bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two new species of Crepidotus (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) from peninsular India
Authors: KUMAR A. MANOJ , VRINDA K.B. , PRADEEP C.K.
Published: October 2018

Two new species, Crepidotus volubilis and Crepidotus palodensis are described from Kerala State, India based on morphological and molecular (nrLSU) phylogenetic data. The new taxa were assigned to section Echinospori due to the verrucose basidiospores and presence of clamp connections in the hyphae. Comprehensive descriptions, photographs and comparisons with phenetically similar and phylogenetically related species are discussed. The nrLSU-based phylogenetic analysis performed using Maximum Likelihood (ML) method, supported the novelty of the species.
Cylindroconidiis aquaticus gen.et sp. nov., a new lineage of aquatic hyphomycetes in Sclerococcaceae (Eurotiomycetes)
Authors: YU XIAN-DONG , DONG WEI , BHAT D. JAYARAMA , BOONMEE SARANYAPHAT , ZHANG DI , ZHANG HUANG
Published: October 2018

During our ongoing investigations of freshwater fungi in Thailand, Cylindroconidiis aquaticus gen. et sp. nov. is described in family Sclerococcaceae (Eurotiomycetes), based on morphological characters and analyses of LSU, SSU and ITS sequence data. Its closest relatives are Rhopalophora and Fusichalara minuta. The new genus is characterized by mononematous, unbranched conidiophores, polyblastic, terminal or intercalary conidiogenous cells, and cylindrical,1-septate conidia. It is the first report of freshwater fungi encountered in Sclerococcaceae.
Blakea echinata (Melastomataceae: Blakeeae): a new species from the Caribbean rainforest of Panama
Authors: ALMEDA FRANK , PENNEYS DARIN S.
Published: October 2018

Blakea echinata from the lowland Caribbean rainforest of Panama is described, illustrated, mapped, and compared with superficially similar species. It is readily distinguished by its elongate internodes; indumentum of spreading smooth (sometimes gland-tipped) trichomes on distal branchlets, leaves, floral bracts, and calyx lobes intermixed with laterally compressed and somewhat roughened conic to clavate or ± triangular trichomes on distal branchlets, floral peduncles, and abaxial surfaces of floral bracts; rhombic reflexed basally clawed petals; yellow-orange unappendaged anthers; and ovary apex that is elaborated into a distally glandular-laciniate collar 5–6 mm long that envelops the style base. A conservation assessment of Critically Endangered is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Scientific Writing: The Predicament of Weather and Climate Scientists in India
Authors: Rajput Abhay S. D.
Published: October 2018

While writing is integral to science, it gets little attention in formal science education/academics. Such neglect has serious implications for nonnative English-speaking (NNES) scientists. An inability to write effective and efficient manuscripts can considerably delay the publication of new results while reflecting badly on the performance of individual scientists and on institutional productivity. In the multiethnic and multilingual Indian society, NNES scientists may face more linguistic complexities that inhibit clear and precise scientific writing. This article tries to address the predicament of scientific writing among NNES scientists in weather and climate sciences in India. Results from an informal e-mail survey with 80 respondents, mostly drawn from academic and research institutions in India, bolster anecdotal evidence of the difficulties NNES scientists have in writing about their science in research and popular publications. The responses also reflect high levels of interest these scientists have in addressing their communication difficulties. The survey results address the scientists’ perceptions and dilemmas in clear scientific writing as well as their perceived skills and training needs. The article also suggests possible solutions.
Merchandising Snoopy
Authors: Lind Stephen J
Published: October 2018

The Peanuts brand has commanded multimillion-dollar success in the challenging Japanese marketplace. The strength of the intellectual property developed by comic artist Charles M. Schulz and its resonance with fundamental Japanese tastes account for only part of the brand’s success. This study uses a historiographic methodology of ethnographic, interview, and archival research to examine the case of the Peanuts brand’s strategic approach to expansion in the Japanese market. The research findings indicate that (a) licensing is a strategically profitable model for adapting and logistically distributing a product to a new market, (b) active oversight structured into the licensing scheme is critical for maintaining brand integrity, and (c) division of authority that relies on localized partnerships within that structure of oversight is necessary to allow for the desired adaptation key to success.
A Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Analysis of the Proteins Secreted by Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Nakashima Yoshiki , Nahar Saifun , Miyagi-Shiohira Chika , Kinjo Takao , Toyoda Zensei , Kobayashi Naoya , Saitoh Issei , Watanabe Masami , Fujita Jiro , Noguchi Hirofumi
Published: October 2018

Liquid chromatography using a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) is a method of proteomic analysis. A shotgun analysis by LC-MS/MS comprehensively identifies proteins from tissues and cells with high resolution. The hepatic function of mice with acute hepatitis following the intraperitoneal administration of CCL4 was improved by the tail vein administration of the culture conditional medium (CM) of human mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue (hMSC-AT). In this study, a secreted protein expression analysis of hMSC-AT was performed using LC-MS/MS; 128 proteins were identified. LC-MS/MS showed that 106 new functional proteins and 22 proteins (FINC, PAI1, POSTN, PGS2, TIMP1, AMPN, CFAH, VIME, PEDF, SPRC, LEG1, ITGBL, ENOA, CSPG2, CLUS, IBP4, IBP7, PGS1, IBP2, STC2, CTHR1, CD9) were previously reported in hMSC-AT-CMs. In addition, various proteins associated with growth (SAP, SEM7A, PTK7); immune system processes (CO1A2, CO1A1, CATB, TSP1, GAS6, PTX3, C1 S, SEM7A, G3P, PXDN, SRCRL, CD248, SPON2, ENPP2, CD109, CFAB, CATL1, MFAP5, MIF, CXCL5, ADAM9, CATK); and reproduction (MMP2, CATB, FBLN1, SAP, MFGM, GDN, CYTC) were identified in hMSC-AT-CMs. These results indicate that a comprehensive expression analysis of proteins by LC-MS/MS is useful for investigating new factors associated with cellular components, biological processes, and molecular functions.
Dynamic stability of harmonically excited nanobeams including axial inertia
Authors: Arda Mustafa , Aydogdu Metin
Published: October 2018

This article is concerned with the dynamic stability problem of a nanobeam under a time-varying axial loading. The nonlocal Euler–Bernoulli beam model has been used for the continuum modeling of the nanobeam structure. This problem leads to a time-dependent Mathieu-Hill equation and has been solved by using the Lindstedt–Poincaré perturbation expansion method. The effect of a small-scale parameter on the dynamic displacement and critical dynamic buckling load of nanobeams has been investigated. Stability regions have been obtained from the local and nonlocal elasticity theories. The effect of the longitudinal vibration of nanobeams on instability regions has been included in the present analysis. Amplitudes of an arbitrary point of a nanobeam due to harmonic loads have been determined. Nonlocal and longitudinal vibration effects reduce the area of the instability region and increase amplitudes.
Continuity of Care: Perspectives of Uninsured Free Clinic Patients
Authors: Kamimura Akiko , Panahi Samin , Ahmmad Zobayer , Stoddard Mary , Weaver Shannon , Ashby Jeanie
Published: October 2018

Background:

Continuity of care is vital to the success of a health-care system because it improves patient satisfaction and health outcomes, and reduces hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine free clinic patients’ perspectives of continuity of care in the United States.

Method:

A convenience sample of free clinic patients who were the age of 18 or older and spoke English or Spanish participated in a self-administered survey from January to April in 2017 (N = 580).

Results:

Better instructions from providers were associated with higher levels of continuity of care ( P < .01). Higher levels of stress and worse self-rated general health were related to lower levels of continuity of care ( P < .05 for stress, P < .01 for general health). Being employed was associated with lower levels of continuity of care ( P < .05). Non-US born English speakers and Spanish speakers rated continuity of care higher than US born English speakers ( P < .01).

Conclusion:

Even if a patient is unable to see the same physician over time, quality instructions from a well-coordinated provider team may enhance continuity of care from patient perspectives. The social context of patients such as working poor individuals is very important for providers to understand in order to identify barriers to continuity of care.
The Primary Formation of a Cationic C10-Pyridinio-Chlorophyll-aDerivative by Chemical/Electrochemical Oxidation and the Physico-Chemical Properties of Regioisomericmeso-Adducts
Authors: Ogasawara Shin , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: October 2018

A cationic pyridinium group was introduced to a zinc chlorophyll-a derivative at the meso-positions via its (electro)chemically oxidized cationic radical state. The coupling reactions of zinc methyl mesopyropheophorbide-a with pyridine afforded 5-, 10-, and 20-pyridinio-chlorins that were successfully separated by reversed-phase HPLC. Their 1D/2D-NMR showed the major adduct to be the C10–N+C5H5 regioisomer. Substitution with the meso-pyridinio groups red-shifted their visible absorption bands in a solution.
Evaluation of a multi-level intervention to improve postpartum intrauterine device services in Rwanda
Authors: Ingabire Rosine , Nyombayire Julien , Hoagland Alexandra , Da Costa Vanessa , Mazzei Amelia , Haddad Lisa , Parker Rachel , Sinabamenye Robertine , Mukamuyango Jeannine , Smith Julie , Umutoni Victoria , Mork Ellen , Allen Susan , Karita Etienne , Wall Kristin M.
Published: October 2018

Background. The copper intrauterine device is one of the most safe, effective, and cost-effective methods for preventing unintended pregnancy. It can be used postpartum irrespective of breastfeeding to improve birth spacing and reduce unintended pregnancy and maternal-child mortality. However, this method remains highly underutilized.

Methods. We developed a multi-level intervention to increase uptake of the postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD, defined as insertion up to six weeks post-delivery) in Kigali, Rwanda. High-volume hospitals and health centers were selected for implementation of PPIUD counseling and service delivery. Formative work informed development of a PPIUD counseling flipchart to be delivered during antenatal care, labor and delivery, infant vaccination visits, or in the community. Two-day didactic counseling, insertion/removal, and follow-up trainings were provided to labor and delivery and family planning nurses followed by a mentored practicum certification process. Counseling data were collected in government clinic logbooks. Insertions and follow-up data were collected in logbooks created for the implementation. Data were collected by trained government clinic staff and abstracted/managed by study staff. Stakeholders were involved from intervention development through dissemination of results.

Results. Two hospitals (and their two associated health centers) and two additional health centers were selected. In 6-months prior to our intervention, 7.7 PPIUDs/month were inserted on average at the selected facilities. From August 2017-July 2018, we trained 83 counselors and 39 providers to provide PPIUD services. N=9,020 women received one-on-one PPIUD counseling after expressing interest in family planning who later delivered at a selected health facility. Of those, n=2,575 had PPIUDs inserted (average of 214.6 insertions/month), a 29% uptake. Most PPIUDs (62%) were inserted within 10 minutes of delivery of the placenta.

Conclusions. This successful, comprehensive intervention has the potential to make a significant impact on PPIUD uptake in Rwanda. The intervention is scalable and adaptable to other sub-Saharan African countries.
Characterization of fecal sludge as biomass feedstock in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu
Authors: Barani Viswa , Hegarty-Craver Meghan , Rosario Praveen , Madhavan Prakash , Perumal Prasanna , Sasidaran Sarani , Basil Milan , Raj Antony , Berg Adrian B. , Stowell Andrea , Heaton Camille , Grego Sonia
Published: October 2018

Background: Transformative sanitation technologies aim to treat fecal sludge (FS) by thermal processes and recover resources from it. There is a paucity of data describing the relevant properties of FS as viable feedstock for thermal treatment in major geographical target areas, such as India.

Methods: This study characterized FS collected from septic tanks in two cities located in the Indian southern state of Tamil Nadu. FS samples were obtained at the point of discharge from trucks in Tiruppur (n=85 samples) and Coimbatore (n=50 samples). Additionally, biosolids obtained from sewage treatment plants (STP) in the cities of Coimbatore and Madurai were characterized. Proximate and ultimate analysis as conducted by the fuel industry was carried out.

Results: The average higher heating value (HHV) across all FS samples in Tiruppur (13.4 MJ/kg) was much higher than the value for FS in Coimbatore (5.4 MJ/kg), which was partially attributed to the high ash content of 69% in the latter samples.  The HHV in the biosolids samples ranged between 10 and 12.2 MJ/Kg. The average total solids (TS) content for FS was 3.3% and 2.0% for Tiruppur and Coimbatore respectively, while the median TS content for the two cities was 2.3% and 1.2%. The heavy metal content of the ash was found to be below the thresholds for land disposal.

Conclusions: This is one of the first studies that has systematically characterized fecal sludge in cities in India and determined its calorific content. We expect these data to serve as input data in the design of thermal processes for fecal sludge treatment.
The integration site of the APP transgene in the J20 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tosh Justin L. , Rickman Matthew , Rhymes Ellie , Norona Frances E. , Clayton Emma , Mucke Lennart , Isaacs Adrian M. , Fisher Elizabeth M.C. , Wiseman Frances K.
Published: October 2018

Background: Transgenic animal models are a widely used and powerful tool to investigate human disease and develop therapeutic interventions. Making a transgenic mouse involves random integration of exogenous DNA into the host genome that can have the effect of disrupting endogenous gene expression. The J20 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a transgenic overexpresser of human APP with familial AD mutations and has been extensively utilised in preclinical studies and our aim was to determine the genomic location of the J20 transgene insertion.

Methods: We used a combination of breeding strategy and Targeted Locus Amplification with deep sequencing to identify the insertion site of the J20 transgene array. To assess RNA and protein expression of Zbtb20, we used qRT-PCR and Western Blotting.

Results: We demonstrate that the J20 transgene construct has inserted within the genetic locus of endogenous mouse gene Zbtb20 on chromosome 16 in an array, disrupting expression of mRNA from this gene in adult hippocampal tissue. Preliminary data suggests that ZBTB20 protein levels remain unchanged in this tissue, however further study is necessary. We note that the endogenous mouse App gene also lies on chromosome 16, although 42 Mb from the Zbtb20 locus.

Conclusions: These data will be useful for future studies utilising this popular model of AD, particularly those investigating gene interactions between the J20 APP transgene and other genes present on Mmu16 in the mouse.
Floristics of road forestry conflicting with the electrical networks: a case study in the southern region of Minas Gerais State
Authors: De Oliveira Altamir Fernandes , Neves Cinara Liberia Pereira , Pereira Gabriel De Assis , Garcia Fernando Henrique Silva , Coelho Silvério José , Pereira Jose Aldo Alves
Published: October 2018

Urban afforestation produces a great enhancement in the flora of cities, but if improperly implanted they generate disturbances, especially if the implanted species are not adapted to electric energy networks The objective of this paper was to carry out a qualitative-quantitative survey on urban afforestation through the interconnection with the electricity network in the five cities with most issues of electricity shutdown caused by trees in the South of Minas Gerais state At the end of the inventory there were 221 individuals belonging to 58 species, 56% of which were exotic and 44% native. Eight species counted for 51.99% of the total inventory, being: Jacaranda mimosifolia, Platanus acerifolia, Murraya paniculata, Lagerstroemia indica, Schinus molle, Ficus benjamina, Bauhinia variegata and Poincianella pluviosa. Only the species Schinus molle and Poincianella pluviosa are native. More than half of the inventoried trees presented a size incompatible with the electrical network, species of large (55.59%), medium (24.42%) and small (19.99%) sizes, to be implanted for urban afforestation. The selected streets had narrow widths, but the sidewalks had ideal widths for the implantation of afforestation. Treetop pruning was performed in 20% of the individuals evaluated, a practice that is widely used due to the presence of large species. The species evaluated in the inventory showed height ranging from 2 to 6 meters, not reaching their maximum potential when belonging to medium and large species. For the studied cities it is recommended a new evaluation of the urban afforestation, seeking to identify the appropriate patterns to the urban environment.
The Communist Manifesto, 170 Years Later
Authors: Amin Samir
Published: October 2018

In the last piece he wrote before his passing, Samir Amin revisits, for our age, the most important revolutionary document of all time, the Communist Manifesto. In a fitting conclusion to the work of a great revolutionary intellectual, Amin seeks nothing less than to explain the changing world trajectory from 1848 to 2018. Against the persistent vision of the globalized development of capitalism, he puts forward a vision for the transformation of the world through revolutionary processes—breaking with the submission to the deadly vicissitudes of the decadence of civilization.
Caracterización de los mecanismos de desconexión moral en escolares que asisten a una Institución Educativa pública del Departamento de Sucre- Colombia
Authors: Canchila Arrieta Esquelin Manuel , Hoyos de los Ríos Olga Lucía , Valega Mackenzie Sandra Johana
Published: October 2018

El objetivo del presente estudio fue caracterizar los mecanismos de desconexión moral (DM) utilizados por un grupo de escolares pertenecientes a una Institución Educativa pública del Departamento de Sucre- Colombia. Se aplicó el cuestionario MD para medir la desconexión moral (Bandura, Barbaranelli, Caprara & Pastorelli, 1996). Participaron 192 escolares (chicos y chicas) que cursaban 5to de primaria y 9no de secundaria. Los resultados evidenciaron que los mecanismos de DM más utilizados para justificar actos de agresión y de violencia son: transferencia de la responsabilidad, difusión de la responsabilidad, distorsión de las consecuencias y la culpabilización de la víctima. Es entre los 10 y 12 años de edad que se reportó con mayor frecuencia el uso de estos mecanismos, destacando que chicos y chicas utilizan por igual los mecanismos de distorsión de las consecuencias y la difusión de la responsabilidad. Los resultados permitirán proponer planes de intervención pertinentes a la realidad de los contextos educativos de la región.
Capacidad para la libertad. Modelo participativo de desarrollo comunitario y reorientación de los procesos formativos en núcleos sociales marginados
Authors: Silva Ríos Carlos Enrique , Villaseñor Palma Karla Monserratt
Published: October 2018

Se presentan argumentos a favor de una pedagogía social basada en el enfoque de las capacidades y su potencial para el desarrollo. Se aboga por una pedagogía social que eduque para el ejercicio pleno de la libertad. Se ofrece una definición de pedagogía social. Se presenta un resumen general del enfoque de las capacidades tal como lo desarrollan Amartya Sen y Martha Nussbaum. Se describen con detalle las diez capacidades centrales definidas por Martha Nussbaum. Se describe el modelo socioeducativo diseñado por el Centro Universitario de Participación Social y el Cuerpo Académico Pedagogía Social y Orientación Educativa de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, México. Se indica la relación directa entre el modelo socioeducativo descrito y el enfoque de las capacidades. Finalmente, se concluye que es posible, a través de la pedagogía social, tender un puente de realización entre el enfoque de las capacidades y los contextos sociales injustos.
Characterization of antioxidant activity of sulfur compounds in black garlic
Authors: Wang Wei-dong , Sun Yue-E , Chen Hong-wei
Published: October 2018

Different types of sulfur compounds, namely S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (ACSO) and a synthetic Î³-L-glutamyl-S-allyl-L-cysteine (GSAC) were extracted from black garlic and their inhibition to the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) were investigated. Upon addition of inhibitor, the amount of produced fructosamine was determined by UV visible spectroscopy. The change of pentosidine and fluorescent AGEs during reaction was detected by fluorescence method and the change of carboxymethyl lysine (CML) was detected by high performance liquid chromatography. It was found that the inhibitory effects of SAC and ACSO are stronger to the early and mid non-fluorescent products in glycosylation reaction, and GSAC has an obvious inhibitory effect on the later reaction products. All these three inhibitors can effectively inhibit advanced glycation reaction. Although their effects on glycation products are different due to different chemical structures, they have similar inhibitory effects on fluorescent products.
A simplified and optimized protocol for total DNA extraction from insect species: applicable for studying genetic diversity and PCR-based specimen identification via partial amplification of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene
Authors: Paydar Samira , Ucar Esra , Yari Peyman , Safavi Seyed Mehdi , Kahrizi Danial , Nateqi Masoud , Mirmoayedi Alinaghi , Yari Kheirollah
Published: October 2018

The efficient DNA extraction from insects has been suggested as a critical and main step affecting molecular entomology for taxonomic identification, the establishment of DNA barcoding library and analysis of genetic diversity relationship between insect populations. For successfully apply these molecular techniques, high-quantity and high-quality of the extracted DNA are required. Several protocols for efficient genomic DNA extraction from insects have been developed. In this research, we represent a rapid, reliable and cost-effective method that it is not reliant on poisonous and enzymatic reagents for DNA extraction from insect tissues. Results showed that high quantity and high-quality of the isolated DNA by this method is suitable and can be used directly for PCR, also is enough to do hundreds of molecular reactions. In conclusion, we described a fast, cost-effective, non-toxic and enzyme-free protocol for high yield genomic DNA extraction from green Lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea) tissues in basic equipment laboratories.
Investigation on the expression stability of common reference genes in Aurelia sp.1 under hypoxia
Authors: Gao Xiang , Wang Guoshan
Published: October 2018

RT-qPCR (Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) is a reliable molecular biology technique used for gene expression detection due to its high sensibility and good reproducibility. However, suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR are often not available to investigate the expression of target genes in jellyfish under different conditions. To determine the responsible genes of jellyfish under hypoxia, primers to amplify the actin gene was designed for the amplification according to the conserved actin amino acid sequences of cnidarian. Then, we cloned and sequenced the partial cDNA sequence of Î²-actin gene containing 849 bp nucleic acids was cloned and sequenced, and the four common housekeeping genes (18S rRNA, Î²-actin, Î±-tubulin and GAPDH) were detected. To obtain suitable reference genes, we compared the four genes under normoxia and hypoxia were determined and compared using RT-qPCR. The evaluation result shows that Î±-tubulin gene can be used as single reference gene, and Î±-tubulin and Î²-actin can be served as multiple reference genes to study relative gene expression related to hypoxic tolerance of Aurelia sp.1. This research will establish foundation to reveal the molecular mechanism of jellyfish under hypoxia.
Towards an explanation of the syntax of West Germanic particle verbs: A cognitive-pragmatic view
Authors: Berg Thomas
Published: October 2018

While the unusual behaviour of particle verbs in West Germanic has been the subject of much debate, it still awaits a substantive explanation. These verbs undergo reversal and/or intercalation subject to such syntactic constraints as finiteness and clause type. Situated within Prototype Theory, this study defines the relevant grammatical categories in terms of varying degrees of syntacticity (i.e., sentence-likeness vs. word-likeness) of which cohesiveness is a major indicator. The higher the cohesiveness of a given category, the more resistant it is to syntactic processes. The following scale of increasing cohesiveness is proposed: main clauses, finite verbs, subordinate clauses, non-finite verbs, nouns. Thus, reversal and intercalation are found in the leftward, though not in the rightward categories. This scale is pragmatically motivated. Generally speaking, main clauses are communicatively more important than subordinate clauses. Therefore, the former require a wider choice of expressive means such as reversal and intercalation than the latter. The availability of syntactic options is argued to be an iconic reflection of communicative needs.
Composing for Improvisers: Negotiating the Issue of Individual Voice
Authors: Hunter Anton
Published: October 2018

This paper addresses one aspect of my Practice as Research project exploring composing for large groups of improvising musicians. It looks at how my practice evolved as a result of contemplating the nature of solo improvisation, together with Garry L. Hagberg’s writings around “Collective Intention.” I discuss a new work for octet that started with small-group improvisations, initially totally freely and then later using thematic material inspired and informed by the initial sessions. By basing the finished compositions on improvisations this way, I aim to bring the creative voice of the individuals into final performance. Not just by employing the compositional techniques of the likes of Graham Collier, John Zorn, Anthony Braxton and many others who allow room for realtime improvised contributions in performance, but by weaving the unique voices of the musicians into the written material as well. In this way, I am challenging the stereotype of a lone composer working away from the ensemble, which the contemporary big band composer often fits.
La vesta, ch’al gran dì sarà sì chiara: Dante, Michelangelo und das Jüngste Gericht
Authors: Ott Christine
Published: October 2018

Riassunto

Dopo un’introduzione al dibattito medievale sul giudizio universale e la risurrezione dei corpi, il contributo analizza l’immaginario della »vesta« all’interno della concezione dantesca della risurrezione. Sebbene l’ammonizione di Catone, che in Purg. II esorta le anime a »spogliarsi« di un involucro ingombrante, sembri propagare una condanna del corpo come fonte di peccato, la concezione dantesca vede la felicità ultraterrena (e risurrezionale) in una riunione di corpo e anima, la »doppia vesta« di Par. XXV. Anche in Michelangelo si incontra spesso l’immaginario del vestito o della pelle come simboli di una condizione peccaminosa di cui l’uomo deve »spogliarsi« per accedere alla felicità ultraterrena. La pelle del peccatore ha trovato una concretizzazione pittorica impressionante nel celebre autoritratto che Michelangelo ha nascosto nella pelle di san Bartolomeo, nel Giudizio universale della Sistina. Impossibile decidere se essa raffiguri l’involucro dell’uomo »vecchio«, che va eliminato per accedere alla via eterna, oppure un qualcosa che »va salvato«. Altrettanto impossibile dire se l’artista volesse esprimere una sorta di auto-condanna oppure la speranza di poter risorgere lasciando dietro di sé la propria natura di peccatore. Nella lirica michelangiolesca il discorso non è affatto più semplice. Accanto alle liriche improntate a un dualismo neoplatonico di anima e corpo, vi sono altre che trattano la tematica della risurrezione in maniera frivola, concettistica, celebrando la bellezza di un giovane amato, che anche dopo la morte dovrà risorgere tale quale e che darà conforto alle altre anime – in paradiso oppure in inferno. Il tono spirituale e quello amoroso possono anche essere intimamente connessi, come si mostrerà infine in base al sonetto D’altrui pietoso. In questo testo segnato da reminiscenze dantesche e petrarchesche, un’io lirico esprime il desiderio di lasciare la propria pelle per rivestirne l’amato – che a sua volte appare contemporaneamente come essere terreno e come figura di Dio.
Zwischen Unsterblichkeit und Auferstehung: das körperliche Jenseits der Göttlichen Komödie
Authors: Gragnolati Manuele
Published: October 2018

Riassunto

Questo articolo esplora il concetto di »antropologia escatologica« nella Commedia. In un primo tempo verranno presentati i cambiamenti che caratterizzano la concezione escatologica dell’Occidente cristiano a partire dal XII secolo e che si realizzano pienamente nel poema dantesco. Si discuteranno in seguito due modelli antropologici discussi dalla filosofia scolastica a partire degli ultimi decenni del XIII secolo: quello più tradizionale della pluralità delle forme e quello più innovativo dell’unità della forma. In una terza parte si analizzerà la posizione originale presa da Dante all’interno del dibattito filosofico contemporaneo quando nel XXV canto del Purgatorio la figura di Stazio dà una lunga spiegazione sulla formazione dell’anima razionale nell’embrione umano: se infatti la dottina embriologica presentata da Stazio si apre con i dettami della dottrina della pluralità delle forme, essa si conclude secondo i principi dell’unità della forma. La Commedia può così immaginare che quando l’anima si separa dal corpo e giunge nell’aldilà, può crearsi un corpo d’aria che le permette di avere tanto una forma (»veduta«) quanto tutti i sensi (»ciascun sentire«), così che anche senza il suo corpo terreno l’anima può comunque avere una piena esperienza sensoriale dell’aldilà. L’ultima parte dell’articolo mostra come nonostante questa esperienza dei sensi permessa all’anima dal corpo aereo nel periodo tra la morte fisica e la fine dei tempi, la Commedia continui a considerare il Giudizio Universale e la Resurrezione del corpo come gli eventi finali in cui l’essere umano ritroverà la sua pienezza veramente corporea e di conseguenza la sua esperienza dell’aldilà sarà veramente completa e definitiva.
Infernale Landschaften: Wie Dantes Commedia das Bild des Weltgerichts in Italien verändert
Authors: Holler Theresa
Published: October 2018

Riassunto

Questo contributo discute due cicli pittorici del Trecento raffiguranti il Giudizio universale: quello attribuito a Buonamico Buffalmacco nel Camposanto di Pisa, e quello di Nardo di Cione nella Cappella Strozzi di Mantova a Santa Maria Novella di Firenze, nei quali il testo della Commedia di Dante è adottato per mettere a punto una rappresentazione visiva efficace dell’inferno. Il fatto che l’opera dantesca modifichi l’immagine dell’aldilà nella penisola italiana è sempre stato spiegato invocando la popolarità stessa del testo, senza tenere in debito conto il fatto che la sua apparizione e circolazione non furono accolte senza problemi e reticenze. Vennero infatti espresse anche posizioni critiche nei confronti di Dante e dei suoi scritti, su questi ultimi soprattutto da parte dei domenicani, eppure entrambi i cicli in esame vennero realizzati in contesti legati, direttamente o indirettamente, ai frati predicatori. Il presente contributo vuole mettere in dubbio la teoria, generalmente accettata senza discussione, che vede nella precoce adozione della Commedia nell’immaginario del Giudizio universale un segno della sua ricezione senz’altro positiva. Fu così, oppure le immagini in cui si tradusse il testo dantesco ci parlano in un linguaggio ambiguo?
Das erste Gericht
Authors: Lechtermann Christina
Published: October 2018

Riassunto

Accanto alle narrazioni premoderne del Giudizio universale e a quelle di ›giudizi‹ particolari più o meno ›personalizzati‹, troviamo motivi che mettono in scena anche altri aspetti della soteriologia nell’ambito di ›contrasti‹ formalizzati, oppure si appoggiano decisamente a modelli testuali giuridici. La posizione particolare che spetta al Giudizio universale è così inserita in un contesto di una serie di ›giudizi‹, nei quali si dibatte – in forma narrativa – del destino dell’uomo nell’età premoderna.
Dies irae, dies illa – Memento mori im Angesicht des Jüngsten Gerichts
Authors: Bruggisser-Lanker Therese
Published: October 2018

Riassunto

Fin dalla sua comparsa, la sequenza del Dies irae ebbe una posizione ambivalente, e con il suo immaginario angoscioso, irrevocabilmente legato all’apocalisse di Giovanni, è presto diventata una cifra del giudizio universale, lasciando profonde tracce nella storia della mentalità medievale. Nel contesto della messa da requiem tuttavia i compositori la integrarono fin dal Cinquecento, attraverso l’impiego di simbologie celesti, nel concetto dell’armonia, nel quale entrarono anche processi di soggettivazione e una nuova dinamica della creatività.
Existentielle Zwitter
Authors: Heimgartner Stephanie
Published: October 2018

Riassunto

Nell’Inferno dantesco, chi separa volontariamente il corpo dall’anima con l’atto del suicidio, deve consapevolmente sopportare la disgrazia di uno stato puramente vegetativo, che secondo la classificazione scolastica sarebbe privo di coscienza. Questa metamorfosi ›contro natura‹ modella la struttura del canto XIII dell’Inferno a livello verbale e retorico, ma anche a livello strutturale: su entrambi i livelli, difatti, si creano dinamiche antitetiche. Tormentando i dannati del canto con antichi mostri quali centauri e arpie, Dante esibisce l’ordine specifico del suo mondo immaginario. Da un lato, infatti, troviamo creature ibride mitico-finzionali provenienti dagli auctores Virgilio e Ovidio; creature che nel loro contesto – sia pure infernale – funzionano senza restrizioni; dall’altro abbiamo mostri ›reali‹, creature esistenzialmente ibride che si sono private volontariamente della loro condizione umana e devono perciò sopportare l’eterna separazione del corpo dall’anima.
Cattolico poeta e padre della nazione: riflessi danteschi nel pensiero politico di Alcide De Gasperi
Authors: Largaiolli Matteo
Published: October 2018

In der Geschichte der italienischen Politik hat Dante Alighieri seit jeher eine maßgebliche Rolle gespielt. Dem Dichter und ›Vater der italienischen Sprache‹ begegnet man auch bei Alcide De Gasperi. In den politischen Schriften und Reden des italienischen Staatsmannes wird auf Dante nicht nur in rhetorischem Gestus wiederholt zurückgegriffen (z. B. als Signal eines gemeinsamen kulturellen Hintergrunds); Dante steht vielmehr im Mittelpunkt von De Gasperis politischem Denken, wenn es um die Definition und Konstruktion von Identität, um die Zugehörigkeit zur christlichen Kultur sowie um die Veranschaulichung der Rolle eines Christen in der Welt geht. Am Beispiel von De Gasperis Schriften lässt sich die Resonanz der Figur und des Werks Dantes im politischen Diskurs Italiens im 20. Jahrhundert exemplarisch darstellen.
Fabrication and Bioapplications of Magnetically Modified Chitosan-based Electrospun Nanofibers
Authors: Safarik Ivo , Pospiskova Kristyna , Baldikova Eva , Savva Ioanna , Vekas Ladislau , Marinica Oana , Tanasa Eugenia , Krasia-Christoforou Theodora
Published: October 2018

The fabrication of magnetically modified electrospun nanocomposite fibers based on a naturally-derived biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide chitosan (CS) and the hydrophilic and biocompatible poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is reported herein. The anchoring of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) onto the surfaces of the electrospun PVP/CS fibers was carried out by a post-magnetization process based on chemical coprecipitation, via immersing the produced fibrous mats in an aqueous solution containing Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts at appropriate molar ratios, followed by the addition of a weak base to yield MNPs. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of continuous micron and submicron fibers surface-decorated with MNPs. The magnetically modified PVP/CS fibers exhibited superparamagnetic behavior at ambient temperature. The magnetic fibrous nanocomposite carrier was employed for the immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and their use for sucrose hydrolysis, and Candida rugosa lipase and its use for artificial substrate hydrolysis.
“Successful” migration, (English) language skills and global inequality: The case of Bangladeshi migrants to the Middle East
Authors: Erling Elizabeth J. , Chowdhury Qumrul Hasan , Solly Mike , Seargeant Philip
Published: October 2018

Migration has become a vital element of the Bangladeshi economy, which has led to an increasing focus on providing Bangladeshis with the skills needed on the international labour market. English is often cited as one of these skills, and previous research has shown that a primary reason why Bangladeshis wish to learn English is due to its perceived value for pursuing work abroad (Erling, Elizabeth J., Philip Seargeant, Mike Solly, Qumrul H Chowdhury, & Sayeedur Rahman. 2012.Attitudes to English as a language for international development in rural Bangladesh. London: British Council. Available online athttp://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/attitudes-english-a-language-international-development-rural-bangladesh.). The extent to which English is of value in economic migration, however, has been underexplored in research (Coleman, Hywel. 2010.The English language in development. London: British Council. Available athttp://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/english-language-development.). Drawing on data from a qualitative study which provides new insights into the experiences and perceptions of a cohort of returnee migrants, this article investigates the perceived value of (English) language skills for migration. The study finds that economic migrants see the advantages of having particular skills, especially English, for economic gain. However, applying a capabilities lens to their narratives (Sen, Amartya. 1999.Development as freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.) reveals the difficulties of classifying their experiences in terms of “success” given the deeply embedded structural issues and challenges the participants report facing. This article therefore questions assumptions that language skills can be transformational when social inequality is (re)produced in the context of migration.
Metaphysics or Metaphors for the Anthropocene? Scientific Naturalism and the Agency of Things
Authors: Gamez Patrick
Published: October 2018

In this paper, I provide the outlines of an alternative metaphilosophical orientation for Continental philosophy, namely, a form of scientific naturalism that has proximate roots in the work of Bachelard and Althusser. I describe this orientation as an “alternative” insofar as it provides a framework for doing justice to some of the motivations behind the recent revival of metaphysics in Continental philosophy, in particular its ecological-ethical motivations. In the second section of the paper, I demonstrate how ecological-ethical issues motivate new metaphysicians like Bruno Latour, Jane Bennett, Timothy Morton, Ian Bogost, and Graham Harman to impute to objects real features of agency. I also try to show how their commitments lead to deep ambiguities in their metaphysical projects. In the final section, I outline a type of scientific naturalism in Continental philosophy that parallels the sort of naturalism championed by Quine, both conceptually and historically, and suggest that it might serve our ecological-ethical purposes better.
Energy transfer in liquid and solid nanoobjects: application in luminescent analysis
Authors: Smirnova T. D. , Shtykov S. N. , Zhelobitskaya E. A.
Published: October 2018

Radiationless resonance electronic excitation energy transfer (ET) is a fundamental physical phenomenon in luminescence spectroscopy playing an important role in natural processes, especially in photosynthesis and biochemistry. Besides, it is widely used in photooptics, optoelectronics, and protein chemistry, coordination chemistry of transition metals and lanthanides as well as in luminescent analysis. ET involves the transfer of electronic energy from a donor (D) (molecules or particles) which is initially excited, to an acceptor (A) at the ground state to emit it later. Fluorescence or phosphorescence of the acceptor that occurs during ET is known as sensitized. There do many kinds of ET exist but in all cases along with other factors the rate and efficiency of ET in common solvents depends to a large extent on the distance between the donor and the acceptor. This dependency greatly limits the efficiency of ET and, correspondingly, does not allow the determination of analytes in highly diluted (10–9–10–15 M) solutions. To solve the problem of distance-effect, the effects of concentrating and bring close together the donor and acceptor in surfactant micelles (liquid nanosystems) or sorption on solid nanoparticles are used. Various approaches to promote the efficiency of ET for improvement determination selectivity and sensitivity using liquid and solid nanoobjects is reviewed and analyzed.
Socially Not Acceptable: Lessons from a Wind Farm Project in St-Valentin, Quebec
Authors: Simard Louis
Published: October 2018

Social acceptability appears as a new public norm that major projects must meet in order to be authorized and realized. This article proposes to analyze the case of a wind farm project in the municipality of St-Valentin, Quebec, Canada near the border with Vermont, which was cancelled by the government due to lack of social acceptance, in order to illustrate the importance of this norm today. The project involved the construction of 25 turbines to generate 52 MW of power. Launched in 2006, the project was already significantly under way by 2008; however, in 2011, the government permanently shelved it. Through a combination of document analysis and 11 interviews, we identified the main reasons for the lack of social acceptability: lack of upstream consultation from the developer and wrong scale planned for the consultation process, controversies surrounding the public decision-making process, profound contradictions between the community’s values and interests and the nature of the project, and perceptions of the impacts on the landscape and conflicting uses. For better project social acceptability, lessons learned from this case suggest from a procedural perspective opting for broad, open, and early consultation, prioritizing a regional scale for the approach and acting with transparency, clear rules and a concern for building an ongoing relationship with stakeholders. From a more substantive perspective, our analysis points to the importance of factoring in the level of compatibility between the nature of the project and the values and interests shared by stakeholders in the community, and planning potential modifications to adapt the project to the context in light of their demands.
“Regrettably up-to-date”
Authors: Galt Frances C.
Published: October 2018

Patterns of Discrimination against Women in the Film and Television Industries, a report issued in 1975 by the Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians (ACTT), was a seminal document on gender discrimination in the workplace. Upon its publication, it was heralded as “by far the most comprehensive and informed to have been produced within the trade union movement so far” by feminist film scholar and activist Claire Johnston. However, by the time of the ACTT's first Women's Conference six years later, in 1981, Gillian Skirrow described the report as “regrettably up-to-date,” indicating that little had changed. This article examines the relationship between women and the ACTT between 1968 and 1981 to situate the report in historical context.
Rebuilding Britain
Authors: Bell Melanie
Published: October 2018

Women's marginalization in the British feature film industry is well documented: gender discrimination, and sometimes overt segregation, shut most women out of senior creative roles after the introduction of sound. What has received less critical attention is their participation in nonfiction filmmaking, which offered women greater employment opportunities, especially in the decades after World War II as Britain rebuilt its economy. This article provides the first historical mapping of women's involvement in sponsored nonfiction filmmaking in Britain in the period between 1945 and 1970, using newly available statistical data from Britain's film trade union, the Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians (ACTT). It also draws on oral histories, extant films, and specialist trade publications to outline two case studies, one featuring three editors, and the other a director (Sarah Erulkar) who between them produced, directed and edited more than two hundred shorts on topics ranging from mineshaft sinking to French cookery. It argues that evidence of women's creative agency in this sector offers new ways of thinking about film history.
Titillating Cuts
Authors: Missero Dalila
Published: October 2018

The article analyzes the experiences of Italian women editors as examples of the complex interplay between modes of resistance and acceptance developed by women professionals in a male-dominant film industry. Retracing the evolution of the profession of editor from the silent era to the 1970s, the article navigates the genealogies of Italian women who worked in the cutting room. These women used their creative and professional skills to overcome obstacles imposed by a film industry that otherwise reproduced entrenched patterns of gender and class discrimination. In particular the case of Ornella Micheli, a professional editor who worked on more than sixty films between the 1950s and the 1970s, reveals a practitioner who fitted into the mechanisms of her working environment, but also developed her own personal strategies to affirm her professional status and ensure the continuity of her career.
“The men did not care for us women”
Authors: Payne Alison
Published: October 2018

The emergence of commercial television advertising impacted women working as copywriters and artists in the creative departments of London ad agencies. Looking at the period 1955 to 1968, this paper discusses whether the observed fall in the proportion of women in creative departments was on par with a broader national “problem” of fewer and fewer women in professional occupations, or whether women in this sector were particularly hard hit. The research concludes that women copywriters and artists did not benefit from the advent of commercial television advertising. Their careers were limited by disparaging attitudes held by the younger generation, and changes in processes and creative skills required by the new medium. It also illustrates, however, that new opportunities for women did open up in television advertising production, in both advertising agencies and the wider production industry.