloride co-transporters and the Rho GTPase-dependent actin remodeling machinery in RVD, cell spreading and cell protrusion dynamics, thus providing new insights into KCC3's involvement in cancer cell malignancy and in corpus callosum agenesis in HMSN/ACC.

Forensic psychological public safety risk assessment integrated with culturally responsive treatment for juvenile fire setters: DSM‐5 implications

PurposeThis paper aims to present an overview of a variety of risk assessment issues that are of particular relevance for work with juvenile fire setters in clinical and forensic settings. The paper seeks to consider Juvenile Fire Setting (JFS)‐Youthful Misuse of Fire (YMF) across a broad array of clinical domains, including developmental, prognostic, and the diagnostic utility anticipated by using the DSM‐5. National standards and risk assessment levels are to be examined.Design/methodology/approachThe paper includes a comprehensive review of the research and practices related to juvenile fire setters. This review included assessment and intervention resources that are used in diverse practice environments. The authors reviewed the literature to establish a nexus between risk assessment and community‐based interventions which were illustrated by a nationally recognized YMF mental health program (FATJAM).FindingsThe paper provides empirically‐based insights into key issues for working with these forensic cases. It offers discussion regarding diagnostic issues that are relevant to the DSM‐5.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the conceptual or theoretical approach used, the research basis for generalizations is restricted to the practice‐based analyses provided by the authors. Therefore, practitioners and researchers are urged to further test the observations and conclusions presented.Originality/valueThis paper is unique in that it increases the knowledge base related to the diagnostic applications with the DSM‐5, as well as evidence‐based interventions for JFS as it pertains to public safety.

Does “Science” Make You Moral? The Effects of Priming Science on Moral Judgments and Behavior

BackgroundPrevious work has noted that science stands as an ideological force insofar as the answers it offers to a variety of fundamental questions and concerns; as such, those who pursue scientific inquiry have been shown to be concerned with the moral and social ramifications of their scientific endeavors. No studies to date have directly investigated the links between exposure to science and moral or prosocial behaviors.Methodology/Principal FindingsAcross four studies, both naturalistic measures of science exposure and experimental primes of science led to increased adherence to moral norms and more morally normative behaviors across domains. Study 1 (n = 36) tested the natural correlation between exposure to science and likelihood of enforcing moral norms. Studies 2 (n = 49), 3 (n = 52), and 4 (n = 43) manipulated thoughts about science and examined the causal impact of such thoughts on imagined and actual moral behavior. Across studies, thinking about science had a moralizing effect on a broad array of domains, including interpersonal violations (Studies 1, 2), prosocial intentions (Study 3), and economic exploitation (Study 4).Conclusions/SignificanceThese studies demonstrated the morally normative effects of lay notions of science. Thinking about science leads individuals to endorse more stringent moral norms and exhibit more morally normative behavior. These studies are the first of their kind to systematically and empirically test the relationship between science and morality. The present findings speak to this question and elucidate the value-laden outcomes of the notion of science.

Micropatterned co-culture of hepatocyte spheroids layered on non-parenchymal cells to understand heterotypic cellular interactions

Microfabrication and micropatterning techniques in tissue engineering offer great potential for creating and controlling cellular microenvironments including cell–matrix interactions, soluble stimuli and cell–cell interactions. Here, we present a novel approach to generate layered patterning of hepatocyte spheroids on micropatterned non-parenchymal feeder cells using microfabricated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. Micropatterned PEG-hydrogel-treated substrates with two-dimensional arrays of gelatin circular domains (φ = 100 μm) were prepared by photolithographic method. Only on the critical structure of PEG hydrogel with perfect protein rejection, hepatocytes were co-cultured with non-parenchymal cells to be led to enhanced hepatocyte functions. Then, we investigated the mechanism of the functional enhancement in co-culture with respect to the contributions of soluble factors and direct cell–cell interactions. In particular, to elucidate the influence of soluble factors on hepatocyte function, hepatocyte spheroids underlaid with fibroblasts (NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts) or endothelial cells (BAECs: bovine aortic endothelial cells) were compared with physically separated co-culture of hepatocyte monospheroids with NIH3T3 or BAEC using trans-well culture systems. Our results suggested that direct heterotypic cell-to-cell contact and soluble factors, both of these between hepatocytes and fibroblasts, significantly enhanced hepatocyte functions. In contrast, direct heterotypic cell-to-cell contact between hepatocytes and endothelial cells only contributed to enhance hepatocyte functions. This patterning technique can be a useful experimental tool for applications in basic science, drug screening and tissue engineering, as well as in the design of artificial liver devices.

Measurement of Sexual Health in the U.S.: An Inventory of Nationally Representative Surveys and Surveillance Systems

To identify opportunities within nationally representative surveys and surveillance systems to measure indicators of sexual health, we reviewed and inventoried existing data systems that include variables relevant to sexual health. We searched for U.S. nationally representative surveys and surveillance systems that provided individual-level sexual health data. We assessed the methods of each data system and catalogued them by their measurement of the following domains of sexual health: knowledge, communication, attitudes, service access and utilization, sexual behaviors, relationships, and adverse health outcomes. We identified 18 U.S.-focused, nationally representative data systems: six assessing the general population, seven focused on special populations, and five addressing health outcomes. While these data systems provide a rich repository of information from which to assess national measures of sexual health, they present several limitations. Most importantly, apart from data on service utilization, routinely gathered, national data are currently focused primarily on negative aspects of sexual health (e.g., risk behaviors and adverse health outcomes) rather than more positive attributes (e.g., healthy communication and attitudes, and relationship quality). Nationally representative data systems provide opportunities to measure a broad array of domains of sexual health. However, current measurement gaps indicate the need to modify existing surveys, where feasible and appropriate, and develop new tools to include additional indicators that address positive domains of sexual health of the U.S. population across the life span. Such data can inform the development of effective policy actions, services, prevention programs, and resource allocation to advance sexual health.

Identification of PDZ Domain Containing Proteins Interacting with 1.2 and PMCA4b

PDZ (PSD-95/Disc large/Zonula occludens-1) protein interaction domains bind to cytoplasmic protein C-termini of transmembrane proteins. In order to identify new interaction partners of the voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channel 1.2 and the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase 4b (PMCA4b), we used PDZ domain arrays probing for 124 PDZ domains. We confirmed this by GST pull-downs and immunoprecipitations. In PDZ arrays, strongest interactions with 1.2 and PMCA4b were found for the PDZ domains of SAP-102, MAST-205, MAGI-1, MAGI-2, MAGI-3, and ZO-1. We observed binding of the 1.2 C-terminus to PDZ domains of NHERF1/2, Mint-2, and CASK. PMCA4b was observed to interact with Mint-2 and its known interactions with Chapsyn-110 and CASK were confirmed. Furthermore, we validated interaction of 1.2 and PMCA4b with NHERF1/2, CASK, MAST-205 and MAGI-3 via immunoprecipitation. We also verified the interaction of 1.2 and nNOS and hypothesized that nNOS overexpression might reduce Ca2+ influx through 1.2. To address this, we measured Ca2+ currents in HEK 293 cells co-expressing 1.2 and nNOS and observed reduced voltage-dependent 1.2 activation. Taken together, we conclude that 1.2 and PMCA4b bind promiscuously to various PDZ domains, and that our data provides the basis for further investigation of the physiological consequences of these interactions.

Effects of Polymer and Salt Concentration on the Structure and Properties of Triblock Copolymer Coacervate Hydrogels

Structure–property relationships were established for complex coacervate hydrogels formed from binary aqueous solutions of oppositely charged ABA triblock copolymers. The charged triblock copolymers were synthesized by functionalizing poly[(allyl glycidyl ether)-b-(ethylene oxide)-b-(allyl glycidyl ether)] with either guanidinium or sulfonate functional groups. When aqueous solutions (ca. 5–40 wt %) of these oppositely charged polymers were mixed, the electrostatic interactions of the functionalized blocks led to the association of the oppositely charged end-blocks into phase-separated complex coacervate domains bridged by the uncharged, hydrophilic PEO midblock. The resulting structures were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy. The organization of the coacervate domains was shown to affect substantially the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels, with the storage modulus increasing significantly as the mixtures transformed from a disordered array of domains to an ordered BCC structure with increasing block copolymer concentration. As the polymer concentration was further increased to 30 wt %, a hexagonal structure appeared, which coincided with a 25% drop in the modulus. Further structural changes, resulting in variations in the viscoelastic response, were also induced through changes in salt concentration. The viscoelastic properties and the physical nature of the cross-links have important implications for the applicability of these gels as injectable drug delivery systems.

Explorations in Creativity: The M.U.S.I.C. Model Self-Assessment Scale

The importance of creativity in a wide array of domains - including education, business, science, technology as well as the arts - has been well documented and emphasized for decades. Many researchers suggest that creativity can be enhanced, and while a clear answer as to how this might be accomplished is not to be found, much research has been conducted and many suggestions have been made. In the present study, these potential influences have been explored, categorized and integrated into a multidimensional scale with the aim and the hope that it will be a useful tool in the complex process of creativity enhancement. Based on the existing literature, rationale is provided for five sub-constructs (motivation, uncommon commitment, skill, imagination and courage: M.U.S.I.C.), and an initial pool of 50-65 items were generated for each sub-construct for a total of 300 items. Guidelines for creating effective scales were applied and seven experts provided ratings and comments resulting in an adjusted scale of 80 items, 16 for each element. Participants in this study included 101 individuals (37 male; 64 female) aged 26 to 79 who were actively engaged in creative work and identified themselves as painters, singer/songwriters, musicians, poets, sculptors or writers. Results and discussion include an exploration of internal consistency, limitations and suggestions for future research.

The extraction and integration framework: A two-process account of statistical learning.

The term statistical learning in infancy research originally referred to sensitivity to transitional probabilities. Subsequent research has demonstrated that statistical learning contributes to infant development in a wide array of domains. The range of statistical learning phenomena necessitates a broader view of the processes underlying statistical learning. Learners are sensitive to a much wider range of statistical information than the conditional relations indexed by transitional probabilities, including distributional and cue-based statistics. We propose a novel framework that unifies learning about all of these kinds of statistical structure. From our perspective, learning about conditional relations outputs discrete representations (such as words). Integration across these discrete representations yields sensitivity to cues and distributional information. To achieve sensitivity to all of these kinds of statistical structure, our framework combines processes that extract segments of the input with processes that compare across these extracted items. In this framework, the items extracted from the input serve as exemplars in long-term memory. The similarity structure of those exemplars in long-term memory leads to the discovery of cues and categorical structure, which guides subsequent extraction. The extraction and integration framework provides a way to explain sensitivity to both conditional statistical structure (such as transitional probabilities) and distributional statistical structure (such as item frequency and variability), and also a framework for thinking about how these different aspects of statistical learning influence each other.

Functional copolymer brushes composed of a hydrophobic backbone and densely grafted conjugated side chains via a combination of living polymerization with click chemistry

A series of well-defined copolymer brushes, PS-g-P3HT, composed of a hydrophobic coil-like PS backbone and densely grafted rod-like P3HT side chains were successfully synthesized by a combination of the quasi-living Grignard metathesis (GRIM) method, reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT), and click reaction. The molecular weight distribution of the resulting PS-g-P3HT copolymer brushes was rather narrow (polydispersity index, PDI 96%). The self-assembly of PS-g-P3HT at the air/water interface was explored using the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique. Quite intriguingly, circular domain arrays composed of the non-crystallized P3HT nanofibers were observed at high surface pressure.

Stochastic Simulation of Scalar Mixing Capturing Unsteadiness and Small-scale Structure Based on Mean-flow Properties

A key limitation of Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation of mixing and reaction in turbulent flows is the lack of resolution of small-scale structure and associated unsteadiness. Various subgrid models formulated in state space have been developed to complement the RANS solution in this regard. We here introduce a physical-space formulation that captures unsteady advective and diffusive processes at all scales of the turbulent flow. The approach is a 3D construction based on the Linear Eddy Model (LEM), involving three orthogonally intersecting arrays of 1D LEM domains, and coupled so as to capture the 3D character of fluid trajectories. To illustrate the model performance of the 3D LEM-based formulation, here termed LEM3D, multi-stream mixing in a turbulent round jet is simulated using measured mean-flow properties as input. Comparison to scalar cross-correlation coefficients and other measured properties of this mixing configuration indicate that the LEM3D approach, in conjunction with flow properties that are provided by steady-state models, is a useful representation of complex turbulent mixing processes that would otherwise be difficult to capture within a steady-state CFD framework.

Topographically induced hierarchical assembly and geometrical transformation of focal conic domain arrays in smectic liquid crystals

Controlling topological defects in 3D liquid crystal phases is a crucial element in the development of novel devices, from blue-phase displays to passive biochemical sensors. However, it remains challenging to realize the 3D topological conditions necessary to robustly and arbitrarily direct the formation of defects. Here, using a series of short pillar arrays as topological templates, we demonstrate the hierarchical assembly of focal conic domains (FCDs) in smectic-A liquid crystals that break the underlying symmetry of the pillar lattice, exhibit tunable eccentricity, and together develop a nontrivial yet organized array of defects. The key to our approach lies in the selection of the appropriate ratio of the size of focal domain to the dimension of pillars such that the system favors the "pinning" of FCD centers near pillar edges while avoiding the opposing effect of confinement. Our study unequivocally shows that the arrangement of FCDs is strongly influenced by the height and shape of the pillars, a feature that promotes both a variety of nontrivial self-assembled lattice types and the attraction of FCD centers to pillar edges, especially at regions of high curvature. Finally, we propose a geometric model to reconstruct the smectic layer structure in the gaps between neighboring FCDs to estimate the energetic effects of nonzero eccentricity and assess their thermodynamic stability.