bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Damas indias: America's Iconic Body and the Wars of Conquest in the Spanish Comedia
Authors: Quintana Benito
Published: December 2010

In the comedias de Indias , the Christianization of America, the glory of the Spanish monarchs, and the deeds of the conquistadors are showcased as the motivations that drive the wars of conquest. The visual iconography developed in Europe after the encounter with America allegorized the New World as a woman whose nude body and aggressive nature was framed by exotic flora and fauna. In contrast, Europa was portrayed as a fully dressed woman surrounded by symbols of order, knowledge, religion, and war. This representation reinforced the notion of Europaís self-assigned rightful ownership of true culture and civilization and a right for conquest and colonization. This need for America to be conquered in order to conform to Europa's idealized perception of culture and civilization is fictionalized in the comedias de Indias , in which the playwrights present onstage the sensual, exotic, and aggressive nature of the indigenous females, and the Christian and civilizing purpose of the European conquistadors. The romantic desires connecting the damas indias to the galanes españoles , the complexity of the intrigues and romances as presented on the stage and the visual iconography of the period evidence how the battles between the conquistadors and the indigenous men can be seen as symbolic attempts to wrest America away from the galanes indios who tenuously possess her.
The Converso Perspective in El aucto de los desposorios de José
Authors: Patterson Charles
Published: December 2010

El aucto de los desposorios de José is one of several plays of the Golden Age based on the Old Testament story of Joseph. It is unique, however, because its primary source material is not the Bible, but rather a late-classical Hellenistic Jewish novel entitled Joseph and Aseneth . This essay analyzes the play's adaptation of its source material to a sixteenth-century context. I argue that Desposorios subverts the prevailing emphasis on blood purity in Spain by converting a Jewish story into a dramatization of Christian conversion. Through the process of adaptation, the anonymous playwright inscribes a converso perspective on the story, characterized by a sense of equality, a socially critical attitude, and ambiguous communication. The overall effect is an appropriation of Christian values in order to make the argument for the full acceptance of New Christians into Spanish society. This subversive element to the play makes it worthy of more scholarly attention than it has previously received.
Recruiting the Literary Tradition: Lope de Vega's Fuenteovejuna as Cultural Weapon during the Spanish Civil War
Authors: Parker Jason T.
Published: December 2010

Few readers or spectators disagree about the internal dynamics of Lope de Vega's play Fuenteovejuna (1612). The people of Fuenteovejuna rise against a tyrannical, unjust ruler who fails in his duties as a nobleman and represents a threat to the village's loyalty to the Catholic monarchs of Spain. Nonetheless, external factors lead Fuenteovejuna to remain a highly controversial work that has been read and interpreted in wildly divergent ways. This paper examines contradictory approaches to the play during the Spanish Civil War in order to consider how contexts and influences outside the text perform a vital role in its interpretation. Contemporary sociopolitical issues colored Nationalist and Republican approaches to Fuenteovejuna , thereby producing radically dissonant readings of Lope's work that justified each group's ideological position within the civil conflict. The desire to find symbolic or allegorical meaning in the characters and circumstances of the drama opens the way for modern ideologies, politics, social issues, and cultural paradigms to flood the work with new meanings.
Royal Obligation and the "Uncontrolled Female" in Ana Caro's El conde Partinuplés
Authors: Ellis Jonathan
Published: December 2010

In her adaptation of the medieval romance that served as the source material for her comedia , Ana Caro preserved in her title the name of the original titular hero Partinuplés, yet she chose to make the protagonist of her work Rosaura, empress of Constantinople. This crucial change allows her to present the perspective of a female character forced to operate as a monarch within the expectations of a patriarchal system of government. The circumstances are analogous to Caro herself working within the male-established customs and expectations of comedia authorship. In the play, one issue in particular serves as the focus and source of all the conflict: Rosaura must contend with the demand of her subjects that she marry and produce an heir. While the matter of succession must be in some way addressed by all monarchs, it is a problematic one for a female monarch if there is a suspicion that the marriage is a means of containing and controlling her. Rosaura's situation is further complicated by the presence of a prophecy in the plot that foretells disaster to herself and her kingdom should she marry. This essay specifically examines the methods and character of Caro's heroine in dealing with these circumstances. In her absolute dedication to fulfilling her duty and obligations, she serves as an exemplum for Partinuplés. In addition, she insists on the right of consent in the marriage and thereby hopes to avoid the disaster of the prophecy, illustrating a common concern for female characters of the comedia , the desire to subvert arranged marriages. This essay further contextualizes the question of female rule and royal marriage in light of the literary model of Lope de Vega's La reina Juana de Nápoles and the historical models of Elizabeth I of England and Isabel of Castile.
The Participation Paradox, or Agency and Sociality in Contemporary Youth Cultures
Authors: Poyntz Stuart R.
Published: December 2010

The papers included in this section were originally presented as part of a round table on “Participatory Ontologies and Youth Cultures,” hosted by the Association for Research in Cultures of Young People (ARCYP) at the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities in Montreal on 31 May 2010.
The Neogene transition from C3to C4grasslands in North America: assemblage analysis of fossil phytoliths
Authors: Strömberg Caroline A. E. , McInerney Francesca A.
Published: December 2010

The rapid ecological expansion of grasses with C4photosynthesis at the end of the Neogene (8–2 Ma) is well documented in the fossil record of stable carbon isotopes. As one of the most profound vegetation changes to occur in recent geologic time, it paved the way for modern tropical grassland ecosystems. Changes in CO2levels, seasonality, aridity, herbivory, and fire regime have all been suggested as potential triggers for this broadly synchronous change, long after the evolutionary origin of the C4pathway in grasses. To date, these hypotheses have suffered from a lack of direct evidence for floral composition and structure during this important transition. This study aimed to remedy the problem by providing the first direct, relatively continuous record of vegetation change for the Great Plains of North America for the critical interval (ca. 12–2 Ma) using plant silica (phytolith) assemblages.

Phytoliths were extracted from late Miocene-Pliocene paleosols in Nebraska and Kansas. Quantitative phytolith analysis of the 14 best-preserved assemblages indicates that habitats varied substantially in openness during the middle to late Miocene but became more uniformly open, corresponding to relatively open grassland or savanna, during the late Miocene and early Pliocene. Phytolith data also point to a marked increase of grass short cells typical of chloridoid and other potentially C4grasses of the PACMAD clade between 8 and 5 Ma; these data suggest that the proportion of these grasses reached up to ∼50–60% of grasses, resulting in mixed C3-C4and highly heterogeneous grassland communities by 5.5 Ma. This scenario is consistent with interpretations of isotopic records from paleosol carbonates and ungulate tooth enamel. The rise in abundance of chloridoids, which were present in the central Great Plains since the early Miocene, demonstrates that the “globally” observed lag between C4grass evolution/taxonomic diversification and ecological expansion occurred at the regional scale. These patterns of vegetation alteration imply that environmental change during the late Miocene-Pliocene played a major role in the C3-C4shift in the Great Plains. Specifically, the importance of chloridoids as well as a decline in the relative abundance of forest indicator taxa, including palms, point to climatic drying as a key trigger for C4dominance.
Fimbriae of Porphyromonas gingivalis are Important for Initial Invasion of Osteoblasts, but Not for Inhibition of Their Differentiation and Mineralization
Authors: Zhang Wenjian , Ju Jun , Rigney Todd , Tribble Gena D.
Published: December 2010

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis is etiologically associated with chronic periodontitis. The major fimbriae of this periodontal pathogen mediate binding to host gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts, a critical function in the initiation of periodontitis. However, the role of fimbriae in P. gingivalis–osteoblast interactions remains unknown. In the present study, the involvement of major fimbriae in the initial and long‐term interactions between P. gingivalis and osteoblasts is investigated.

Methods: Primary mouse calvarial osteoblast cultures were established and inoculated with P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 or YPF1, a major fimbriae–deficient mutant of P. gingivalis. Confocal microscopy images were acquired to assess bacterial invasion. DNA content measurement, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and alizarin red S staining and calcium content analysis were used to study the impact of bacteria on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts, respectively.

Results: Compared to the parent strain, YPF1 was significantly reduced in invasion of osteoblasts after 3 hours interaction. However, extended culture of infected osteoblasts did not reveal significant differences in persistence between the two strains. Proliferation of osteoblasts was not affected by either strain, and differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts were inhibited by both strains to comparable levels.

Conclusion: This study reveals that major fimbriae are involved in the initial invasion of osteoblasts by P. gingivalis, but are not essential for the subsequent inhibition of osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in long‐term culture.
Nicotine‐Induced Damage Affects Gingival Fibroblasts in the Gingival Tissue of Rats
Authors: Milanezi de Almeida Juliano , Bosco Alvaro Francisco , Bonfante Samara , Theodoro Letícia Helena , Nagata Maria José Hitomi , Garcia Valdir Gouveia
Published: December 2010

Background: Very limited information is available from in vivo studies about whether smoking and/or nicotine affect gingival tissues in the absence of plaque. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the systemic administration of nicotine in the proliferation and counting of fibroblast‐like cells in the gingival tissue of rats.

Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into two groups to receive subcutaneous injections of a saline solution (control group = group C) or nicotine solution (group N; 3 mg/kg) twice a day. The animals were euthanized 37, 44, or 51 days after the first subcutaneous injection. Specimens were routinely processed for serial histologic sections. Five fields of view in the connective tissue adjacent to the gingival epithelium and above the alveolar bone crest of the maxillary first molar were selected for the counting of fibroblast‐like cells. Data were statistically analyzed (P <0.05).

Results: The intergroup analysis detected a lower number of fibroblast‐like cells in group N compared to group C on days 37 (2.65 ± 1.41 and 6.67 ± 3.25, respectively), 44 (2.70 ± 1.84 and 8.57 ± 2.37, respectively), and 51 (2.09 ± 1.41 and 7.49 ± 2.60, respectively) (P <0.05). The quantification of fibroblast‐like cells showed no significant difference (P >0.05) in the intragroup analysis of control and nicotine throughout experimental periods. In the intergroup analysis, group N had reduced proliferating cell nuclear antigen–positive fibroblasts compared to group C in all periods (P <0.05).

Conclusion: The daily systemic administration of nicotine negatively affected, in vivo, the number and proliferation of fibroblast‐like cells in the gingival tissue of rats.
Where Does One Look When Viewing Artwork in a Museum?
Authors: Heidenreich Susan M. , Turano Kathleen A.
Published: December 2010

Four participants viewed artwork (5 abstract and 9 representational paintings) displayed in a museum, while wearing a portable eye tracker. We tested whether features in the paintings would determine the viewers' saccade-fixation patterns and viewing times. Participants produced unique eye-movement patterns that varied with each painting, regardless of genre. Some fixations clustered on features, predefined as informative of a narrative illustrated by the painting, whereas other fixations fell on homogenous patches of color; however, the features selected for fixation varied considerably across viewers and paintings. Participants' mean fixation durations for abstract artwork increased as viewing time progressed, suggesting that eye movement patterns change over time. Participants' aesthetic judgments of the paintings were not significantly correlated with fixation durations or viewing time, contrary to our predictions. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive factors that may influence eye movements made when viewing artwork in a real-world setting.
A Delicate Balance: Building Complementary Customary and State Legal Systems
Authors: Toomey Leigh T
Published: December 2010

Development assistance programs in the law and justice sector have traditionally focused on reforming state legal institutions to the exclusion of customary legal systems. This is often because of host country pressure to achieve quick results, limited familiarity of foreign lawyers with the concepts of customary law, and donor reluctance to support customs that substantively or procedurally violate human rights norms. Yet, rule of law practitioners deployed to developing and post-conflict countries are increasingly confronted with the reality that customary legal systems are the preferred and, for the foreseeable future, the only viable means of dispute resolution available to the vast majority of people. Given the empirical evidence on the high level of recourse to customary law, this paper argues that customary legal systems are integral to development, and that both customary and state legal systems have a role to play in a functional justice sector. However, there is little systematic guidance for practitioners in the field, many of whom have had no previous exposure to customary law, on exactly what options are available to engage both systems and the issues that different types of interventions raise. This paper sets out a framework of policy options for programs that seek to harness the respective strengths of customary and state legal systems, giving examples of initiatives that have attempted to do this. The paper concludes by proposing good practices for rule of law practitioners to follow in supporting customary and state legal systems that co-exist in a manner which advances peace, economic growth and sustainable development.
Synthesis and characterization of coordination polymers prepared from CuII and NiII cyclam perchlorate and carmosine
Authors: Vlassa Mihaela , Borodi George , Blăniţa Gabriela , Cojocaru Ileana , Vlassa Mircea , Silvestru Cristian
Published: December 2010

Reaction of [CuII(cyclam)](ClO4)2 or [NiII(cyclam)](ClO4)2 in DMF with aqueous 4-hydroxy-3-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo)naphthalen-1-sulfonate disodium salt (carmoisine) yielded coordination polymers {[CuII(cyclam)](carmoisine dianion)(H2O)5}n and powder {[NiII(cyclam)](carmoisine dianion)}n, respectively (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradecane). They were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman spectrometry and TGA.
An explicit formula of Atkinson type for the product of the Riemann zeta-function and a Dirichlet polynomial
Authors: Ishikawa Hideaki , Matsumoto Kohji
Published: December 2010

We prove an explicit formula of Atkinson type for the error term in the asymptotic formula for the mean square of the product of the Riemann zeta-function and a Dirichlet polynomial. To deal with the case when coefficients of the Dirichlet polynomial are complex, we apply the idea of the first author in his study on mean values of Dirichlet L-functions.
TEM studies of PtSi low Schottky-barrier contacts for source/drain in MOS transistors
Authors: Łaszcz Adam , Ratajczak Jacek , Czerwinski Andrzej , Kątcki Jerzy , Breil Nicolas , Larrieu Guilhem , Dubois Emmanuel
Published: December 2010

Transmission electron microscopy methods were used to determine the impact of two different implantation processes on the morphology of platinum silicide layers constituting low Schottky barrier contacts intended as the source/drain in MOS transistors. These processes are very promising candidates for the reduction of the Schottky barrier height (SBH) of contacts and are realized by (i) implantation-through-metal (ITM) followed by dopant-segregation induced by silicidation annealing and (ii) implantation-through-silicide (ITS) followed by dopant-segregation due to the post-silicidation annealing. The studies showed that depending on the type and conditions of the process (ITM or ITS with various post-silicidation annealing temperatures) different morphologies of PtSi layers and PtSi/Si interfaces roughnesses are observed. Better quality silicide layers and silicide/silicon interfaces were found for samples after the ITS process with post-silicidation annealing at 500°C than for samples after the ITM process or the ITS process with post-silicidation annealing at temperatures not exceeding 400°C.

The observed microstructure of grains and interfaces in these samples, along with the impact of the dopant-segregation, may significantly influence the SBH value. The diffraction patterns and EDXS measurements revealed that regardless of the process type, the formed silicide layer is always PtSi.
Wilson loops, geometric operators and fermions in 3d group field theory
Authors: Dowdall R.
Published: December 2010

Group field theories whose Feynman diagrams describe 3d gravity with a varying configuration of Wilson loop observables and 3d gravity with volume observables at each vertex are defined. The volume observables are created by the usual spin network grasping operators which require the introduction of vector fields on the group. We then use this to define group field theories that give a previously defined spin foam model for fermion fields coupled to gravity, and the simpler “quenched” approximation, by using tensor fields on the group. The group field theory naturally includes the sum over fermionic loops at each order of the perturbation theory.
Recovery of bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) ether from aqueous solution onto activated carbon
Authors: Pełech Robert
Published: December 2010

Recovery of bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) ether from aqueous solution onto activated carbon

The results of the studies of bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) ether adsorption from aqueous solution onto AG5 activated carbon were presented here. Dynamic adsorptivity, mass transfer zone and the velocity of the adsorption front of the 10cm adsorption bed depth for the velocity of flow 9 and 25 cm/min were determined. For the regeneration of the adsorption bed, acetone rinsing was used. Total washout of adsorbed bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) ether from the bed was obtained. After the regeneration the adsorbent has not shown deterioration of adsorption properties. To isolate bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) ether from acetone, distillation was used.
Analysis of sodium tripolyphosphate production processes with a cumulative calculation method
Authors: Kowalski Zygmunt , Kijkowska Regina , Gorazda Katarzyna , Wzorek Zbigniew , Nowak Anna
Published: December 2010

Analysis of sodium tripolyphosphate production processes with a cumulative calculation method

Sodium tripolyphosphate - one of the condensed phosphates is an important ingredient in various types of cleaning substances and a food additive. The paper presents a comparison of different variants of STPP production with the application of the cumulative calculation method. The material balances of the processes were taken as the basis of the analysis. The method of the process analysis as shown in the cumulative calculation determines the influence of the emissions of dust and gas pollutions originating from a particular production process, as well as wastewater and solid wastes resulting from it, upon the natural environment. It was proved that the solution of the production STPP with the dry one-step method has the lowest impact on the environment among the three assessed solutions.
Thermal utilization of mixtures of bone waste
Authors: Staroń Paweł , Kowalski Zygmunt , Krupa-Żuczek Kinga , Wzorek Zbigniew
Published: December 2010

Thermal utilization of mixtures of bone waste

The results of a research related to the physico - chemical properties of the mixture of bone - waste and their ingredients have been presented. The mixtures was made up from waste: bovine bones, pork bones, bone sludge and bone meal. The content of the individual waste in the mixtures was selected on the basis of the heat of the combustion of the mixture and the amount of the waste produced in a meat processing plant. The heat of the combustion has been determined by the calorimeter, the content of phosphorus by spectrophotometric method, calcium by titration and phase composition by X - ray diffraction.

The investigations confirmed that pork bones have the highest heat of the combustion 17 MJ/kg because of a big amount of fats. The analyzed waste has contained on average 16.5 wt % phosphorus and above 30 wt % calcium. X - ray diffraction method has proved that in bone waste one phase - hydroxyapatite occurs.
Polyolefin oxo-degradation accelerators - a new trend to promote environmental protection
Authors: Cichy Barbara , Kwiecień Jacek , Piątkowska Magdalena , Kużdżał Ewa , Gibas Edyta , Rymarz Grażyna
Published: December 2010

Polyolefin oxo-degradation accelerators - a new trend to promote environmental protection

The paper presents the results of the tests on the preparation of iron (III) stearate - the most prominent oxo-biodegradation agent for polyolefinic plastics. The process chosen for testing was the double precipitation process, using stearic acid alkalised with soda lye and iron (III) chloride or iron (III) sulphate. A number of iron (III) stearate preparation methods described in the literature were tested and an analytical procedure for monitoring the process was developed using both the classical and instrumental techniques. FTIR spectroscopy is the most useful technique for the product quality control and identification. During the study the characteristics of the proper product were also determined using the DSC methods. Microscopy and laser diffraction particle size analysis were applied to determine the size of the precipitated product grains. An application sample of the product obtained by the double decomposition method from iron (III) sulphate as the iron carrier has successfully passed the application tests in the polyethylene packaging film.
Enhancement of XPS surface sensitivity in nanocrystalline material
Authors: Wróbel Rafal
Published: December 2010

Enhancement of XPS surface sensitivity in nanocrystalline material

The influence of the particle size on the surface sensitivity in XPS analysis was investigated. Previous reports about such influence were qualitatively only. In this report there are given mathematical description of XPS sensitivity and quantitative results. It was found that influence due to nanometric size on XPS analysis can be noticeable for particles below 15 nm of diameter and increases dramatically with reduction of the size.
Prediction of gas holdup in the three-phase fluidized bed: air/Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquid systems
Authors: Sivakumar V. , Senthilkumar K. , Kannadasan T.
Published: December 2010

Prediction of gas holdup in the three-phase fluidized bed: air/Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquid systems

The application of the three-phase fluidization technology in wastewater treatment and other biochemical processes has been regularly addressed in the past decades. For the design and development of the three-phase fluidized bed reactors, knowledge of the hydrodynamic parameter such as gas holdup is essential and hence in this paper an attempt has been made to study the effect of fundamental and operating variables on gas holdup. On the basis of the experimental results, a unified correlation has been developed to predict gas holdup in the fluidized bed using the Newtonian and the non-Newtonian liquids. The experimental results showed good agreement with those predicted according to the developed correlation.
Pain Management in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Hameed Mariam , Hameed Haroon , Erdek Michael
Published: December 2010

A majority of pancreatic cancer patients present with pain at the time of diagnosis. Pain management can be challenging in light of the aggressive nature of this cancer. Apart from conventional pharmacotherapy, timely treatment with neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) has been shown to be of benefit. NCPB has demonstrated efficacious pain control in high quality studies with analgesic effects lasting one to two months. NCPB has also shown to decrease the requirements of narcotics, and thus decrease opioid related side effects. Another option for the control of moderate to severe pain is intrathecal therapy (IT). Delivery of analgesic medications intrathecally allows for lower dosages of medications and thus reduced toxicity. Both of the above mentioned interventional procedures have been shown to have low complication rates, and be safe and effective. Ultimately, comprehensive pancreatic cancer pain management necessitates understanding of pain mechanisms and delivery of sequential validated therapeutic interventions within a multidisciplinary patient care model.
Corrections to Bekenstein-Hawking Entropy— Quantum or not-so Quantum?
Authors: Shankaranarayanan S.
Published: December 2010

Hawking radiation and Bekenstein-Hawking entropy are the two robust predictions of a yet unknown quantum theory of gravity. Any theory which fails to reproduce these predictions is certainly incorrect. While several approaches lead to Bekenstein-Hawking entropy, they all lead to different sub-leading corrections. In this article, we ask a question that is relevant for any approach: Using simple techniques, can we know whether an approach contains quantum or semi-classical degrees of freedom? Using naive dimensional analysis, we show that the semi-classical black-hole entropy has the same dimensional dependence as the gravity action. Among others, this provides a plausible explanation for the connection between Einstein’s equations and thermodynamic equation of state, and that the quantum corrections should have a different scaling behavior.
Complexity through Recombination: From Chemistry to Biology
Authors: Lehman Niles , Arenas Carolina Díaz , White Wesley A. , Schmidt Francis J.
Published: December 2010

Recombination is a common event in nature, with examples in physics, chemistry, and biology. This process is characterized by the spontaneous reorganization of structural units to form new entities. Upon reorganization, the complexity of the overall system can change. In particular the components of the system can now experience a new response to externally applied selection criteria, such that the evolutionary trajectory of the system is altered. In this work we explore the link between chemical and biological forms of recombination. We estimate how the net system complexity changes, through analysis of RNA-RNA recombination and by mathematical modeling. Our results underscore the importance of recombination in the origins of life on the Earth and its subsequent evolutionary divergence.
An Information Approach to the Dynamics in Farm Income: Implications for Farmland Markets
Authors: Salois Matthew J. , Moss Charles B.
Published: December 2010

The valuation of farmland is a perennial issue for agricultural policy, given its importance in the farm investment portfolio. Despite the significance of farmland values to farmer wealth, prediction remains a difficult task. This study develops a dynamic information measure to examine the informational content of farmland values and farm income in explaining the distribution of farmland values over time.
A Review of Recent Advances on the Effects of Microstructural Refinement and Nano-Catalytic Additives on the Hydrogen Storage Properties of Metal and Complex Hydrides
Authors: Varin Robert A. , Zbroniec Leszek , Polanski Marek , Bystrzycki Jerzy
Published: December 2010

The recent advances on the effects of microstructural refinement and various nano-catalytic additives on the hydrogen storage properties of metal and complex hydrides obtained in the last few years in the allied laboratories at the University of Waterloo (Canada) and Military University of Technology (Warsaw, Poland) are critically reviewed in this paper. The research results indicate that microstructural refinement (particle and grain size) induced by ball milling influences quite modestly the hydrogen storage properties of simple metal and complex metal hydrides. On the other hand, the addition of nanometric elemental metals acting as potent catalysts and/or metal halide catalytic precursors brings about profound improvements in the hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics for simple metal and complex metal hydrides alike. In general, catalytic precursors react with the hydride matrix forming a metal salt and free nanometric or amorphous elemental metals/intermetallics which, in turn, act catalytically. However, these catalysts change only kinetic properties i.e. the hydrogen absorption/desorption rate but they do not change thermodynamics (e.g., enthalpy change of hydrogen sorption reactions). It is shown that a complex metal hydride, LiAlH4, after high energy ball milling with a nanometric Ni metal catalyst and/or MnCl2 catalytic precursor, is able to desorb relatively large quantities of hydrogen at RT, 40 and 80 °C. This kind of behavior is very encouraging for the future development of solid state hydrogen systems.
A Murine Model to Study the Antibacterial Effect of Copper on Infectivity of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Sharan Riti , Chhibber Sanjay , Reed Robert H.
Published: December 2010

This study investigated the effect of copper as an antibacterial agent on the infectivity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Mice were infected orally with a standardized dose of unstressed Salmonella Typhimurium and copper-stressed cells of Salmonella Typhimurium. Bacterial counts in ileum, blood, liver and spleen were observed up to 168 h under normal aerobic conditions. Serum sensitivity, phagocytosis, malondialdehyde levels and histopathology were studied for both set of animals. A decreased bacterial count in the organs with mild symptoms of infection and a complete recovery by 48 h was observed in mice infected with copper-stressed bacteria. Histopathological examination of ileum tissue demonstrated regeneration of damaged tissue post-infection with copper-stressed bacteria and no malondialdehyde levels were detected after 24 h in ileum, spleen and liver. Exposure to copper sensitized Salmonella Typhimurium to the lytic action of serum and intracellular killing by peritoneal macrophages. It can be concluded that copper stress confers a decrease in the infectivity of healthy Salmonella Typhimurium in normal mice. This study highlights the significance of use of copper as an antibacterial agent against Salmonella Typhimurium in reducing the risk of incidence of Salmonella infections from contaminated water.
Spatio-Temporal Diffusion Pattern and Hotspot Detection of Dengue in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand
Authors: Jeefoo Phaisarn , Tripathi Nitin Kumar , Souris Marc
Published: December 2010

In recent years, dengue has become a major international public health concern. In Thailand it is also an important concern as several dengue outbreaks were reported in last decade. This paper presents a GIS approach to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of dengue epidemics. The major objective of this study was to examine spatial diffusion patterns and hotspot identification for reported dengue cases. Geospatial diffusion pattern of the 2007 dengue outbreak was investigated. Map of daily cases was generated for the 153 days of the outbreak. Epidemiological data from Chachoengsao province, Thailand (reported dengue cases for the years 1999–2007) was used for this study. To analyze the dynamic space-time pattern of dengue outbreaks, all cases were positioned in space at a village level. After a general statistical analysis (by gender and age group), data was subsequently analyzed for temporal patterns and correlation with climatic data (especially rainfall), spatial patterns and cluster analysis, and spatio-temporal patterns of hotspots during epidemics. The results revealed spatial diffusion patterns during the years 1999–2007 representing spatially clustered patterns with significant differences by village. Villages on the urban fringe reported higher incidences. The space and time of the cases showed outbreak movement and spread patterns that could be related to entomologic and epidemiologic factors. The hotspots showed the spatial trend of dengue diffusion. This study presents useful information related to the dengue outbreak patterns in space and time and may help public health departments to plan strategies to control the spread of disease. The methodology is general for space-time analysis and can be applied for other infectious diseases as well.
Biomarkers in Rare Disorders: The Experience with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Tiziano Francesco D. , Neri Giovanni , Brahe Christina
Published: December 2010

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder caused by homozygous mutations of the SMN1 gene. Based on clinical severity, three forms of SMA are recognized (type I–III). All patients have at least one (usually 2–4) copies of a highly homologous gene (SMN2) which produces insufficient levels of functional SMN protein, due to alternative splicing of exon7. Recently, evidence has been provided that SMN2 expression can be enhanced by different strategies. The availability of potential candidates to treat SMA has raised a number of issues, including the availability of data on the natural history of the disease, the reliability and sensitivity of outcome measures, the duration of the studies, and the number and clinical homogeneity of participating patients. Equally critical is the availability of reliable biomarkers. So far, different tools have been proposed as biomarkers in SMA, classifiable into two groups: instrumental (the Compound Motor Action Potential, the Motor Unit Number Estimation, and the Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and molecular (SMN gene products dosage, either transcripts or protein). However, none of the biomarkers available so far can be considered the gold standard. Preclinical studies on SMA animal models and double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are crucial to evaluate the appropriateness of biomarkers, on the basis of correlations with clinical outcome.
Erwinia mallotivora sp., a New Pathogen of Papaya (Carica papaya) in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Mat Amin Noriha , Bunawan Hamidun , Redzuan Rohaiza Ahmad , Jaganath Indu Bala S.
Published: December 2010

Erwinia mallotivora was isolated from papaya infected with dieback disease showing the typical symptoms of greasy, water-soaked lesions and spots on leaves. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belonged to the genus Erwinia and was united in a monophyletic group with E. mallotivora DSM 4565 (AJ233414). Earlier studies had indicated that the causal agent for this disease was E. papayae. However, our current studies, through Koch’s postulate, have confirmed that papaya dieback disease is caused by E. mallotivora. To our knowledge, this is the first new discovery of E. mallotivora as a causal agent of papaya dieback disease in Peninsular Malaysia. Previous reports have suggested that E. mallotivora causes leaf spot in Mallotus japonicus. However, this research confirms it also to be pathogenic to Carica papaya.
(Benzoylamino)methyl 4-[(Benzoylamino)methoxy]benzoate
Authors: Popovski Emil , Mladenovska Kristina , Panovska Ana Poceva
Published: December 2010

In this note, two procedures for the synthesis of (benzoylamino)methyl 4-[(benzoylamino)­methoxy]benzoate (3) are presented. The first procedure is carried out in dioxane/water using benzoylaminomethyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, while the second one employs a suspension of 4-hydroxy­benzoic acid in dioxane. In both procedures, benzamidomethyl triethylammonium chloride is used for the benzamidomethylation reaction.
Methyl 4-[(Benzoylamino)methoxy]benzoate
Authors: Popovski Emil , Mladenovska Kristina , Panovska Ana Poceva
Published: December 2010

Methylparabene (2) was simply benzamidomethylated with (benzamidomethyl)­triethylammonium chloride (1) in aqueous medium to afford methyl 4-(benzamido­methoxy)benzoate (3) in high yield. The title compound was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy.
Surfactant Effects on Microemulsion-Based Nanoparticle Synthesis
Authors: Tojo Concha , Dios Miguel de , Barroso Fernando
Published: December 2010

The effect of the surfactant on the size, polydispersity, type of size distribution and structure of nanoparticles synthesized in microemulsions has been studied by computer simulation. The model simulates the surfactant by means of two parameters: the intermicellar exchange parameter, kex, related to dimer life time, and film flexibility parameter, f, related to interdroplet channel size. One can conclude that an increase in surfactant flexibility leads to bigger and polydisperse nanoparticle sizes. In addition, at high concentrations, the same reaction gives rise to a unimodal distribution using a flexible surfactant, and a bimodal distribution using a rigid one. In relation to bimetallic nanoparticles, if the nanoparticle is composed of two metals with a moderate difference in reduction potentials, increasing the surfactant flexibility modifies the nanoparticle structure, giving rise to a transition from a nanoalloy (using a rigid film) to a core-shell structure (using a flexible one).
Enhanced Productivity of a Lutein-Enriched Novel Acidophile Microalga Grown on Urea
Authors: Casal Carlos , Cuaresma Maria , Vega Jose Maria , Vilchez Carlos
Published: December 2010

Coccomyxa acidophila is an extremophile eukaryotic microalga isolated from the Tinto River mining area in Huelva, Spain. Coccomyxa acidophila accumulates relevant amounts of b-carotene and lutein, well-known carotenoids with many biotechnological applications, especially in food and health-related industries. The acidic culture medium (pH < 2.5) that prevents outdoor cultivation from non-desired microorganism growth is one of the main advantages of acidophile microalgae production. Conversely, acidophile microalgae growth rates are usually very low compared to common microalgae growth rates. In this work, we show that mixotrophic cultivation on urea efficiently enhances growth and productivity of an acidophile microalga up to typical values for common microalgae, therefore approaching acidophile algal production towards suitable conditions for feasible outdoor production. Algal productivity and potential for carotenoid accumulation were analyzed as a function of the nitrogen source supplied. Several nitrogen conditions were assayed: nitrogen starvation, nitrate and/or nitrite, ammonia and urea. Among them, urea clearly led to the best cell growth (~4 ´ 108 cells/mL at the end of log phase). Ammonium led to the maximum chlorophyll and carotenoid content per volume unit (220 mg·mL-1 and 35 mg·mL-1, respectively). Interestingly, no significant differences in growth rates were found in cultures grown on urea as C and N source, with respect to those cultures grown on nitrate and CO2 as nitrogen and carbon sources (control cultures). Lutein accumulated up to 3.55 mg·g-1 in the mixotrophic cultures grown on urea. In addition, algal growth in a shaded culture revealed the first evidence for an active xanthophylls cycle operative in acidophile microalgae.
Anti-Fatigue Activity of Extracts of Stem Bark from Acanthopanax senticosus
Authors: Zhang Xue-Ling , Ren Feng , Huang Wei , Ding Ren-Tao , Zhou Qiu-Sheng , Liu Xin-Wei
Published: December 2010

In the present study, we investigated the anti-fatigue activity in male Kunming mice of extracts of stem bark from Acanthopanax senticosus (ASSE) using a forced swimming test. Mice were divided into four groups (three ASSE administered groups and the control group). The control group were gavaged with distilled water and ASSE administered groups were gavaged with ASSE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). After four weeks, a forced swimming test was performed and the biochemical parameters related to fatigue were examined. The results suggested that ASSE could extend the swimming time to exhaustion of the mice, as well as increase the tissue glycogen contents, while decreasing the blood lactate and serum urea nitrogen contents. This indicated that ASSE had anti-fatigue activity and could elevate the exercise tolerance.
Magnetically Recoverable Magnetite/Gold Catalyst Stabilized by Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) for Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols
Authors: Chen Hsiao Wei , Murugadoss Arumugam , Hor T. S. Andy , Sakurai Hidehiro
Published: December 2010

Fe3O4:PVP/Au nanocomposite synthesized via a two-step procedure was tested as a quasi-homogenous alcohol oxidation catalyst. It was found that the nanocomposite was able to carry out aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water at room temperature. Studies show rapid magnetic recoverability and reusability characteristics.
Design and Synthesis of Anti-MRSA Benzimidazolylbenzene-sulfonamides. QSAR Studies for Prediction of Antibacterial Activity
Authors: González-Chávez Marco Martín , Méndez Francisco , Martínez Roberto , Pérez-González Cuaúhtemoc , Martínez-Gutiérrez Fidel
Published: December 2010

A series of benzimidazolylbenzenesulfonamide compounds containing electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing substituents were synthesized and tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity. Two BZS compounds showed strong antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Quantitative studies of their structure-activity relationship using a simple linear regression analysis were applied to explore the correlation between the biological activity and the charges on acidic hydrogen atoms in the synthesized compounds.
Molecular Therapies in Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Huyck Timothy , Agulnik Mark
Published: December 2010

Thyroid cancer is a common diagnosis with greater than 34,000 cases per year in the United States. Early stage thyroid cancer is often managed with surgical intervention and radioactive iodine; however, for recurrent or metastatic disease, the treatment options, historically, have been limited to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy for metastatic thyroid cancer has been of limited efficacy. Encouragingly, molecular therapeutics have played a greater role in managing patients with advanced disease. These agents work primarily through disruption of tyrosine kinase pathways. This review will discuss the expanding role of molecular targets in managing patients with advanced thyroid cancer.
Fentanyl and Spiradoline Interactions in a Place-Conditioning Black-White Shuttle-Box
Authors: Rech Richard H. , Briggs Shannon L. , Mokler David J.
Published: December 2010

Rats were trained for multiple sessions in a place-conditioning shuttle-box to explore motivational interactions of mu and kappa opioid agonists, specifically fentanyl reward and spiradoline aversion. In Phase 1, groups of rats received various doses of mu or kappa agonists, or placebo, testing for preference or aversion. Group A always received saline SC before 15-minute sessions. Group B received fentanyl SC (0.003, 0.006, 0.012 mg/kg), Group C received low and medium doses of agonists SC, and Group D received spiradoline (0.3, 0.6, 1.2 mg/kg) SC during Training Sessions 1-4, rats being restricted to the drug-associated compartment. Rats received saline when restricted to the placebo-associate compartment and on test days with access to both shuttle-box compartments. In Phase 2 of the study, Training Session 5, Combinations of mu and kappa agonists were substituted in Groups B, C, and D. Dose-related preference to fentanyl and aversion to spiradoline occurred during Test Sessions 1-4. During Test Session 5, fentanyl preference in Group B was suppressed by spiradoline, rats in Group C had a saline-like response to combined agonists, and spiradoline aversion in Group D was attenuated by fentanyl. These findings suggest that combined doses of mu and kappa agonists, while additive for antinociception, offset the rewarding and punishing effects of each other.
Tracking Desertification in California Using Remote Sensing: A Sand Dune Encroachment Approach
Authors: Lam Doris K. , Remmel Tarmo K. , Drezner Taly D.
Published: December 2010

Most remote sensing studies in deserts focus solely on vegetation monitoring to assess the extent of desertification. However, the application of sand dune encroachment into such studies would greatly improve the accuracy in the prediction criteria of risk-prone areas. This study applies the latter methodology for tracking desertification using sand dunes in the Kelso Dunes (in Newberry-Baker, CA, USA). The approach involves the comparison of spectral characteristics of the dunes in Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images over a 24-year period (1982, 1988, 1994, 2000, and 2006). During this 24-year period, two El Niño events occurred (1983 and 1993); it was concluded that despite the shift in predominant winds, the short-term variation in wind direction did not make a noticeable change in dune formation, but greatly influences vegetation cover. Therefore, relying solely on vegetation monitoring to assess desertification can lead to overestimations in prediction analysis. Results from this study indicate that the Kelso Dunes are experiencing an encroachment rate of approximately 5.9 m3/m/yr over the 24-year period. While quantifying the Kelso Dunes or any natural dynamic system is subject to uncertainties, the encroachment rate approach reflects the highly heterogeneous nature of the sand dunes (in regards to spectral variability in brightness) at Kelso Dunes and serves as an exemplar for future research.