bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representantes españoles en el imperio Otomano, entre la diplomacia, la crónica y la literatura (1864-1886)
Authors: Martín Asuero Pablo
Published: February 2010

Se puede encontrar un cierto interés en el Mediterráneo oriental en España a partir de 1860. Una prueba de ello es la producción textual de varios diplomáticos españoles destinados en el imperio Otomano a través de las crónicas periodísticas y de la publicación de sus memorias las cuales se acercan a la literatura de viajeros. Adolfo de Mentaberry, Diego de Codio de Portugal, Antonio Bernal de O'Reilly o Manuel Quintana son un ejemplo de este tipo de diplomático de ideología liberal que transmitieron a los lectores del mundo en español la situación del imperio Otomano entre los años de 1864 y 1886.…
Don Juan de Dios de la Rada y Delgado y los expedicionarios de la fragata de guerra Arapiles en Tierra Santa
Authors: Pascual González José
Published: February 2010

En el verano de 1871 el Gobierno de Amadeo I de Saboya envió a los mares del Mediterráneo oriental a la fragata de guerra Arapiles, a bordo de la cual embarcó una comisión científica que tenía la misión de obtener piezas procedentes de la zona para el Museo Arqueológico Nacional, El presente trabajo analiza la estancia de los expedicionarios en Tierra Santa y, a través de la obra del presidente de dicha Comisión, D, Juan de Dios de la Rada y Delgado, profundiza en su mentalidad y en las impresiones que causaba el Oriente en los viajeros occidentales de entonces.…
Don Juan Víctor Abargues de Sostén y la presencia española en el Mar Rojo y Abisinia a finales del siglo XIX
Authors: Mañé Rodríguez Montserrat
Published: February 2010

Durante el siglo XIX, África fue la gran meta de las expediciones europeas, cuyo afán colonialista ganaba a los intereses filantrópicos de épocas pasadas: la curiosidad intelectual dejaba paso a los intereses políticos y económicos, España no fue ajena a este movimiento, si bien los problemas internos y la falta de recursos hicieron que sus exploraciones tuvieran escasos resultados, Abargues de Sostén, gran impulsor teórico de la presencia española en el mar Rojo, fue enviado a Abisinia, la actual Etiopía. Allí realizó una gran labor de observación multidisciplinar, aunque sus informes tuvieran poca repercusión posterior.…
Manuel Martínez de la Escalera, ciencia y aventura en Oriente
Authors: Casado Santos
Published: February 2010

Manuel Martínez de la Escalera fue el expedicionario más destacado entre los naturalistas españoles de las décadas en torno al cambio de siglo. Su dedicación a la entomología, especialmente a los coleópteros, le llevó a organizar sendas expediciones, financiadas por un coleccionista francés, a Asia Menor y Siria en 1898 y a Persia en 1899. Lo aventurero de sus viajes a Oriente, subrayado por la penuria material con que se realizaron, marcó la incorporación de Escalera al imaginario colectivo de la reducida comunidad naturalista española, con una intensidad que contrasta con el olvido de los medios académicos oficiales y de la posterior historiografía de la ciencia.…
Aviadores en el desierto. Aventura y viaje del capitán Rafael Martínez Esteve en el Ḥamad jordano-iraquí (1926)
Authors: Córdoba Joaquín Mª
Published: February 2010

A comienzos del siglo XX, cuando el redescubrimiento de Oriente se había trocado en su colonización tras la I Guerra Mundial, la poesía del viaje y el reencuentro con gentes y paisajes parecían ya imposibles. De hecho, la literatura «clásica» del viaje a Oriente estaba ya más que acabada. Sin embargo, un accidente de la historia de la aviación española haría que el capitán Rafael Martínez Esteve, integrante de la patrulla que emprendió el viaje Madrid-Manila, viviera una trágica aventura en el desierto jordano- iraquí. Fruto de esa experiencia sería un libro que es, al mismo tiempo que emocionante relato, descripción poética del desierto y la vida de los beduinos, sarcástica mirada a los poderes coloniales, y un amable epígono en la historia de la literatura española de viajes a Oriente.…
El control de la inmigración: política fronteriza, selección del acceso e inmigración irregular
Authors: López Sala Ana María
Published: February 2010

Este artículo describe y compara las políticas de control de flujos diseñadas e implantadas en distintos países y sistemas migratorios a lo largo de las dos últimas décadas. La entrada del control de la inmigración en la agenda política de los países receptores es relativamente reciente. Hasta los años setenta la inmigración permanece al margen de los debates públicos. La búsqueda de procedimientos eficaces de control se ha tornado una tarea inaprensible y, aunque los gobiernos han intentado mostrar su capacidad para controlar los influjos, diversos factores de naturaleza nacional e internacional han moldeado sus respuestas y frenado su eficacia.
Estado nacional y derechos de los inmigrantes. Sobre la redefinición de la ciudadanía
Authors: Velasco Juan Carlos
Published: February 2010

La condición de nacional de un Estado ha dejado ser el requisito indispensable para el disfrute de los derechos asociados a la ciudadanía. La intensa transformación que las instituciones estatales ha experimentado con el avance imparable de los procesos de globalización, así como el notable progreso de la cultura de los derechos humanos a nivel nacional e internacional, se encuentran entre los factores determinantes de importantes cambios normativos que afectan a la vida cotidiana de los inmigrantes. Éstos desarrollan con frecuencia diferentes formas de vinculación con el Estado receptor que no necesariamente pasan por la adquisición de la ciudadanía.
La política de inmigración en la Unión Europea. Desde tres claves
Authors: Solanes Corella Ángeles
Published: February 2010

La política de inmigración de la Unión Europea, relativa al control y la gestión de los flujos migratorios, puede abordarse desde múltiples perspectivas. De ellas tres me parecen especialmente interesantes. En primer lugar la dimensión económica, que se asienta sobre la reducción del inmigrante a la figura de trabajador, atendiendo a las condiciones y protección del mercado comunitario de empleo. En segundo lugar, la orientación defensiva que pone en evidencia la exigencia de blindar las fronteras ante la interpretación de la inmigración desde una visión de seguridad y orden público. Por último, el enfoque social, que incide en la pretendida homogeneidad europea que se toma como referencia en la articulación de esta política y en la necesidad de integración de los inmigrantes. Estas tres claves nos aportan aspectos esenciales para comprender, analizar y cuestionar la compleja realidad de las migraciones hacia Europa y el tratamiento político-jurídico de las mismas.
Migraciones forzosas, nuevos refugios y derechos humanos
Authors: Gortázar Rotaeche Cristina
Published: February 2010

El presente artículo intenta hilvanar una reflexión sobre los escurridizos límites entre los conceptos de inmigración económica, nuevos refugiados (personas dignas de protección internacional que no responden a las rancias exigencias del Convenio de Ginebra sobre refugiados) y refugiados amparados por dicho Convenio. La razón prístina para que el Derecho internacional se ocupe de los supuestos de refugio y apenas lo haga con respecto a los casos de inmigración económica está en que, desde antiguo, este Derecho ha entendido que los movimientos migratorios obedecen a motivaciones más o menos voluntarias, mientras que el refugio implica que una persona se encuentra sin posibilidad de protección en su Estado de origen. Sin embargo, en el Derecho internacional contemporáneo nos encontramos ante un cuadro dominado por la imprecisión: ¿Son voluntarias las migraciones provenientes desde el tercer mundo? En caso de respuesta negativa, ¿cuáles son forzosas y cuáles no lo son? ¿Acaso sólo son involuntarias las provocadas por el Estado de origen, sea por acción u omisión? ¿Qué sucede entonces con los desplazamientos humanos que traen causa en las catástrofes naturales?. Por fin, la respuesta de los Estados ante las migraciones forzosas y la protección de los nuevos refugiados trae consigo una toma de postura coherente ante la diversidad cultural, ya que ésta será determinante para que la denominada «integración» de los inmigrantes y refugiados. Asimismo, cualquier reflexión sobre la convivencia entre distintas culturas nos conduce al perdurable debate sobre el origen de los derechos humanos fundamentales y de su carácter universal, inderogable e indivisible.
Los escudos de armas del Castillo de Portillo: una interpretación
Authors: Martínez Llorente Félix
Published: February 2010

El artículo estudia la heráldica los linajes vinculados al Castillo de Portillo, desde el reinado de Enrique IV de Castilla (1454).
Don Pío del Río Hortega y Vara López
Authors: Vara Thorbeck Rafael
Published: February 2010

El artículo describe la relación entre el doctor Vara López y Pío del Río Hortega a partir de 1921 en los laboratorios del Hospital Provincial de Madrid, el Instituto del Cáncer y la Residencia de Estudiantes.
Pío del Río Hortega en México y Cuba. 1930
Authors: Del Rio-Hortega Bereciartu Juan
Published: February 2010

El artículo narra la invitación realizada a Pío del Río Hortega por el doctor Gutiérrez Perrín para viajar a México e impartir allí un ciclo de trece lecciones. Tras el viaje a México, Río Hortega se traslada a La Habana donde imparte otro ciclo de conferencias.
La obra de Pío del Río Hortega y sus consecuencias en la neuropatología
Authors: Fariña González Juliana , Escalona Zapata Julio
Published: February 2010

El artículo repasa los descubrimientos de Río Hortega en la histología normal del sistema nervioso y su posterior repercusión en el estudio natomopatológico de los tumores cerebrales: gliomas y paragliomas.
Participación ciudadana y cultura científica
Authors: López Cerezo José Antonio
Published: February 2010

En esta contribución se realiza una reflexión acerca de las relaciones entre cultura científica y participación ciudadana, sobre la base de la reciente evolución política de nuestras sociedades y el nuevo papel que en ellas desempeñan la ciencia y la tecnología. Se identifican nuevos espacios de oportunidad para la democratización de la ciencia y se aborda en particular una modalidad de participación ciudadana conocida como «participación formativa », una modalidad asociada a la consolidación de la sociedad del conocimiento y los nuevos frentes abiertos por el activismo social en asuntos públicos relacionados con la ciencia y la tecnología.
Sociedad civil y gobernanza de la ciencia y la tecnología en el ámbito autonómico: la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid
Authors: Estévez Cedeño Betty
Published: February 2010

La necesidad de ampliar la diversidad de actores en el diseño de la política científica y tecnológica es un asunto cada vez más acuciante. Por tanto, la incorporación de la participación ciudadana en la orientación y diseño de estas áreas se convierte en un reto para las administraciones nacionales y regionales, principalmente. El aporte primordial de este trabajo es evaluar las posibilidades y dificultades de la participación pública en el diseño de planes regionales de ciencia y tecnología como una acción significativa para generar propuestas más acordes con la realidad social. Como punto de partida se considera que la participación ciudadana está presente en la nueva noción de gobernanza de la ciencia y la tecnología. Los resultados del trabajo empírico realizado en la Comunidad de Madrid entre los actores que participaron en la elaboración del IV Plan Regional de Investigación Científica e Innovación Tecnológica evidencian que un importante número de actores se inclina por la idea de que la implicación de representantes de base comunitaria o expertos sociales es positiva para moldear programas científico-técnicos. También se constata la necesidad de precisar y poner marcha estrategias de interrelación entre comunidad científica y sociedad según las áreas consideradas como prioritarias.
La gobernanza de la seguridad alimentaria
Authors: Todt Oliver , Plaza Marta
Published: February 2010

Debido a una profunda crisis de aceptación social, en parte por la gestión inadecuada de las diversas crisis alimentarias a nivel europeo durante los últimos 20 años, el sistema de seguridad alimentaria europeo fue completamente rediseñado. La nueva ley alimentaria, que implica la creación de agencias de seguridad alimentaria independientes, tanto a nivel europeo como español, se basa en una participación amplia de todos los actores sociales, en los principios de independencia, transparencia y excelencia, así como en una redistribución de las competencias.
El presente artículo analiza esta transformación reciente, ofreciendo datos no sólo sobre la nueva estructura del sistema sino, además, sobre su funcionamiento en la práctica. Los recientes cambios introducidos en el sistema se interpretan como un intento de gestionar las profundas transformaciones que experimenta la estructura social de las sociedades altamente industrializadas.
Actuando en red. Cuerpos, sesgos y gestión del riesgo en Internet
Authors: Valverde Nuria
Published: February 2010

Tecnología y ciencia ya no pueden ser meramente identificadas como factores de riesgo. Ambas son productos culturales y su uso contribuye a redefinir las amenazas que los colectivos perciben como urgentes. Pero hablar del uso de estas estrategias de asamblaje de lo social implica reconocer su impacto en las redes informales de producción de conocimiento. El presente trabajo analiza la evolución de la depresión y los campos electromagnéticos y su presencia en la red con el fin de explorar los retos y aportaciones de las nuevas herramientas de socialización a la resolución de problemas y la gestión de riesgos.
Las ligaduras de Ulises o la supuesta neutralidad valorativa de la ciencia y la tecnología
Authors: Pérez Sedeño Eulalia
Published: February 2010

Según la filosofía clásica de la ciencia, la ciencia es imparcial, autónoma y valorativamente neutra. Al afirmar esto último, se está distinguiendo entre valores objetivos y valores subjetivos, también denominados valores cognitivos o constitutivos y valores no cognitivos o contextuales. En este artículo se repasan algunas críticas a la neutralidad valorativa de la ciencia, su autonomía e imparcialidad; en especial se muestra el relevante papel que los valores de todo tipo desempeñan en la ciencia, así como la importancia de la categoría género en estos análisis, tal y como muestran los diversos ensayos que aparecen en este número.
Género e Ciencia: Interpretações Feministas e Distinções Locais
Authors: Silva Elizabeth B.
Published: February 2010

La cuestión fundamental para discutir sobre género y las ciencias radica en la pregunta:¿cómo el feminismo está cambiando la ciencia? La autora se centra en los efectos que ha tenido el feminismo en la desestabilización de las categorías y divisiones tradicionales en diversos campos del conocimiento. Esa desestabilización conlleva una estrategia de visibilidad y contabilidad de aspectos que hasta ahora habían sido dejados de lado y que ha llevado a cuestionar qué se incluye y que se excluye en el conocimiento que tenemos de nuestro mundo.
Las tecnologías de reproducción asistida y sus metáforas
Authors: Sánchez Ana
Published: February 2010

El enorme desarrollo -tanto en la investigación cuanto en la implementación- de las tecnologías de reproducción asistida, ha ido acompañado por una falta de reflexión teórica sobre su alcance transformador: la concepción y tratamiento de los cuerpos, las nociones de maternidad y paternidad, etc.. El análisis metafórico posibilita la deconstrucción de los dos discursos dominantes en esta cuestión: el patriarcal y el biomédico reduccionista. Proponemos un análisis transdisciplinar que de cuenta de las interacciones entre los diversos discursos -biomédico, mediático, jurídico, simbólicopsico- social, de género, histórico- que conforman tanto la oferta como la generación de la demanda de estas prácticas. Que nos ayuden a desvelar los intereses biomédicos y el espíritu acrítico de los medios de comunicación, que nos posibilite una verdadera evaluación de los resultados, riesgos, éxitos, viabilidad, etc. de estas tecnologías.
Género, ciencia y ciudadanía
Authors: Rietti Sara , Maffía Diana
Published: February 2010

El artículo intenta reflexionar sobre cierta renuencia y aparente desinterés de las mujeres (que a veces se pretende interpretar como incapacidad) para intervenir y competir en las ramas más duras de la ciencia, así como en elevadas posiciones en el campo de la política. Las interpretaciones habituales olvidan la vigencia de un modelo esencialmente androcéntrico, anclado en la subjetividad y el género, en la concepción del sujeto de la ciencia y de la ciudadanía. No pueden discutirse meramente las condiciones de acceso de las mujeres a las instituciones, sin discutir primero la legitimidad de un modelo que se pretende neutro, genuino reflejo de la naturaleza, en el caso de la ciencia o de la «condición humana», en política. Esta discusión adquiere especial relieve en el contexto latinoamericano, cuando no se hace lugar al debate geopolítico sobre centro y periferia.
Flexible Silk–Inorganic Nanocomposites: From Transparent to Highly Reflective
Authors: Kharlampieva Eugenia , Kozlovskaya Veronika , Gunawidjaja Ray , Shevchenko Valeriy V. , Vaia Richard , Naik Rajesh R. , Kaplan David L. , Tsukruk Vladimir V.
Published: February 2010

A novel type of all‐natural, biocompatible, and very robust nanoscale free‐standing biohybrids are reported. They are obtained by integrating a silk fibroin matrix with functional inorganic nanoplatelets using a spin‐assisted layer‐by‐layer assembly. The organized assembly of the silk fibroin with clay (montmorillonite) nanosheets results in highly transparent nanoscale films with significantly enhanced mechanical properties, including strength, toughness, and elastic modulus, as compared to those for the pristine silk nanomaterials. Moreover, replacing clay nanoplatelets with a highly reflective Langmuir monolayer of densely packed silver nanoplates causes a similar enhancement of the mechanical properties, but in contrast to the materials above, highly reflective, mirror‐like, nanoscale flexible films are created. This strategy offers a new perspective for the fabrication of robust all‐natural flexible nanocomposites with exceptional mechanical properties important for biomedical applications, such as reinforced tissue engineering. On the other hand, the ability to convert silk‐based nanoscale films into mirror‐like biocompatible flexible films can be intriguing for prospective photonics and optical exploitation of these nanobiohybrids.
Stable Anticancer Gold(III)–Porphyrin Complexes: Effects of Porphyrin Structure
Authors: Sun Raymond Wai‐Yin , Li Carrie Ka‐Lei , Ma Dik‐Lung , Yan Jessie Jing , Lok Chun‐Nam , Leung Chung‐Hang , Zhu Nianyong , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: February 2010

In the design of physiologically stable anticancer gold(III) complexes, we have employed strongly chelating porphyrinato ligands to stabilize a gold(III) ion [Chem. Commun. 2003, 1718; Coord. Chem. Rev. 2009, 253, 1682]. In this work, a family of gold(III) tetraarylporphyrins with porphyrinato ligands containing different peripheral substituents on the meso‐aryl rings were prepared, and these complexes were used to study the structure–bioactivity relationship. The cytotoxic IC50 values of [Au(Por)]+ (Por=porphyrinato ligand), which range from 0.033 to >100 μM, correlate with their lipophilicity and cellular uptake. Some of them induce apoptosis and display preferential cytotoxicity toward cancer cells than to normal noncancerous cells. A new gold(III)–porphyrin with saccharide conjugation [Au(4‐glucosyl‐TPP)]Cl (2 a; H2(4‐glucosyl‐TPP)=meso‐tetrakis(4‐β‐D‐glucosylphenyl)porphyrin) exhibits significant cytostatic activity to cancer cells (IC50=1.2–9.0 μM) without causing cell death and is much less toxic to lung fibroblast cells (IC50>100 μM). The gold(III)–porphyrin complexes induce S‐phase cell‐cycle arrest of cancer cells as indicated by flow cytometric analysis, suggesting that the anticancer activity may be, in part, due to termination of DNA replication. The gold(III)–porphyrin complexes can bind to DNA in vitro with binding constants in the range of 4.9×105 to 4.1×106 dm3 mol−1 as determined by absorption titration. Complexes 2 a and [Au(TMPyP)]Cl5 (4 a; [H2TMPyP]4+=meso‐tetrakis(N‐methylpyridinium‐4‐yl)porphyrin) interact with DNA in a manner similar to the DNA intercalator ethidium bromide as revealed by gel mobility shift assays and viscosity measurements. Both of them also inhibited the topoisomerase I induced relaxation of supercoiled DNA. Complex 4 a, a gold(III) derivative of the known G‐quadruplex‐interactive porphyrin [H2TMPyP]4+, can similarly inhibit the amplification of a DNA substrate containing G‐quadruplex structures in a polymerase chain reaction stop assay. In contrast to these reported complexes, complex 2 a and the parental gold(III)–porphyrin 1 a do not display a significant inhibitory effect (<10 %) on telomerase. Based on the results of protein expression analysis and computational docking experiments, the anti‐apoptotic bcl‐2 protein is a potential target for those gold(III)–porphyrin complexes with apoptosis‐inducing properties. Complex 2 a also displays prominent anti‐angiogenic properties in vitro. Taken together, the enhanced stabilization of the gold(III) ion and the ease of structural modification render porphyrins an attractive ligand system in the development of physiologically stable gold(III) complexes with anticancer and anti‐angiogenic activities.
Noncovalent Assembly of Picket‐Fence Porphyrins on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Highly Efficient Catalysis and Biosensing
Authors: Tu Wenwen , Lei Jianping , Jian Guoqiang , Hu Zheng , Ju Huangxian
Published: February 2010

A water‐insoluble picket‐fence porphyrin was first assembled on nitrogen‐doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNx MWNTs) through FeN coordination for highly efficient catalysis and biosensing. Scanning electron micrographs, Raman spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectra, UV/Vis absorption spectra, and electrochemical impedance spectra were employed to characterize this novel nanocomposite. By using electrochemical methods on the porphyrin at low potential in neutral aqueous solution, the presence of CNx MWNTs led to the direct formation of a high‐valent iron(IV)–porphyrin unit, which produced excellent catalytic activity toward the oxidation of sulfite ions. By using sulfite ions, a widely used versatile additive and preservative in the food and beverage industries, as a model, a highly sensitive amperometric biosensor was proposed. The biosensor showed a linear range of four orders of magnitude from 8.0×10−7 to 4.9×10−3 mol L−1 and a detection limit of 3.5×10−7 mol L−1 due to the highly efficient catalysis of the nanocomposite. The designed platform and method had good analytical performance and could be successfully applied in the determination of sulfite ions in beverages. The direct noncovalent assembly of porphyrin on CNx MWNTs provided a facile way to design novel biofunctional materials for biosensing and photovoltaic devices.
Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Cyclopentadithiophene‐Based Low‐Bandgap Copolymers That Contain Electron‐Withdrawing Thiazole Derivatives
Authors: Jung In Hwan , Yu Jinyoung , Jeong Eunjae , Kim Jinseck , Kwon Sooncheol , Kong Hoyoul , Lee Kwanghee , Woo Han Young , Shim Hong‐Ku
Published: February 2010

We have synthesized four types of cyclopentadithiophene (CDT)‐based low‐bandgap copolymers, poly[{4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl}‐alt‐(2,2′‐bithiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] (PehCDT‐BT), poly[(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐(2,2′‐bithiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] (PocCDT‐BT), poly[{4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl}‐alt‐{2,5‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole‐5,5′‐diyl}] (PehCDT‐TZ), and poly[(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐{2,5‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole‐5,5′‐diyl}] (PocCDT‐TZ), for use in photovoltaic applications. The intramolecular charge‐transfer interaction between the electron‐sufficient CDT unit and electron‐deficient bithiazole (BT) or thiazolothiazole (TZ) units in the polymeric backbone induced a low bandgap and broad absorption that covered 300 nm to 700–800 nm. The optical bandgap was measured to be around 1.9 eV for PehCDT‐BT and PocCDT‐BT, and around 1.8 eV for PehCDT‐TZ and PocCDT‐TZ. Gel permeation chromatography showed that number‐average molecular weights ranged from 8000 to 14 000 g mol−1. Field‐effect mobility measurements showed hole mobility of 10−6–10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 for the copolymers. The film morphology of the bulk heterojunction mixtures with [6,6]phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was also examined by atomic force microscopy before and after heat treatment. When the polymers were blended with PCBM, PehCDT‐TZ exhibited the best performance with an open circuit voltage of 0.69 V, short‐circuit current of 7.14 mA cm−2, and power conversion efficiency of 2.23 % under air mass (AM) 1.5 global (1.5 G) illumination conditions (100 mW cm−2).
Two Versatile and Parallel Approaches to Highly Symmetrical Open and Closed Natural Product‐Based Structures
Authors: Montenegro Héctor E. , Ramírez‐López Pedro , de la Torre María C. , Asenjo María , Sierra Miguel A.
Published: February 2010

Two parallel approaches for preparing diverse and highly symmetrical homohybrids derived from a series of mono‐ and diterpenes, steroids, and alkaloids are reported. Both procedures are based on the mono‐addition of bis(alkynyl) dilithium reagents to natural products having a carbonyl group to produce the corresponding alkynyl derivatives. The Glaser–Hay Cu‐promoted homocoupling of these alkynyl natural product mono‐adducts as well as the Huisgen Cu‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction resulted in the synthesis of steroid‐, terpene‐, and alkaloid‐based homohybrid derivatives incorporating diverse spacers to join the natural product scaffolds. Straightforward entries to novel closed highly symmetrical and complex estrone‐based macrocyclic and cage architectures by means of the Glaser–Eglinton homocoupling and the CuAAC reaction have been devised.
Expression of the embryonal isoform (0N/3R) of the microtubule‐associated protein tau in the adult rat central nervous system
Authors: Bullmann Torsten , Härtig Wolfgang , Holzer Max , Arendt Thomas
Published: February 2010

Tau is a microtubule‐associated protein expressed predominantly in neurons. The transcript of the tau gene is alternatively spliced. Resulting isoforms contain three or four microtubule‐binding repeats. The shortest tau isoform contains only three repeats (3R) and is expressed at birth. Previous data on rodents suggested that this isoform is no longer expressed during adulthood. It is replaced by tau isoforms containing four repeats (4R). The adult 4R tau isoforms bind to microtubules with higher affinity than 3R tau isoforms. Therefore, this isoform switch may reflect a need for more dynamic microtubules during development. Recently, we observed in rats that the 3R tau isoform is transiently expressed in adult neurogenesis. Subsequently, we performed an immunohistochemical labeling of the 3R tau isoform on serial sections of the adult rat brain. Interestingly, the 3R tau isoform is not only expressed in neuronal precursor cells. It is also present in mature neurons of the olfactory bulb, magnocellular neurosecretory system, posterolateral hypothalamus, locus coeruleus, raphe nucleus, solitary nucleus, medial septum and diagonal band, olfactory tuberculus, and piriform/olfactory cortex. This expression pattern is similar to that observed for the polysialylated form of the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM) and the microtubule‐associated proteins doublecortin and collapsin response mediating protein (CRMP‐4/TUC‐4/Ulip‐1), which are also highly expressed during early development. The retention of a juvenile phenotype in some neurons might be associated with a functionally significant neuronal plasticity. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:2538–2553, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimized DNA hybridization detection on nanocolloidal particles by dielectrophoresis
Authors: Gagnon Zachary , Senapati Satyajyoti , Chang Hsueh‐Chia
Published: February 2010

Oligonucleotides of varying surface coverage are functionalized onto the surface of 100 nm silica particles and the corresponding hybridization reaction with target ssDNA is studied using dielectrophoresis (DEP). The measured DEP cross‐over frequency (cof) is found to be sensitive to the oligonucleotide surface conformation. Zeta potential and particle size measurements suggest that at low oligo surface concentrations, non‐specific binding of oligo to the particle surface prevents efficient hybridization. At high surface coverage, steric hindrance due to the fully stretched, tightly packed oligo conformation prevents diffusion of DNA molecules to the particle surface. The optimum surface coverage exists at intermediate coverage where the particle is found to be the least electrically conductive, and hence exhibits the lowest measured cof. A simple DEP cof measurement hence allows one to determine the optimal oligo surface coverage for increased hybridization efficiency and detection sensitivity.
Enhanced multi‐objective optimization of a dimpled channel through evolutionary algorithms and multiple surrogate methods
Authors: Husain Afzal , Lee Ki‐Don , Kim Kwang‐Yong
Published: February 2010

Using a multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) and enhanced surrogate approximations, the present study demonstrates the numerical analysis and optimization of staggered‐dimple channels. Two surrogates, the response surface approximation (RSA) model and the Kriging (KRG) model, are applied in light of the surrogate fidelity of the approximate analysis. An enhanced Pareto‐optimal front is obtained by performing local resampling of the Pareto‐optimal front, which provides relatively more accurate Pareto‐optimal solutions in the design space for each surrogate model. Three dimensionless design variables are selected, which are related to geometric parameters, namely, the channel height, dimple print diameter, dimple spacing, and dimple depth. Two objective functions are selected that are related to the heat transfer and pressure loss, respectively. The objective‐function values are numerically evaluated through Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes analysis at the design points that are selected through the Latin hypercube sampling method. Using these numerical simulations two surrogates, viz, the RSA and Kriging models, are constructed for each objective function and a hybrid MOEA is applied to obtain the Pareto‐optimal front. For the particular implementation of surrogate models, it is observed that Pareto‐optimal predictions of the RSA model are better than those of the KRG model, whereas the KRG model predicts equally well at the off‐Pareto‐region (region away from the Pareto‐optimal solutions), which is not the case with the RSA model. The local resampling of the Pareto‐optimal front increases the fidelity of the approximate solutions near the Pareto‐optimal region. The ratios of the channel height to the dimple print diameter and of the dimple print diameter to the dimple pitch are found to be more sensitive along the Pareto‐optimal front than the ratio of the dimple depth to the print diameter. The decrease of the ratio of the channel height to the dimple diameter and the increase of the ratio of the dimple print diameter to the pitch lead to greater heat transfer at the expense of the pressure loss, whereas the ratio of the dimple depth to the print diameter is rather insensitive to Pareto‐optimal solutions. Pareto‐optimal solutions at higher values of the Nusselt number are associated with higher values of the pressure loss due to the increased recirculation, mixing of fluid and vorticity generation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thalamocortical sensorimotor circuit in multiple sclerosis: An integrated structural and electrophysiological assessment
Authors: Dell'Acqua Maria Luisa , Landi Doriana , Zito Giancarlo , Zappasodi Filippo , Lupoi Domenico , Rossini Paolo M. , Filippi Maria M. , Tecchio Franca
Published: February 2010

Demyelination and axonal damage are pathologic hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to loss of neuronal synchronization, functional disconnection amongst brain relays, and clinical sequelae. To investigate these properties, the primary component of the sensorimotor network was analyzed in mildly disabled Relapsing‐Remitting MS patients without sensory symptoms at the time of the investigation. By magnetoencephalography (MEG), the recruitment pattern within the primary sensory (S1) and motor (M1) areas was estimated through the morphology of the early components of somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs), after evaluating the S1 responsiveness to sensory inputs from the contralateral arm. In each hemisphere, network recruitment properties were correlated with ispilateral thalamus volume, estimated by morphometric techniques upon high‐resolution 3D structural magnetic resonance images (MRI). S1 activation was preserved, whereas SEF morphology was strikingly distorted in MS patients, marking a disruption of primary somatosensory network patterning. An unbalance of S1–M1 dynamic recruitment was documented and correlated with the thalamic volume reduction in the left hemisphere. These findings support the model of MS as a disconnection syndrome, with major susceptibility to damage experienced by nodes belonging to more frequently recruited and highly specialized networks. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abnormal water diffusivity in corticostriatal projections in children with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Govindan Rajkumar Munian , Makki Malek I. , Wilson Benjamin J. , Behen Michael E. , Chugani Harry T.
Published: February 2010

The fronto‐striato‐thalamic circuit has been implicated in the pathomechanism of Tourette Syndrome (TS). To study white and gray matter comprehensively, we used a novel technique called Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) combined with voxel‐based analysis (VBA) of diffusion tensor MR images in children with TS as compared to typically developing controls. These automated and unbiased methods allow analysis of cerebral white matter and gray matter regions. We compared 15 right‐handed children with TS (mean age: 11.6 ± 2.5 years, 12 males) to 14 age‐matched right‐handed healthy controls (NC; mean age: 12.29 ± 3.2 years, 6 males). Tic severity and neurobehavioral scores were correlated with FA and ADC values in regions found abnormal by these methods. For white matter, TBSS analysis showed regions of increased ADC in the corticostriatal projection pathways including left external capsule and left and right subcallosal fasciculus pathway in TS group compared to NC group. Within the TS group, ADC for the left external capsule was negatively associated with tic severity (r= −0.586, P = 0.02). For gray matter, VBA revealed increased ADC for bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, left putamen, and left insular cortex. ADC for the right and left orbitofrontal cortex was highly correlated with internalizing problems (r = 0.665; P = 0.009, r = 0.545; P = 0.04, respectively). Altogether, this analysis revealed focal diffusion abnormalities in the corticostriatal pathway and in gray matter structures involved in the fronto‐striatal circuit in TS. These diffusion abnormalities could serve as a neuroimaging marker related to tic severity and neurobehavioral abnormalities in TS subjects. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tubulin tyrosine ligase like 12 links to prostate cancer through tubulin posttranslational modification and chromosome ploidy
Authors: Wasylyk Christine , Zambrano Alberto , Zhao Chunhua , Brants Jan , Abecassis Joseph , Schalken Jack A. , Rogatsch Hermann , Schaefer Georg , Pycha Armin , Klocker Helmut , Wasylyk Bohdan
Published: February 2010

Prostate cancer is a common cause of death, and an important goal is to establish the pathways and functions of causative genes. We isolated RNAs that are differentially expressed in macrodissected prostate cancer samples. This study focused on 1 identified gene, TTLL12, which was predicted to modify tubulins, an established target for tumor therapy. TTLL12 is the most poorly characterized member of a recently discovered 14‐member family of proteins that catalyze posttranslational modification of tubulins. We show that human TTLL12 is expressed in the proliferating layer of benign prostate. Expression increases during cancer progression to metastasis. It is highly expressed in many metastatic prostate cancer cell lines. It partially colocalizes with vimentin intermediate filaments and cellular structures containing tubulin, including midbodies, centrosomes, intercellular bridges and the mitotic spindle. Downregulation of TTLL12 affects several posttranslational modifications of tubulin (detyrosination and subsequent deglutamylation and polyglutamylation). Overexpression alters chromosomal ploidy. These results raise the possibility that TTLL12 could contribute to tumorigenesis through effects on the cytoskeleton, tubulin modification and chromosome number stability. This study contributes a step toward developing more selective agents targeting microtubules, an already successful target for tumor therapy.
Abrasion resistance of oxidized zirconium in comparison with CoCrMo and titanium nitride coatings for artificial knee joints
Authors: Galetz Mathias C. , Fleischmann Ernst W. , Konrad Christian H. , Schuetz Adelheid , Glatzel Uwe
Published: February 2010

Most total knee replacement joints consist of a metal femoral component made from a cobalt‐chromium‐ molybdenum (CoCrMo)‐alloy and a tibial component with an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) bearing surface. Wear of the UHMWPE remains the primary disadvantage of these implants. The allergic potential ascribed to CoCrMo‐alloys is a further concern. Other metallic alloys with and without ceramic coatings are clinically used to avoid these problems. This study compared the mechanical surface properties of an oxidized zirconium alloy with those of cast and wrought CoCrMo and TiAlV6‐4. Additionally, the influence of a titanium nitride (TiN)‐plasma coating on the surface properties was investigated. The composition of the oxidized zirconium layer was analyzed. Micro‐ and macrohardness tests as well as adhesion tests were used to reveal material differences in terms of their abrasive wear potential in artificial joints. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010
Synthesis of new superhydrophobic nanosilica and investigation of their performance in reinforcement of polysiloxane
Authors: Fang XianLi , Huang Xu , Lu Zhen , Chen Li , Chen Su
Published: February 2010

We reported a new facile method to synthesize superhydrophobic nanosilica using glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and dodecylamine as treatment agents. Also, we systemically investigate their performance in reinforcement of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) rubber. Fourier transform infrared spectrum, contact angle (CA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements were used to characterize the modified nanosilica. Results show that the inherent hydrophilicity of parent nanosilica surface can be greatly altered through this modification method. The CA of as‐prepared superhydrophobic nanosilica can reach 160.2°. The properties of as‐prepared modified nanosilica‐filled PDMS composites were systemically investigated by dynamic rheological test, scanning electron microscopy, TGA, dynamic mechanical analysis. These as‐prepared superhydrophobic nanosilica exhibit uniform dispersion in the PDMS matrix, and their composites also show good mechanical properties and distinct advantage on thermal stability compared with those of the pure silica‐filled PDMS composites. Also described is the probable mechanism for the reinforcement of as‐prepared superhydrophobic nanosilica‐filled PDMS. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1628–1636, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Telomeres and the ageing process
Authors: Woo Jean , Suen Eddie , Tang Nelson LS
Published: February 2010

Telomere length is a reflection of cumulative oxidative and inflammatory stress throughout the life course, as well as oestrogen exposure. There is evidence that telomere length is associated with lifespan; however, it does not appear to be a better indicator of biological age than chronological age, even though it can be considered a biomarker of ageing. There are studies showing association between leukocyte telomere length and many of the common diseases of ageing, lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status. However, the associations are less marked among older people. Research in the area of manipulation of genetic control of telomerase activity controlling telomere length may have clinical applications in future.
Heat wave changes in the eastern Mediterranean since 1960
Authors: Kuglitsch F. G. , Toreti A. , Xoplaki E. , Della‐Marta P. M. , Zerefos C. S. , Türkeş M. , Luterbacher J.
Published: February 2010

A new data set of high‐quality homogenized daily maximum and minimum summer air temperature series from 246 stations in the eastern Mediterranean region (including Albania, Bosnia‐Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey) is developed and used to quantify changes in heat wave number, length and intensity between 1960 and 2006. Daily temperature homogeneity analyses suggest that many instrumental measurements in the 1960s are warm‐biased, correcting for these biases regionally averaged heat wave trends are up to 8% higher. We find significant changes across the western Balkans, southwestern and western Turkey, and along the southern Black Sea coastline. Since the 1960s, the mean heat wave intensity, heat wave length and heat wave number across the eastern Mediterranean region have increased by a factor of 7.6 ± 1.3, 7.5 ± 1.3 and 6.2 ± 1.1, respectively. These findings suggest that the heat wave increase in this region is higher than previously reported.
Raman mapping probing of tip-induced anomalous polarization behavior in V2O5 waveguiding nanoribbons
Authors: Yan Bin , Du Chaoling , Liao Lei , You Yumeng , Cheng Hao , Shen Zexiang , Yu Ting
Published: February 2010

Spatially resolved and polarized micro-Raman spectroscopy has been performed on individual V2O5 waveguiding nanoribbons. The experimental results establish that the Raman-antenna patterns are strongly correlated with the local positions of the sample, which gives rise to a pronounced intensity contrast in the polarized mapping for certain phonon modes. The suppressed phonon signals at the body of a ribbon can be enhanced at the end facets, resulting from the effective waveguiding propagation along the nanoribbon and strong local electric field intensity at the ends. The phenomena reported here, in addition to providing insight into the tip effects on optoelectronic nanodevices, will facilitate the rational design of Raman detection in nanostructures.
The Consideration of Emergency Management Issues in Spatial Planning Practices
Authors: Neuvel Jeroen M M , van den Brink Adri
Published: February 2010

Spatial planning can play an important role in increasing the possibilities for emergency response. Nevertheless, little research has been done that explicitly looks at the way emergency management issues are addressed in predisaster spatial planning. We explore the consideration of emergency management issues in the context of a Netherlands case study. In the Netherlands regional fire departments provide local planning authorities with recommendations regarding the consideration of emergency management issues. We found that only some of these recomendations were implemented in the land allocation plan itself and that risks were often reduced but seldom eliminated. Nevertheless, possibilities for emergency response in general were increased. Moreover, the communicative character of the safety advice process and the resulting collaboration between planners and emergency responders fit in well with the more general communicative and collaborative approaches to planning. For these reasons these experiences can also be relevant for the integration of spatial planning and emergency management in other countries.
Effects of Foliar Fungicide and Insecticide Applications on Soybean in Ohio
Authors: Dorrance A. E. , Cruz C. , Mills D. , Bender R. , Koenig M. , LaBarge G. , Leeds R. , Mangione D. , McCluer G. , Ruhl S. , Siegrist H. , Sundermeier A. , Sonnenberg D. , Yost J. , Watters H. , Wilson G. , Hammond R. B.
Published: February 2010

Mid-season applications of Quadris with and without Warrior insecticide were evaluated in 2004 and 2005, and Headline, Folicur, Domark, or Headline plus Folicur were evaluated in 2006, 2007, and 2008 in 37 farm scale studies in Ohio. Producer cooperators selected fields, applied treatments at growth stage R3 and harvested fields. Each trial was rated at growth stage R5 or R6 for incidence and severity of brown spot and frogeye leaf spot. Aphids and foliar disease incidence was low in 2004. Soybean aphids were counted at stage R5 in 2005. Brown spot severity was reduced significantly by Headline in seven of the 13 locations. In the absence of soybean aphid, a single application of fungicide(s) increased yield significantly in only six of the 28 locations, of which only three had yield increases greater than 4.2 bu/acre. Populations of soybean aphids were high during 2005 at nine locations, and an insecticide application increased yield significantly at eight locations. These data indicated that foliar diseases and aphids contribute to yield loss in soybeans. However, more studies are required to determine action thresholds for brown spot and frogeye leaf spot.

Accepted for publication 14 October 2010. Published 22 January 2010.
The challenge of biomimetic design for carbon‐neutral buildings using termite engineering
Authors: French John R.J. , Ahmed Berhan M.
Published: February 2010

Abstract  The main aim of this paper is to present humanity and termites as design partners in the creation of a new dimension of ecosystem understanding. The paper by Turner and Soar, “Beyond biomimicry: What termites can tell us about realizing the living building” (2008) opens up a new era in how we think of human habitations, not only on earth, but perhaps on other planets, and using the termite model as the corner stone of innovative engineering. We know that termites are masters of constructing ‘buildings’ that meet all nutrition, energy, waste disposal needs, shelter, and food sources for many other animals and insects. We need to emulate the symbiotic abilities of termites to survive over time, for we all live on this symbiotic planet, and symbiosis is natural and common.
Effects of abamectin selection on the genetic differentiation within Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) based on amplified fragment length polymorphism
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Mao , Wu Qing‐Jun , Zhang You‐Jun , Bai Lian‐Yang , Huang Xiong‐Ying
Published: February 2010

Abstract  Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) is one of the most serious insect pests for its remarkable ability to develop resistance to virtually every insecticide that has been used against it. In the present study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) is used to study the genetic differentiation as well as the effects of abamectin‐selection on population genetic differentiation for P. xylostella. A dendrogram was constructed from the matrix of genetic distances using the STATISTICA software (Version 4.5) and unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA). The data demonstrated that compared to the susceptible strain (ABM‐s), the heterozygosity in the abamectin‐resistant strain (ABM‐r) decreased with the increased selection pressure and resistant level. When the resistance ratio was below 4.3, there was no significant differentiation at the genome DNA level. When the resistance ratio reached 5.8, a fairly significant differentiation began to appear, and when the resistance ratio reached and exceeded 8.1, there appeared a significant genetic differentiation. The results suggest that abamectin selection is associated with increased genetic polymorphism in P. xylostella.