Determining the absolute abundance of dinoflagellate cysts in recent marine sediments: The Lycopodium marker-grain method put to the test

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Mertens, K; Verhoeven; Verleye

2009-01-01

Absolute abundances (concentrations) of dinoflagellate cysts are often determined through the addition of Lycopodium clavatum marker-grains as a spike to a sample before palynological processing. An inter-laboratory calibration exercise was set up in order to test the comparability of results obt...

New, rare or remarkable microfungi in the Italian Alps (Carnic Alps)--part I--ascomycotina.

Science.gov (United States)

Feige, G B; Ale-Agha, N; Jensen, M; Christiaans, B; Kricke, R

2004-01-01

During our observations in the SE part of the Carnic Alps in the year 2003 we were able to collect and identify 35 ascomycetes on trees and dead wood. Among these one can find numerous ascomycetes of different orders e.g. Pyrenomycetes, Loculoascomycetes and Discomycetes. Some species like Botryosphaeria ribis GROSENLUCHER & DUGGAR on Ribes alpinum L., Dothiora pyrenophora (FR.) FR. on Sorbus aucuparia L., Gemmamyces piceae (BORTH.) CASAGO. on Picea excelsa (LAM.) LINK, Glomerella montana (SACC.) v. ARX & E. MULLER on Sesleria caerulea (L.) ARD, Hymenoscyphus immutabilis (Fuck.) Dennis on Alnus incana (L.) Moench, Hysterographium fraxini (PERS. Ex. FR.) de Not. on Fraxinus ornus L., Lachnellula willkommii (Hartig) DENNIS [= Trichascyphella willkommii (Hartig) NANNF.] on Larix decidua MILL.,Leptosphaeria lycopodina (Mont.) SACC. on Lycopodium annotinum L., Mollisia adenostylidis REHM. on Adenostyles glabra (MILL.) DC., Pezicula cinnamomea (DC.)SACC. [ana: Cryptosporiopsis quercina PETRAK] on Quercus robur L., Pyrenopeziza petiolaris (A. & S. Ex FR.) NANNF. on Acer pseudoplatanus L., Tapesia rosae (PERS.) FUCKEL on Rosa canina L., are new for this area. All specimen are deposited in the Herbarium ESS Mycotheca Parva, Collection G.B. Feige/N. Ale-Agha.

El gobierno de la casa en Atenas clásica: género y poder en el "oikos"

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

María Dolores MIRÓN PÉREZ

2010-02-01

Full Text Available RESUMEN: La sociedad ateniense de los siglos V y IV a.C. es una de las que con mayor nitidez presenta diferenciación de papeles y espacios según el género: exterior/£> o/¿s/varón e interior/oz&os/mujer. Frente al poder público de los varones, la dirección de los asuntos internos del hogar es entendida como esfera de autoridad naturalmente femenina. No obstante esta división de competencias, ellas también conocen los asuntos externos de la casa, ya que el gobierno de ésta en todos sus ámbitos tiende a ejercerse conjuntamente por el marido y la esposa, siendo las funciones de ambos interdependientes e igualmente importantes. Esta autoridad femenina estará limitada por la decisión última del cabeza de familia, un varón, punto de intersección entre lo público y lo privado, y con capacidad legal en ambos ámbitos. La autoridad suprema en la casa corresponde al esposo, quien delega en su esposa las competencias para las que, por su naturaleza, se considera más apta una mujer. Sin embargo, ante la ausencia del marido, la esposa puede temporalmente erigirse de facto —aunque nunca legalmente— en auténtica cabeza de familia y en garante de la supervivencia del oikos.ABSTRACT: Athenian society of 5th and 4th centuries B. C. especially displays a clear gender differentiation of roles and spaces: exterior/^o/zVmen and interior/oz'&os/women. If men control public power, women exercise authority over the inner spheres of the household. Despite their different domains, women also have knowledge about external spheres, as both husband and wife jointly rule the household. Both domains were interdependent and equally important, but woman's authority was limited by the ultimate decision of the male head of household. He was the intermediary between the public and private worlds and he had legal capacity in both spheres. He is the supreme authority in the household and delegates to her wife the fields «naturally» more appropriate to women

From Topos to Oikos: The Standardization of Glass Containers as Epistemic Boundaries in Modern Laboratory Research (1850-1900).

Science.gov (United States)

Espahangizi, Kijan

2015-09-01

Glass vessels such as flasks and test tubes play an ambiguous role in the historiography of modern laboratory research. In spite of the strong focus on the role of materiality in the last decades, the scientific glass vessel - while being symbolically omnipresent - has remained curiously neglected in regard to its materiality. The popular image or topos of the transparent, neutral, and quasi-immaterial glass container obstructs the view of the physico-chemical functionality of this constitutive inner boundary in modern laboratory environments and its material historicity. In order to understand how glass vessels were able to provide a stable epistemic containment of spatially enclosed experimental phenomena in the new laboratory ecologies emerging in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, I will focus on the history of the material standardization of laboratory glassware. I will follow the rise of a new awareness for measurement errors due to the chemical agency of experimental glass vessels, then I will sketch the emergence of a whole techno-scientific infrastructure for the improvement of glass container quality in late nineteenth-century Germany. In the last part of my argument, I will return to the laboratory by looking at the implementation of this glass reform that created a new oikos for the inner experimental milieus of modern laboratory research.

Prevalence and likelihood ratio of symptoms in patients with good therapeutic response to Lycopodium clavatum. A retrospective study.

Science.gov (United States)

Eizayaga, José Enrique; Pozzi, María Isabel; Canan, María Clara; Saravia, Laura

2016-02-01

Assessment of the likelihood ratio (LR) of symptoms has been proposed as a rational means for detecting indicators to homeopathic medicines. To investigate the prevalence and LR of symptoms commonly attributed to the homeopathic medicine Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc). Secondarily, to answer the question if experienced homeopaths could intuitively infer which the main symptoms of this medicine are. The presence of 35 selected symptoms, prescribed medicines and therapeutic response were assessed retrospectively. The symptoms' prevalence in the Lyc responding population and the LR of the symptoms compared to their prevalence in the remainder of the population were calculated. Two hundred and two Lyc and 550 non Lyc cases (total 752) were included for analysis. Twenty-two symptoms were confirmed as pertaining to Lyc's semiology (prevalence %; LR): contemptuous (3.3; 6.7), urinary stones history (2.7; 5.4), egotism (5.6; 3.6), dictatorial (33.3; 3.4), haughty (8.7; 3.3), sleeps on abdomen (3.3; 3.3), intolerance to clothing in abdomen (12.0; 3.1), reproaches (4.0; 3.0), helplessness (24.0; 2.7), fear of failure (10.7; 2.6), irritability on waking in the morning (16.7; 2.5), constipation alternating with diarrhea (8.7; 2.5), intolerant to contradiction (59.3; 2.3), want of self confidence (30.0; 2.4), abdominal distension after eating (23.3; 2.1); ailments from anticipation (32.0; 1.9), irritability before menses (23.3; 1.8), conscientious (26.0; 1.6), desire of sweets (52.0; 1.6), desire of chocolate (16.7; 1.6), lack of vital heat (41.3; 1.3), and flatterer (1.3; ∞). Surveyed homeopaths' intuitive inferences correlated well with symptoms' prevalence but not with their LR. Lycopodium's main symptoms are well known by homeopaths, but their knowledge correlates well with the symptoms' prevalence and not with their LR. Retrospective assessment of prevalence and LR of symptoms in good responders might be a means for better selection of symptoms for prospective studies

Increased of the hepatocytes and splenocytes apoptosis accompanies clinical improvement and higher survival in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and treated with highly diluted Lycopodium clavatum.

Science.gov (United States)

Falkowski-Temporini, Gislaine Janaina; Lopes, Carina Ribeiro; Massini, Paula Fernanda; Brustolin, Camila Fernanda; Ferraz, Fabiana Nabarro; Sandri, Patricia Flora; Hernandes, Luzmarina; Aleixo, Denise Lessa; Barion, Terezinha Fátima; Esper, Luiz Gilson; de Araújo, Silvana Marques

2017-09-01

Recent evidence includes apoptosis as a defense against Trypanosoma cruzi infection, which promotes an immune response in the host induced by T cells, type 1, 2 and 17. Currently, there is no medicine completely preventing the progression of this disease. We investigated the immunological and apoptotic effects, morbidity and survival of mice infected with T. cruzi and treated with dynamized homeopathic compounds 13c: Kalium causticum (GCaus), Conium maculatum, (GCon), Lycopodium clavatum (GLy) and 7% alcohol solution (control, vehicle compounds, GCI). There was significant difference in the increase of apoptosis in the treated groups, compared with GCI, which might indicate action of the compounds in these cells. Infected animals treated with Lycopodium clavatum presented better performance compared with other groups. GLy showed a higher amount of hepatocytes and splenocytes undergoing apoptosis, higher number of apoptotic bodies in the liver, predominance of Th1 response, increased TNF-α and decreased IL-6, higher survival, lower morbidity, higher water consumption, body temperature, tendency to higher feed intake and weight gain compared with GCI. Conium maculatum had worse results with increased Th2 response with increased IL-4, worsening of the infection with early mortality of the animals. Together, these data suggest that highly diluted medicines modulate the immune response and apoptosis, affecting the morbidity of animals infected with a highly virulent strain of T. cruzi, being able to minimize the course of infection, providing more alternative approaches in the treatment of Chagas disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of phosphate solubilizing Burkholderia spp. for successful colonization and growth promotion of Lycopodium cernuum L. (Lycopodiaceae) in lateritic belt of Birbhum district of West Bengal, India.

Science.gov (United States)

Ghosh, Ranjan; Barman, Soma; Mukherjee, Rajib; Mandal, Narayan C

2016-02-01

Profuse growth of Lycpodium cernuum L. was found in phosphate deficient red lateritic soil of West Bengal, India. Interaction of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) with Lycopodium rhizoids were described earlier but association of PGPR with their rhizoids were not studied. Three potent phosphate solubilizing bacterial strains (P4, P9 and P10) associated with L. cernuum rhizoids were isolated and identified by 16S rDNA homologies on Ez-Taxon database as Burkholderia tropica, Burkholderia unamae and Burkholderia cepacia respectively. Day wise kinetics of phosphate solubilization against Ca3(PO4)2 suggested P4 (580.56±13.38 μg ml(-1)) as maximum mineral phosphate solubilizer followed by P9 (517.12±17.15 μg ml(-1)) and P10 (485.18±14.23 μg ml(-1)) at 28 °C. Release of bound phosphates by isolated strains from ferric phosphate (FePO4), aluminum phosphate (AlPO4) and four different complex rock phosphates indicated their very good phosphate solubilizng efficacy. Nitrogen independent solubilizition also supports their nitrogen fixing capabilities. Inhibition of P solubilization by calcium salts and induction by EDTA suggested pH dependent chelation of metal cations by all of the isolates. Rhizoidal colonization potentials of Burkholderia spp. were confirmed by in planta experiment and also using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Increases of total phosphate content in Lycopodium plants upon soil treatment with these isolates were also recorded. In addition siderophore production on CAS agar medium, tryptophan dependent IAA production and antifungal activities against pathogenic fungi by rhizospheric isolates deep-rooted that they have definite role in nutrient mobilization for successful colonization of L. cernuum in nutrient deficient lateritic soil. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Structural analysis of a sulfated polysaccharidic fraction obtained from the coenocytic green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium

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José Ariévilo Gurgel Rodrigues

2014-04-01

Full Text Available Researches on structural chemistry of sulfated polysaccharides (SPs have been mainly focused on red and brown algae. Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium (Chlorophyta contains three SPs fractions (Cc-SP1, Cc-SP2 and Cc-SP3. Cc-SP1 and Cc-SP2 had anticoagulant (in vitro and anti- and prothrombotic, antinociceptive and/or anti-inflammatory (in vivo effects. However, their structural features have not yet been investigated. This study analyzed the chemical composition, elemental microanalysis and structural features by infrared (IR and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR spectroscopy of Cc-SPs. Fractionation of SPs by DEAE-cellulose yielded Cc-SP1, Cc-SP2 and CcSP3 containing differences among the relative proportions of sulfate (14.67-26.72%, total sugars (34.92-49.73% and uronic acid (7.15-7.22%. Carbon (21.76-29.62%, sulfate (2.16-4.55%, nitrogen (0.85-1.57% and hydrogen (4.57-5.86% contents were obtained using a CHN equipment. Data from IR indicated occurrence of sulfate ester, galactose-6-sulfate, uronic acid and glycoside linkages. For 1H NMR spectrum of the soluble Cc-SP1 fraction, it was mainly found β-galactopyranose residues and CH3 group. The results showed that Cc-SPs fractions have some structural features similar to others studied Caulerpaceae SPs.

‘Ekhaya: Human displacement and the yearning for familial homecoming. From Throne (Cathedra to Home (Oikos in a grassroots ecclesiology of place and space: Fides Quaerens Domum et Locum [Faith Seeking Home and Space

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Daniel J. Louw

2017-04-01

Full Text Available The classical definition of theology is ‘faith-seeking understanding’ (fides quaerens intellectum. The focus is on the understanding/interpretation of the object of Christian faith: God. There is another root for the quest for understanding, namely the praxis situation of faith. People live in particular historical contexts that have their own distinctive problems and possibilities; thus, the focus on place and space in a theology of home. A praxis approach is to learn life and the gospel from below, thus the emphasis on a grassroots ecclesiology that is structured like an oikos, a familial dwelling place. This understanding of the dynamics of the fellowship of believers as  oikodomein is captured by the Zulu notion for the yearning for home (home sickness: Ekhaya. It is argued that Ekhaya thinking is an alternative route for an operative ecclesiology that caters for the need of marginalised, oppressed, displaced and homeless people. Practical theology is thus described as fides  quaerens domum et locum [faith-seeking home and place], namely to inhabit. An Ekhaya approach to practical theological ecclesiology is about critical reflection through the eyes of those who are weak and who don’t count for much by the standards of successful people and institutions.

A macroecological characterization of infectious disease transmission:

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Andersen-Ranberg, Emilie Ulrikka

2017-01-01

Presentation: Per M. Jensen*, Miguel L. Grilo, Christian B. Pipper, Emilie U. Andersen-Ranberg. A macroecological characterization of infectious disease transmission: the cases of Mycobacterium and Leptospira sp. The 2017 OIKOS meeting, 10th -11th March 2017, Copenhagen, Denmark......Presentation: Per M. Jensen*, Miguel L. Grilo, Christian B. Pipper, Emilie U. Andersen-Ranberg. A macroecological characterization of infectious disease transmission: the cases of Mycobacterium and Leptospira sp. The 2017 OIKOS meeting, 10th -11th March 2017, Copenhagen, Denmark...

Software libero per lo sviluppo in Africa orientale

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andrea Mandrici

2010-03-01

Full Text Available Free Software for development in East Africa Since 1999 Istituto Oikos (Italian NGO in partnership with Oikos East Africa (Tanzanian NGO are carrying out integrated development projects in collaboration with local Government Authorities at Regional, District, and Village level. With the aim to ensure sustainability to the interventions addressed to strengthen the governance capacities and the use of IT technologies in the rural areas, the projects have promoted the use of Free Software tools such as Ubuntu and Debian Linux as OS; Qgis and GRASS as G.I.S.; SQLite/Spatialite and PostgreSQL/PostGIS as Spatial-enabled DBRMS, OpenOffice as productivity suite.

Software libero per lo sviluppo in Africa orientale

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andrea Mandrici

2010-03-01

Full Text Available Free Software for development in East Africa  Since 1999 Istituto Oikos (Italian NGO in partnership with Oikos East Africa (Tanzanian NGO are carrying out integrated development projects in collaboration with local Government Authorities at Regional, District, and Village level. With the aim to ensure sustainability to the interventions addressed to strengthen the governance capacities and the use of IT technologies in the rural areas, the projects have promoted the use of Free Software tools such as Ubuntu and Debian Linux as OS; Qgis and GRASS as G.I.S.; SQLite/Spatialite and PostgreSQL/PostGIS as Spatial-enabled DBRMS, OpenOffice as productivity suite.

Ekhaya : Human displacement and the yearning for familial ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Ekhaya : Human displacement and the yearning for familial homecoming. From Throne (Cathedra) to Home ( Oikos ) in a grassroots ecclesiology of place and space: Fides Quaerens Domum et Locum [Faith Seeking Home and Space

Niche construction in evolutionary theory: the construction of an ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

MANAN GUPTA

2017-07-06

Jul 6, 2017 ... 81, SAS Nagar, P.O. Manauli, Mohali, Punjab 140 306, India .... living or dying, affects the environment, NC would appear .... ing from the deterioration of the food environment in a ...... Oikos 119, 210–218. .... Health Technol.

131-7 Dec 2009.indd [FINAL VERSION].indd

African Journals Online (AJOL)

2009-12-07

Dec 7, 2009 ... This interpretation of love that Jesus offers in his story gives ... philosophy, shed light on a possible new reading of sacred texts in which the question of identity ... neither can a home (oikos) offer hospitality to all as that would.

The stability of ecosystems: A brief overview of the paradox of ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

PRAKASH

back to the pioneer ing work of Lotka (1925). Substantial ... A number of theoretical and empiri cal studies have been done to ..... the balance of light and nutrients; Proc. Nat. ... refuge use and life history changes in Daphnia; Oikos 99. 386–396.

Antiprotozoal activity and cytotoxicity of Lycopodium clavatum and Lycopodium complanatum subsp. chamaecyparissus extracts

OpenAIRE

Orhan, Ilkay Erdogan; Sener, Bilge; Kaiser, Marcel; Brun, Reto; Tasdemir, Deniz

2013-01-01

Objective: the aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity, the total phenol and flavonoid content and the possible protective effects of commercial propolis on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits. Methods: the in vitro antioxidant activity was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assay, the total phenols content was measured by folin–ciocalteau assay, the flavonoids content by the alcl3 col...

aboagye et al.2

African Journals Online (AJOL)

PUBLICATIONS1

14 Aboagye et al. wide variety of birds, including chickens, by piercing the quills of feathers and gnawing the epidermis. In doing so, they can spread disease and lower .... evolution. Oikos, 97: 223-228. Nordenfors, H. and Chirico, J. (2001). Evalua- tion of a sampling trap for Dermanyssus gal- linae (Acari: Dermanyssidae).

1754-IJBCS-Article-Mhamed Khaffou

African Journals Online (AJOL)

hp

7 janv. 2017 ... the Baltic Sea. Oikos, 81(2): 323-328. IUCN. 2012. Red List of Threatened Species. (ver. 2012.1). http://www.iucnredlist.org. Johnsgard PA.1978. Ducks Greese and Swans of the World. University of Nebraska. Press: Lincoln and London. Khaffou M, Chahlaoui A. 2012. La. Reproduction du Tadorne ...

Today's School Security

Science.gov (United States)

Kennedy, Mike

2012-01-01

Outbreaks of violence at education institutions typically do not rise to the horrific levels of Virginia Tech, Columbine High School, or Oikos University. But incidents that threaten school security--bullying, hazing, online harassment--take place in every month of the year and may occur in any classroom or campus from coast to coast. Schools and…

Prevalence of pentastomids in Mabuya striata (Scincidae) from Dar ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

References. BROWN, A.C. & JARMAN, N. 1978. Coastal marine habitats. In: Biogeography and ecology of Southern Africa. (ed.) Werger, M.J.A.. Junk, The Hague. DAHL, E. 1952. Some aspects of the ecology and zonation of the fauna on sandy beaches. Oikos 4: 1-27. DAY, J.H. 1969. A guide to marine life on South African ...

Ionic liquid marbles.

Science.gov (United States)

Gao, Lichao; McCarthy, Thomas J

2007-10-09

Liquid marbles have been reported during this decade and have been argued to be potentially useful for microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip applications. The liquid marbles described to date have been composed of either water or glycerol as the liquid and hydrophobized lycopodium or silica as the stabilizing particles. Both of these components are potentially reactive and do not permit the use of organic chemistry; the liquids are volatile. We report the use of perfluoroalkyl particles (oligomeric (OTFE) and polymeric (PTFE) tetrafluoroethylene, which are unreactive) to support/stabilize a range of ionic liquid marbles. Ionic liquids are not volatile and have been demonstrated to be versatile solvents for chemical transformations. Water marbles prepared with OTFE are much more robust than those prepared with hydrophobized lycopodium or silica.

Final Remedial Investigation Report Area of Contamination (AOC) 57. Volume I. Text Sections 1 Through 10, Figures and Tables

Science.gov (United States)

2000-06-01

choke cherry ( Prunus virginiana ), maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina), and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Herbaceous species observed in this habitat...portion of this habitat include sheep laurel, witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana ), nannyberry, choke cherry, clubmoss (Lycopodium carolinianum), and ferns

Ecological periodic tables: in principle and practice (in OIKOS)

Science.gov (United States)

“Science is organized knowledge.” Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Ecological periodic tables are an information organizing system with categorical habitat types as elements and predictably recurring (periodic) properties of a target biotic community, such as its relative species rich...

Uncanny Robots and Affective Labour in the Oikonomia

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Angela Mitropoulos

2011-11-01

Full Text Available This essay offers a reading of current Australian politics by way of the concepts of the uncanny and the oikos, suggesting that both commentaries on the recent (2010 Federal election and the politics that were articulated around it (as well as of the present conjuncture might be best understood as that of an oikonomics (the law of the household – and the uncanniness that, in its discrepancy with lived realities, it elicits.

Family (oikos Evangelism for reaching forward caste Hindus in India

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DW Fowlkes

2006-09-01

Full Text Available This article acknowledges the need for Church Planting Movements among the unreached peoples of India. Of particular concern to this study is the application of Church Planting Movement strategy to forward caste Hindus of India. It is shown that evangelizing households (family or �oikos� evangelism is a New Testament strategy and the most appropriate strategy for reaching forward caste Hindus. It is concluded that Christian disciples remaining within Hindu culture and familial systems hold the potential for the most indigenous approach to evangelizing forward caste Hindus.

Source Term Model for Fine Particle Resuspension from Indoor Surfaces

Science.gov (United States)

2008-02-01

spreading airborne radioactivity from nuclear weapon test sites or from possible accidental release from the nuclear industry. Other studies in...agents, to design countermeasure devices, and to plan decontamination schemes, it is important to under- stand how CB agents migrate through a building...Particle Stainless steel (SS) spheres, glass spheres, Lycopodium spores Silica spheres dp (μm) SS: 70, glass: 72, 32, Lyco- podium: 30 4.1, 9.6

Evaluation of spray and point inoculation methods for the phenotyping of Puccinia striiformis on wheat

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, Chris Khadgi; Thach, Tine; Hovmøller, Mogens Støvring

2016-01-01

flexible application procedure for spray inoculation and it gave highly reproducible results for virulence phenotyping. Six point inoculation methods were compared to find the most suitable for assessment of pathogen aggressiveness. The use of Novec 7100 and dry dilution with Lycopodium spores gave...... for the assessment of quantitative epidemiological parameters. New protocols for spray and point inoculation of P. striiformis on wheat are presented, along with the prospect for applying these in rust research and resistance breeding activities....

The use of specialisation indices to predict vulnerability of coral-feeding butterflyfishes to environmental change

KAUST Repository

Lawton, Rebecca J.

2011-07-14

dietary specialisation will be provided by indices which incorporate resource availability measures, as well as assessing responses of species to changes in resource availability. © 2011 The Authors. Oikos © 2012 Nordic Society Oikos.

Mixing fuel particles for space combustion research using acoustics

Science.gov (United States)

Burns, Robert J.; Johnson, Jerome A.; Klimek, Robert B.

1988-01-01

Part of the microgravity science to be conducted aboard the Shuttle (STS) involves combustion using solids, particles, and liquid droplets. The central experimental facts needed for characterization of premixed quiescent particle cloud flames cannot be adequately established by normal gravity studies alone. The experimental results to date of acoustically mixing a prototypical particulate, lycopodium, in a 5 cm diameter by 75 cm long flame tube aboard a Learjet aircraft flying a 20-sec low-gravity trajectory are described. Photographic and light detector instrumentation combine to measure and characterize particle cloud uniformity.

Resiliens mellem individ og livsform

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Munk, Martin David

2016-01-01

and production, it is suggested to apply a household/family model. The household/family model outlines that positive social reproduction and production, including real and productive values, potentially creates an essential bond between viable household, family, work, socialisation, and network based communities......, resulting in socially, economically, mentally, and ecologically sustainable survival of families and livelihoods over generations. Furthermore, it is stressed that serious fallacies will occur if resilience is solely understood and explained in terms of individual resources and characteristics. Nonetheless......In this paper it is demonstrated how the understanding of resilience is enhanced and shaped when using the concepts of oikos (the Greek word for household) and life-modes. Instead of applying a rather problematic welfare capitalism model, which partially provides a negative social reproduction...

Global transcriptome analysis of Huperzia serrata and identification of critical genes involved in the biosynthesis of huperzine A.

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Mengquan; You, Wenjing; Wu, Shiwen; Fan, Zhen; Xu, Baofu; Zhu, Mulan; Li, Xuan; Xiao, Youli

2017-03-22

Huperzia serrata (H. serrata) is an economically important traditional Chinese herb with the notably medicinal value. As a representative member of the Lycopodiaceae family, the H. serrata produces various types of effectively bioactive lycopodium alkaloids, especially the huperzine A (HupA) which is a promising drug for Alzheimer's disease. Despite their medicinal importance, the public genomic and transcriptomic resources are very limited and the biosynthesis of HupA is largely unknown. Previous studies on comparison of 454-ESTs from H. serrata and Phlegmariurus carinatus predicted putative genes involved in lycopodium alkaloid biosynthesis, such as lysine decarboxylase like (LDC-like) protein and some CYP450s. However, these gene annotations were not carried out with further biochemical characterizations. To understand the biosynthesis of HupA and its regulation in H. serrata, a global transcriptome analysis on H. Serrata tissues was performed. In this study, we used the Illumina Highseq4000 platform to generate a substantial RNA sequencing dataset of H. serrata. A total of 40.1 Gb clean data was generated from four different tissues: root, stem, leaf, and sporangia and assembled into 181,141 unigenes. The total length, average length, N50 and GC content of unigenes were 219,520,611 bp, 1,211 bp, 2,488 bp and 42.51%, respectively. Among them, 105,516 unigenes (58.25%) were annotated by seven public databases (NR, NT, Swiss-Prot, KEGG, COG, Interpro, GO), and 54 GO terms and 3,391 transcription factors (TFs) were functionally classified, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that 72,230 unigenes were classified into 21 functional pathways. Three types of candidate enzymes, LDC, CAO and PKS, responsible for the biosynthesis of precursors of HupA were all identified in the transcripts. Four hundred and fifty-seven CYP450 genes in H. serrata were also analyzed and compared with tissue-specific gene expression. Moreover, two key classes of CYP450 genes BBE

Neglect of a Neglected Disease in Italy: The Challenge of Access-to-Care for Chagas Disease in Bergamo Area.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ernestina Carla Repetto

2015-09-01

Full Text Available Chagas disease (CD represents a growing problem in Europe; Italy is one of the most affected countries but there is no national framework for CD and access-to-care is challenging. In 2012 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF started an intervention in Bergamo province, where many people of Latin American origin (PLAO are resident. A new model-of-care for CD, initiated by Centre for Tropical Diseases of Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar (CTD, the NGO OIKOS and the Bolivian community since 2009 in the same area, was endorsed. Hereby, we aim to describe the prevalence of CD and the treatment management outcomes among PLAO screened from 1st June 2012 to 30th June 2013.Retrospective cohort study using routine program data. Screening sessions were done in Bergamo at OIKOS outpatient service and serological confirmation, staging and treatment for CD was offered at the CTD. MSF provided health education on CD, awareness generation prior to screening days, pre-test and post-test counselling through cultural mediators of Latin American origin.Of 1305 PLAO screened, 223(17% had CD. Among 210 patients eligible for treatment, 102(49% were lost-to-follow-up before treatment. The median delay from diagnosis to treatment was 4 months (range 0.7-16.6 months. Among 108 started on treatment, 63(58% completed treatment, 36(33% interrupted treatment, (33 for drug side-effects, two for patients decision and one due to pregnancy, 6(6% were lost-to-follow-up and 3(3% were on treatment at study censuring.In this first study focusing on process of care for CD in Italy, less than 30% of patients completed treatment with drop-outs along the cascade of care. There is an urgent need to involve affected communities and local regional health authorities to take part to this model-of-care, adapting it to the local epidemiology. The Italian health authorities should take steps in advocating for a change in the current paradigm.

Structural modeling of sustainable housing “Oikos tuchineros of cow dung, bahareque and wood”

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

José Rodrigo Hernández- Ávila

2017-12-01

Full Text Available The indigenous constructions of the Municipality of Tuchín, have been made over time in an artisan way, with materials from the area, which possibly do not meet the normative requirements. In this municipality there are winds that cause the fall of the structure, low resistance of its structural elements, homes not suitable for living and high insecurity conditions. This Municipality was chosen like pilot and at the moment it is recognized internationally for its constructions with techniques and ancestral practices, in addition, of its excellent crafts like the “vueltiao” hat; all this contributes to a structural modeling of this house in order to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants, for this it is desired to carry out a structural modeling with a construction system similar to the current one with suitable equipment and of the region , generating homes that comply with the NSR-10 resistant earthquake, technical specifications, bioclimatic considerations, optimization of the materials and the resources used, making it efficient during its useful life so as to guarantee the structural and cultural sustainability of housing.

Topofobia e topofilia em “A Terra”, de “Os Sertões”: uma análise ecocrítica do espaço sertanejo euclidiano / Topophobia and topophilia in”The Land” of “Os Sertões”: Analysis ecocriticism of space Sertanejo Euclideano

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Edilane Ferreira da Silva

2014-08-01

Full Text Available In 1902, the journalist Euclides da Cunha published the work Os Sertões which, starting Pre-Brazilian Modernism and enhance Bahia´s backlands from the Canudos War. We analyze the chapter “The Earth” of the Euclidean book, in order to examine the discourse method analysis and the ecocriticism perspective - which concerns the interactions between literature and ecology - the author approaches between the backwoods and wilderness, and his own feelings regarding this space, considering topophobia concepts - aversion to physical environment and topophilia - familiarity or attachment, proposed by the chinese geographer Yi-Fu Tuan and related humanistic geography. Thus, the present discourse in the narrative demonstrate predominance of dislikes and horror feelings for the caatinga, regarding the subjectivity of the writer and oikos referenced by him.

Oil shales of the Lothians, Part III, the chemistry of the oil shales

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Steuart, D R

1912-01-01

Tests were performed whereby fuller's earth and lycopodium spore dust were heated to retorting temperatures and the crude oil examined. Oil shale may be composed of the following: Vegetable matter that has been macerated and preserved by combining with salts, spores, and other such material that has been protected from decay, and a proportion of animal matter. Generally, oil shale may be considered as a torbanite that contains a large proportion of inorganic matter, or it may be a torbanite that has deteriorated with age. This supposition is based on the fact that oil yield decreases and the yield of ammonia increases with age.

Oil shales of the Lothians. Part III. Chemistry of the oil shales

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Steuart, D R

1912-01-01

Tests were performed whereby fuller's earth and lycopodium spore dust were heated to retorting temperatures and the crude oil examined. Oil shale may be composed of the following: vegetable matter that has been macerated and preserved by combining with salts, spores, and other such material that has been protected from decay, and a proportion of animal matter. Generally, oil shale may be considered as a torbanite that contains a large proportion of inorganic matter, or it may be a torbanite that has deteriorated with age. This supposition is based on the fact that oil yield decreases and the yield of ammonia increases with age.

A multicentric observational study to evaluate the role of homoeopathic therapy in vitiligo

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P S Chakraborty

2015-01-01

Results: The changes in the mean VSS at intervals of every 6 months was found to be statistically significant. Homoeopathic treatment was found to be useful in relieving vitiligo in varying degrees in 126 patients, out of which 4 (2.94% cases showed marked improvement, 15 (11.03% cases showed moderate improvement, 77 (56.62% cases showed mild improvement, and 30 patients although improved, fell in the category of not significant improvement group (below 25% improvement. Ten homoeopathic medicines were found useful in the study of which Sulphur (n = 27, Arsenicum album (n = 19, Phosphorus (n = 19, and Lycopodium clavatum (n = 10 were the most commonly indicated and useful medicines.

Electrostatic Charge on Flying Hummingbirds and Its Potential Role in Pollination.

Science.gov (United States)

Badger, Marc; Ortega-Jimenez, Victor Manuel; von Rabenau, Lisa; Smiley, Ashley; Dudley, Robert

2015-01-01

Electrostatic phenomena are known to enhance both wind- and insect-mediated pollination, but have not yet been described for nectar-feeding vertebrates. Here we demonstrate that wild Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) can carry positive charges up to 800 pC while in flight (mean ± s.d.: 66 ± 129 pC). Triboelectric charging obtained by rubbing an isolated hummingbird wing against various plant structures generated charges up to 700 pC. A metal hummingbird model charged to 400 pC induced bending of floral stamens in four plants (Nicotiana, Hemerocallis, Penstemon, and Aloe spp.), and also attracted falling Lycopodium spores at distances of < 2 mm. Electrostatic forces may therefore influence pollen transfer onto nectar-feeding birds.

THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SOME EXTRACTS OF FERN GAMETOPHYTES

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Ionica Deliu

2013-12-01

Full Text Available The nature freely offers us many resources for health and beauty. The ferns and their therapeutic properties are less exploit in Romania, except Lycopodium clavatum and Equisetum arvense. Some of the fern properties were demonstrated, like antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antihelmintic properties. Plants are reasonable alternative to synthetic drugs, avoid the side effect and high cost of synthetic drugs production. Also, the drug resistance bacteria can be controlled using plant derived remedies. In this study the antimicrobial effect of methanolic and ethanolic extracts from three fern species were tested. The extracts were gained from gametophytic stage of ferns obtained in vitro. The most obvious effect was observed for Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum extract. The total polyphenols and flavonoids content were established, too.

Electrostatic Charge on Flying Hummingbirds and Its Potential Role in Pollination.

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Marc Badger

Full Text Available Electrostatic phenomena are known to enhance both wind- and insect-mediated pollination, but have not yet been described for nectar-feeding vertebrates. Here we demonstrate that wild Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna can carry positive charges up to 800 pC while in flight (mean ± s.d.: 66 ± 129 pC. Triboelectric charging obtained by rubbing an isolated hummingbird wing against various plant structures generated charges up to 700 pC. A metal hummingbird model charged to 400 pC induced bending of floral stamens in four plants (Nicotiana, Hemerocallis, Penstemon, and Aloe spp., and also attracted falling Lycopodium spores at distances of < 2 mm. Electrostatic forces may therefore influence pollen transfer onto nectar-feeding birds.

La cultura del consumismo: de la oikos aristotélica al homo oeconomicus de la posmodernidad.

OpenAIRE

Vázquez Larrea, Iñaki

2010-01-01

El presente ensayo se presenta como un breve recorrido por la Historia del pensamiento Económico. Desde el clásico“homo oeconómicus” aristotélico hasta la génesis del ethos capitalista, que según Max Weber definiría a la Modernidad. Ello nos serviría como punto de partida para reflexionar sobre la naturaleza de la sociedad postindustrial de consumo, y, a su vez, sobre lo que la supuesta crisis del espirítu capitalista weberiano implica en la definición sociológica del “homo oeconómicus” ...

Botanical insecticides in controlling Kelly's citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on organic grapefruits.

Science.gov (United States)

Vassiliou, V A

2011-12-01

Kelly's citrus thrips, Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was first recorded in Cyprus in 1996 and became an economic citrus pest. In Cyprus, Kelly's citrus thrips larvae cause feeding damage mainly on immature lemon and grapefruit fruits. Use of botanical insecticides is considered an alternative tool compared with synthetic chemicals, in offering solutions for healthy and sustainable citrus production. During 2008-2010, the efficacy of the botanical insecticides azadirachtin (Neemex 0.3%W/W and Oikos 10 EC), garlic extract (Alsa), and pyrethrins (Vioryl 5%SC) was evaluated in field trials against Kelly's citrus thrips larval stage I and II aiming at controlling the pest's population and damage to organic grapefruit fruits. In each of the trial years treatments with pyrethrins and azadirachtin (Neemex 0.3%W/W) were the most effective against Kelly's citrus thrips compared with the untreated control (for 2008: P extract showed the lowest effect from all the botanicals used compared with the untreated control.

“Natural Objects in Youssef Ziedan’s Azazeel: An Environmental Perspective”

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Ahmad M.S. Abu Baker

2016-03-01

Full Text Available This article provides a new reading of Youssef Ziedan’s Azazeel by examining natural objects (trees, seas, rocks, predators, birds, and landscapes respectively and applying ecocriticism and Freudian as well as Jungian insights. The study of natural objects yields interesting results: For instance, in Azazeel, trees symbolize peace, security, natural home [oikos], surrogate good mother, and immortality. The sea, in contrast, pretends to be a good mother generating a sense of security and tranquility but is a terrible mother, deceptive, cunning, and fatal. The article explains the murders of Hypatia and Octavia, the actions of Cyril and his followers, Hypa’s reflections and actions from an environmental/ecocritical perspective. The final analysis reveals the way culture tries to separate the human from the non-human although they are supposed to be part of one harmonious ecological system and the need to stop seeing nature as dead/passive if we want to save planet earth from an environmental apocalyptic catastrophe.

A common body of care: the ethics and politics of teamwork in the operating theater are inseparable.

Science.gov (United States)

Bleakley, Alan

2006-06-01

In the operating theater, the micro-politics of practice, such as interpersonal communications, are central to patient safety and are intimately tied with values as well as knowledge and skills. Team communication is a shared and distributed work activity. In an era of "professionalism," that must now encompass "interprofessionalism," a virtue ethics framework is often invoked to inform practice choices, with reference to phronesis or practical wisdom. However, such a framework is typically cast in individualistic terms as a character trait, rather than in terms of a distributed quality that may be constituted through intentionally collaborative practice, or is an emerging property of a complex, adaptive system. A virtue ethics approach is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a collaborative bioethics within the operating theater. There is also an ecological imperative-the patient's entry into the household (oikos) of the operating theater invokes the need for "hospitality" as a form of ethical practice.

Statistical method for the determination of the ignition energy of dust cloud - experimental validation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bernard, S.; Lebecki, K.; Gillard, P.; Youinou, L.; Baudry, G. [University of Orleans, Bourges (France)

2010-05-15

Powdery materials such as metallic or polymer powders play a considerable role in many industrial processes. Their use requires the introduction of preventive safeguard to control the plants safety. The mitigation of an explosion hazard, according to the ATEX 137 Directive (1999/92/EU), requires the assessment of the dust ignition sensitivity. PRISME laboratory (University of Orleans) has developed an experimental set-up and methodology, using the Langlie test, for the quick determination of the explosion sensitivity of dusts. This method requires only 20 shots and ignition sensitivity is evaluated through the E{sub 50} (energy with an ignition probability of 0.5) A Hartmann tube, with a volume of 1.3l, was designed and built. Many results on the energy ignition thresholds of partially oxidised aluminium were obtained using this experimental device and compared to literature. E-50 evolution is the same as MIE but their respective values are different and MIE is lower than E{sub 50} however the link between E{sub 50} and MIE has not been elucidated In this paper, the Langlie method is explained in detail for the determination of the parameters (mean value E{sub 50} and standard deviation {sigma}) of the associated statistic law. The ignition probability versus applied energy is firstly measured for Lycopodium in order to validate the method A comparison between the normal and the lognormal law was achieved and the best fit was obtained with the lognormal law. In a second part, the Langlie test was performed on different dusts such as aluminium, cornstarch, lycopodium, coal, and PA12 in order to determine E-50 and {sigma} for each dust. The energies E{sub 05} and E{sub 10} corresponding respectively to an ignition probability of 0.05 and 0.1 are determined with the lognormal law and compared to MIE find in literature. E{sub 05} and E{sub 10} values of ignition energy were found to be very close and were in good agreement with MIE in the literature.

Esporogénesis, esporodermo y ornamentaciónde esporas maduras en Lycopodiaceae

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Edgar Javier Rincón Baron

2014-09-01

Full Text Available Estudios sobre aspectos reproductivos, morfología y ultraestructura de las esporas de Lycopodiaceae no son abundantes en la literatura científica y constituyen información esencial para apoyar las relaciones taxonómicas y sistemáticas en el grupo. Con el fin de completar la información existente, añadiendo contribuciones nuevas y más amplias sobre estos temas, se realizó un análisis comparado de la ultraestructura de la esporogénesis, con énfasis en aspectos citológicos que tienen que ver con la formación de la cubierta de los esporocitos, el tapete, las meiosis monoplastidial y poliplastidial, la ontogenia del esporodermo y la ornamentación de las esporas maduras en 43 táxones de ocho géneros de Lycopodiaceae: Austrolycopodium, Diphasium, Diphasiastrum, Huperzia (incluyendo Phlegmariurus, Lycopodium, Lycopodiella, Palhinhaea y Pseudolycopodiella que crecen en los Andes de Colombia y el Neotrópico. Para estudios con microscopía electrónica de trasmisión (MET las muestras se recolectaron en los departamentos de Cauca y Valle del Cauca, mientras que la mayoría de las muestras para microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB provienen de material herborizado de colecciones. Para la observación de las muestras con MET y MEB se utilizaron protocolos estándar para el procesamiento de esporas. La cubierta de los esporocitos está formada por pared primaria; los esporocitos invierten gran parte de su actividad metabólica en la producción de esa cubierta, que es mantenida hasta la liberación de las esporas y tiene funciones de protección de las células que harán meiosis. La abundancia de dictiosomas en los esporocitos se relacionó con la formación y desarrollo de la cubierta. Además de la actividad de los microtúbulos, la presencia de sinuosidades y plegamientos asociados con material electro denso en la membrana de los esporocitos determinarían tempranamente los patrones de ornamentación de las esporas. La condici

Los trabajos femeninos en el "oikos" de la Grecia Clásica: la madre, la cuidadora, la administradora

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Verónica Fernández García

2009-12-01

seven, caring the sick people, attending the dead people, weaving and spinning and managing the house and houseworkers. Thus they spent all the time fulfilling jobs that depended on men, but which were much more important than greek men ever thought

The use of lycopodium and funaria as bio indicators for some trace elements and radionuclides

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Al-Masri, M. S.; Mamish, M. S.; Al-Shmali, K.; Abdul Haleem, M.

2004-02-01

Two plants (L. cernuum and F. hygromatrica) distributed in some Syrian coastal mountains towns and Al G aab have been studied for their accumulating properties. Chemical and radiochemical analysis results have shown that these plants contain high levels of 210 Pb, 210 Po, 137 Cs and trace elements (Cu, Zn and Pb). The highest 210 Pb, 210 Po and 137 Cs concentrations were found to be 1450, 1322 and 110 BqKg -1 .dry.wt in L. Cernuum respectively, while F. Hygromatrica was found to have much higher values where 210 Pb and 210 Po concentrations have reached 2392 and 2119 Bq.Kg -1 dry.wt respectively. This indicates that these plants have the ability to accumulate these elements from the surrounding atmosphere. In addition, lead concentration in L. Cernuum varies between 5 ppm and 86.6 ppm while F. Hygromatrica samples were found to contain around 58 ppm. Moreover, analysis results of L. Cernuum samples distributed at four locations in Damascus city and its suburb have indicated the difficulties of using this plant to determine the trace element fallout. (author)

Green Route for Efficient Synthesis of Novel Amino Acid Schiff Bases as Potent Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effects

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Harshita Sachdeva

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Green chemical one-pot multicomponent condensation reaction of substituted 1H-indole-2,3-diones (1, various amino acids (2, and thiosemicarbazide (3 is found to be catalyzed by lemon juice as natural acid using water as a green solvent to give the corresponding Schiff bases (4 in good to excellent yields. This method is experimentally simple, clean, high yielding, and green, with reduced reaction times. The product is purified by simple filtration followed by washing with water and drying process. The synthesized compounds are characterized by FT-IR, 13CNMR, and 1HNMR spectroscopy and are screened for their antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria brassicicola, Chaetomium orium, and Lycopodium sp. and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus licheniformis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Micrococcus luteus, and Gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Compounds have also been evaluated for cytotoxic effects against human colon cancer cell line Colo205.

An evidence-based case of acoustic/vestibular schwannoma

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Girish Gupta

2015-01-01

Full Text Available A vestibular schwannoma, often called an acoustic neuroma/schwannoma, is a benign primary intracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve (8 th cranial nerve. This tumor arises from the Schwann cells responsible for the myelin sheath that helps keep peripheral nerves insulated. [1] Approximately, 3000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States with a prevalence of about 1 in 100,000 worldwide. It comprises 5-10% of all intracranial neoplasms in adults. Incidence peaks in the fifth and sixth decades and both sexes are affected equally. Studies in Denmark published in 2004 show the incidence of 17.4/million. Most acoustic neuromas are diagnosed in patients between the ages of 30 and 60, and men and women appear to be affected equally. [2] The case illustrated here is a rare one of acoustic/vestibular schwannoma a surgical conditions, treated with Lycopodium, which produced improvement on both subjective and objective parameters.

Highly diluted medication reduces tissue parasitism and inflammation in mice infected by Trypanosoma cruzi.

Science.gov (United States)

Lopes, Carina Ribeiro; Falkowski, Gislaine Janaina Sanchez; Brustolin, Camila Fernanda; Massini, Paula Fernanda; Ferreira, Érika Cristina; Moreira, Neide Martins; Aleixo, Denise Lessa; Kaneshima, Edilson Nobuyoshi; de Araújo, Silvana Marques

2016-05-01

To evaluate the effects of Kalium causticum, Conium maculatum, and Lycopodium clavatum 13cH in mice infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. In a blind, controlled, randomized study, 102 male Swiss mice, 8 weeks old, were inoculated with 1400 trypomastigotes of the Y strain of T. cruzi and distributed into the following groups: CI (treated with 7% hydroalcoholic solution), Ca (treated with Kalium causticum 13cH), Co (treated with Conium maculatum 13cH), and Ly (treated with Lycopodium clavatum 13cH). The treatments were performed 48 h before and 48, 96, and 144 h after infection. The medication was repertorized and prepared in 13cH, according to Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. The following parameters were evaluated: infectivity, prepatent period, parasitemia peak, total parasitemia, tissue tropism, inflammatory infiltrate, and survival. Statistical analysis was conduced considering 5% of significance. The prepatent period was greater in the Ly group than in the CI group (p = 0.02). The number of trypomastigotes on the 8th day after infection was lower in the Ca group than in the CI group (p < 0.05). Total parasitemia was significantly lower in the Ca, Co, and Ly groups than in the CI group. On the 12th day after infection, the Ca, Co, and Ly groups had fewer nests and amastigotes/nest in the heart than the CI group (p < 0.05). Decreases in the number of nests and amastigotes in the intestine were observed in the Ly group compared with the CI group (p < 0.05). In the liver (day 12), Ly significantly prevented the formation of inflammatory foci compared with the other groups. In skeletal muscle, Co and Ly decreased the formation of inflammatory foci compared with CI (p < 0.05). Ly afforded greater animal survival compared with CI, Ca, and Co (p < 0.05). The animals in the Co group died prematurely compared with the CI group (p = 0.03). Ly with 13cH potency had significantly more benefits in the treatment of mice infected with T. cruzi, reducing the number

Extraction and anticoagulant activity of sulfated polysaccharides from Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium (Vahl C. Agardh (Chlorophyceae = Extração e atividade anticoagulante dos polissacarídeos sulfatados da clorofícea Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium (Vahl C. Agardh = Extração e atividade anticoagulante dos polissacarídeos sulfatados da clorofícea Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium (Vahl C. Agardh.

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José Ariévilo Gurgel Rodrigues

2011-04-01

Full Text Available The reportedly low standard quality of heparin (HEP for use in cardiac surgeries has led to concern in the Brazilian and international markets. Sulfated polysaccharides (SPs from seaweeds have been regarded as promising substitutes for HEP. The aim of this study was to sequentially extract total SPs (TSPs from Caulerpa cupressoides (Chlorophyceae with papain in 100 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.0 containing 5 mM cysteine and 5 mM EDTA, followed byfractionation by ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-cellulose, and then evaluate the anticoagulant potential of SP fractions by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT using normal human plasma and compare it to standard HEP (193 IU mg-1. The obtained fractions were chemically characterized by chemical composition and agarose gel electrophoresis. The yield was 4.61%, and three fractions of SP (F I, F II and F III eluted with 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 M of NaCl,respectively, were observed on chromatography profiles; however, differences in charge densities patterns and degree of resolution among them were revealed by electrophoresis. SPs were capable of modifying APTT only in fractions eluted with 0.75 M of NaCl, whose activities were 23.37 and 25.76 IU mg-1, respectively, and the charge density was prerequisite to activity. Therefore, C. cupressoides is a source of SPs possessing low anticoagulant potential compared to HEP.O baixo padrão de qualidade outrora declarado da heparina (HEP para o uso em cirurgias cardíacas tem levado preocupação nos mercados nacional e internacional. Os polissacarídeos sulfatados (PSs de algasmarinhas têm sido considerados como promissores substitutos para HEP. Objetivou-se a extrair sequencialmente PSs totais (PSTs da clorofícea Caulerpa cupressoides com papaína em tampão acetato de sódio 100 mM (pH 5,0 contendo cisteína 5 mM e EDTA 5 mM, fracionar por cromatografia de troca iônica (DEAE-celulose e avaliar o potencial anticoagulante das frações de PS por meio do tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada (TTPA, utilizando plasma humano normal e comparando-se à HEP padrão (193 IU mg-1. As frações obtidas foram caracterizadas quimicamente em composição química e por eletroforese em gel de agarose. O rendimento de PSTs foi 4,61% e os perfis cromatográficos, em DEAE-celulose, indicaram a separação de três frações de PS (F I; F II e F III eluídas nas concentrações 0,50; 0,75 e 1,00 M de NaCl, respectivamente, revelando, por eletroforese, diferenças em termos de densidade de cargas e graude resolução. Os PSs foram capazes de modificar o TTPA somente nas frações eluídas com 0,75 M de NaCl, cujas atividades foram 23,37 e 25,76 IU mg-1, respectivamente, quando a densidade de cargas foi pré-requisito para atividade. Portanto, C. cupressoides é uma fonte de PSs com baixos potenciais anticoagulantes comparados à HEP.

Reducing adhesion and agglomeration within a cloud of combustible particles

Science.gov (United States)

Ross, Howard D.

1988-01-01

The study of combustible particle clouds inside flame tubes is of fundamental scientific interest as well as a practical concern. Only the suspended concentration is important to the combustion process, so that assurances must be provided that a minimum of particles adheres to the tube wall. This paper demonstrates experimentally the ability to minimize adhesion and agglomeration of acoustically-mixed lycopodium particles within a 5-cm diameter lexan flame tube. The area density of particles (ADP) adhering to the wall of bare lexan tubes was measured at greater than 100 particles/sq mm. The nature of adhesion was found to be clearly electrostatic, with the ADP level aggravated by increased mixing time, vigor, and the concentration of particles. Increases in the conductivity of the air and the tube wall did not affect ADP levels substantially. However, the observed adhesion was reduced to less than 10 p/sq mm when the air was ionized by use of an alpha emitter mounted on the inner walls of the flame tube.

Electrowetting of liquid marbles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Newton, M I; Herbertson, D L; Elliott, S J; Shirtcliffe, N J; McHale, G

2007-01-01

Electrowetting of water drops on structured superhydrophobic surfaces are known to cause an irreversible change from a slippy (Cassie-Baxter) to a sticky (Wenzel) regime. An alternative approach to using a water drop on a superhydrophobic surface to obtain a non-wetting system is to use a liquid marble on a smooth solid substrate. A liquid marble is a droplet coated in hydrophobic grains, which therefore carries its own solid surface structure as a conformal coating. Such droplets can be considered as perfect non-wetting systems having contact angles to smooth solid substrates of close to 180 0 . In this work we report the electrowetting of liquid marbles made of water coated with hydrophobic lycopodium grains and show that the electrowetting is completely reversible. Marbles are shown to return to their initial contact angle for both ac and dc electrowetting and without requiring a threshold voltage to be exceeded. Furthermore, we provide a proof-of-principle demonstration that controlled motion of marbles on a finger electrode structure is possible

Efficient strategy for maintaining and enhancing the huperzine A production of Shiraia sp. Slf14 through inducer elicitation.

Science.gov (United States)

Yan, Riming; Zhang, Zhibin; Wang, Ya; Yang, Huilin; Zeng, Qinggui; Zhu, Du

2014-07-01

Huperzine A (HupA), a naturally occurring lycopodium alkaloid, is a potent, highly specific and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase and is a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. However, isolating HupA from Huperziaceae plants is inefficient; thus, extracting this compound from endophytic fungi may be more controllable and sustainable. However, the large-scale production of this chemical from endophytes is limited by the innate instability of endophytic fungi. In this study, we maintained the stability and viability of the HupA-producing endophytic fungus Shiraia sp. Slf14 and enhanced the HupA titers during fermentation by adding Huperzia serrata extracts (HSE), L-lysine, and acetic acid into the culture as inducers. Adding trace amounts of HupA clearly improved the HupA production of Shiraia sp. Slf14, reaching a maximum content of approximately 40 μg g(-1). Moreover, the addition of HSE and L-lysine promoted HupA production in the flask fermentation. The aforementioned bioprocessing strategy may be potentially applied to other endophytic fungal culture systems for the efficient production of plant secondary metabolites.

Discerning a theological agenda for spatial justice in South Africa: An imperative for sustained reconciliation

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Stephan de Beer

2016-11-01

Full Text Available A spatial turn has occurred in various disciplines over the past decades. This article holds that it has not occurred in a similar decisive manner in theological discourse and not in South Africa in particular. After considering the necessity of a spatial turn and spatial consciousness, the article examines the concept of spatial justice against the backdrop of how injustice was and is spatially expressed in South African cities. Considering the way in which South African cities have evolved since the Native Land Act of 1913 – the segregated and apartheid city and the (postapartheid city – the article then argues that deep and sustained reconciliation will be impossible should current spatial patterns of segregation, exclusion and injustice continue. It advocates theological and ecclesial participation in a national agenda for spatial transformation, to be fleshed out in relation to four interconnected challenges: land, landlessness, housing and home; the ‘creative destruction’ of neighbourhoods, gentrification and the displacement of the poor; participation in city-making (from below and transformative spatial interventions; and close collaboration with social movements working for spatial justice. It concludes by asserting that such a trans- and/or postdisciplinary agenda for spatial justice would participate with the Spirit to mend the oikos of God.

Stereoselective total syntheses of three Lycopodium alkaloids, (-)-magellanine, (+)-magellaninone, and (+)-paniculatine, based on two Pauson-Khand reactions.

Science.gov (United States)

Kozaka, Takashi; Miyakoshi, Naoki; Mukai, Chisato

2007-12-21

The total syntheses of (-)-magellanine, (+)-magellaninone, and (+)-paniculatine were completed from diethyl l-tartrate via the common intermediate in a stereoselective manner. The crucial steps in these syntheses involved two intramolecular Pauson-Khand reactions of enynes: the first Pauson-Khand reaction constructed the bicyclo[4.3.0] carbon framework, the corresponding A and B rings of these alkaloids in a highly stereoselective manner, whereas the second Pauson-Khand reaction stereoselectively produced the bicyclo[3.3.0]skeleton, which could be converted into the C and D rings of the target natural products.

Body size mediated coexistence of consumers competing for resources in space

Science.gov (United States)

Basset, A.; Angelis, D.L.

2007-01-01

Body size is a major phenotypic trait of individuals that commonly differentiates co-occurring species. We analyzed inter-specific competitive interactions between a large consumer and smaller competitors, whose energetics, selection and giving-up behaviour on identical resource patches scaled with individual body size. The aim was to investigate whether pure metabolic constraints on patch behaviour of vagile species can determine coexistence conditions consistent with existing theoretical and experimental evidence. We used an individual-based spatially explicit simulation model at a spatial scale defined by the home range of the large consumer, which was assumed to be parthenogenic and semelparous. Under exploitative conditions, competitive coexistence occurred in a range of body size ratios between 2 and 10. Asymmetrical competition and the mechanism underlying asymmetry, determined by the scaling of energetics and patch behaviour with consumer body size, were the proximate determinant of inter-specific coexistence. The small consumer exploited patches more efficiently, but searched for profitable patches less effectively than the larger competitor. Therefore, body-size related constraints induced niche partitioning, allowing competitive coexistence within a set of conditions where the large consumer maintained control over the small consumer and resource dynamics. The model summarises and extends the existing evidence of species coexistence on a limiting resource, and provides a mechanistic explanation for decoding the size-abundance distribution patterns commonly observed at guild and community levels. ?? Oikos.

Evolution of green plants as deduced from 5S rRNA sequences.

Science.gov (United States)

Hori, H; Lim, B L; Osawa, S

1985-02-01

We have constructed a phylogenic tree for green plants by comparing 5S rRNA sequences. The tree suggests that the emergence of most of the uni- and multicellular green algae such as Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Ulva, and Chlorella occurred in the early stage of green plant evolution. The branching point of Nitella is a little earlier than that of land plants and much later than that of the above green algae, supporting the view that Nitella-like green algae may be the direct precursor to land plants. The Bryophyta and the Pteridophyta separated from each other after emergence of the Spermatophyta. The result is consistent with the view that the Bryophyta evolved from ferns by degeneration. In the Pteridophyta, Psilotum (whisk fern) separated first, and a little later Lycopodium (club moss) separated from the ancestor common to Equisetum (horsetail) and Dryopteris (fern). This order is in accordance with the classical view. During the Spermatophyta evolution, the gymnosperms (Cycas, Ginkgo, and Metasequoia have been studied here) and the angiosperms (flowering plants) separated, and this was followed by the separation of Metasequoia and Cycas (cycad)/Ginkgo (maidenhair tree) on one branch and various flowering plants on the other.

Woody vegetation, fuel and fire track the melting of the Scandinavian ice-sheet before 9500 cal yr BP

Science.gov (United States)

Carcaillet, Christopher; Hörnberg, Greger; Zackrisson, Olle

2012-11-01

New studies indicate the presence of early Holocene ice-free areas far north in Scandinavia. Post-glacial fire and vegetation were investigated based on sedimentary charcoal and pollen from two small lakes in northern Sweden. Accumulation of organic sediment started around 10,900 and 9200 cal yr BP, showing that both lake valleys were ice-free extremely early given their northerly location. Fire events started after 9600 cal yr BP and became less common around the '8.2-ka event'. Woody vegetation provided fuel that contributed to fires. The first vegetation in our pollen record consisted of Hippophae, Dryas, grasses and sedges. Subsequently broadleaved trees (Betula, Salix) increased in abundance and later Pinus, Alnus, ferns and Lycopodium characterized the vegetation. Pollen from Larix, Picea and Malus were also found. The change in vegetation composition was synchronous with the decrease in lake-water pH in the region, indicating ecosystem-scale processes; this occurred during a period of net global and regional warming. The changes in fire frequency and vegetation appear independent of regional trends in precipitation. The reconstructed fire history and vegetation support the scenario of early ice-free areas far north in Scandinavia during early Holocene warming, creating favorable conditions for woody plants and wildfires.

Experimental investigations of the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of inert and combustible dust cloud mixtures.

Science.gov (United States)

Addai, Emmanuel Kwasi; Gabel, Dieter; Krause, Ulrich

2016-04-15

The risks associated with dust explosions still exist in industries that either process or handle combustible dust. This explosion risk could be prevented or mitigated by applying the principle of inherent safety (moderation). This is achieved by adding an inert material to a highly combustible material in order to decrease the ignition sensitivity of the combustible dust. The presented paper deals with the experimental investigation of the influence of adding an inert dust on the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of the combustible/inert dust mixtures. The experimental investigation was done in two laboratory scale equipment: the Hartmann apparatus and the Godbert-Greenwald furnace for the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature test respectively. This was achieved by mixing various amounts of three inert materials (magnesium oxide, ammonium sulphate and sand) and six combustible dusts (brown coal, lycopodium, toner, niacin, corn starch and high density polyethylene). Generally, increasing the inert materials concentration increases the minimum ignition energy as well as the minimum ignition temperatures until a threshold is reached where no ignition was obtained. The permissible range for the inert mixture to minimize the ignition risk lies between 60 to 80%. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinical verification in homeopathy and allergic conditions.

Science.gov (United States)

Van Wassenhoven, Michel

2013-01-01

The literature on clinical research in allergic conditions treated with homeopathy includes a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) for hay fever with positive conclusions and two positive RCTs in asthma. Cohort surveys using validated Quality of Life questionnaires have shown improvement in asthma in children, general allergic conditions and skin diseases. Economic surveys have shown positive results in eczema, allergy, seasonal allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergy and chronic allergic rhinitis. This paper reports clinical verification of homeopathic symptoms in all patients and especially in various allergic conditions in my own primary care practice. For preventive treatments in hay fever patients, Arsenicum album was the most effective homeopathic medicine followed by Nux vomica, Pulsatilla pratensis, Gelsemium, Sarsaparilla, Silicea and Natrum muriaticum. For asthma patients, Arsenicum iodatum appeared most effective, followed by Lachesis, Calcarea arsenicosa, Carbo vegetabilis and Silicea. For eczema and urticaria, Mezereum was most effective, followed by Lycopodium, Sepia, Arsenicum iodatum, Calcarea carbonica and Psorinum. The choice of homeopathic medicine depends on the presence of other associated symptoms and 'constitutional' features. Repertories should be updated by including results of such clinical verifications of homeopathic prescribing symptoms. Copyright © 2012 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental investigation on the minimum ignition temperature of hybrid mixtures of dusts and gases or solvents.

Science.gov (United States)

Addai, Emmanuel Kwasi; Gabel, Dieter; Krause, Ulrich

2016-01-15

Investigations on the minimum ignition temperatures (MIT) of hybrid mixtures of dusts with gases or solvents were performed in the modified Godbert-Greenwald (GG) furnace. Five combustible dusts and six flammable gases (three ideal and three real) were used. The test protocol was according to EN 50281-2-1 for dust-air mixtures whereas in the case of gases, solvents and hybrid mixtures this standard was used with slight modification. The experimental results demonstrated a significant decrease of the MIT of gas, solvent or dust and an increase in the likelihood of explosion when a small amount of dust, which was either below the minimum explosion concentration or not ignitable by itself, was mixed with gas and vice versa. For example, the MIT of toluene decreased from 540°C to 455°C when small amount of lycopodium was added. It was also confirmed that a hybrid mixture explosion is possible even when both dust and vapour or gas concentrations are respectively lower than their minimum explosion concentration (MEC) and lower explosion limit (LEL). Another example is CN4, the MEC of which of 304 g/m(3) decreased to 37 g/m(3) when propane was added, even though the concentrations of the gas was below its LEL. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alumina ceramics prepared with new pore-forming agents

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Zuzana Živcová

2008-06-01

Full Text Available Porous ceramics have a wide range of applications at all length scales, ranging from fi ltration membranes and catalyst supports to biomaterials (scaffolds for bone ingrowths and thermally or acoustically insulating bulk materials or coating layers. Organic pore-forming agents (PFAs of biological origin can be used to control porosity, pore size and pore shape. This work concerns the characterization and testing of several less common pore-forming agents (lycopodium, coffee, fl our and semolina, poppy seed, which are of potential interest from the viewpoint of size, shape or availability. The performance of these new PFAs is compared to that of starch, which has become a rather popular PFA for ceramics during the last decade. The PFAs investigated in this work are in the size range from 5 μm (rice starch to approximately 1 mm (poppy seed, all with more or less isometric shape. The burnout behavior of PFAs is studied by thermal analysis, i.e. thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis. For the preparation of porous alumina ceramics from alumina suspensions containing PFAs traditional slip casting (into plaster molds and starch consolidation casting (using metal molds are used in this work. The resulting microstructures are investigated using optical microscopy, combined with image analysis, as well as other methods (Archimedes method of double-weighing in water, mercury intrusion porosimetry.

Managing acute alcohol withdrawal with Homoeopathy: A prospective, observational, multicentre exploratory study

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Debadatta Nayak

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Background: Alcohol dependence is a common social problem which may be associated with other risk factors and co-morbidities. Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake may provoke an acute alcohol withdrawal phase with varying degrees of signs and symptoms. In conventional medical system, specific pharmacological interventions are used for management of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal (AAW. There exists a need to explore safe and holistic treatment of AAW. The present work reports the results of a prospective, observational, exploratory, multicentre trial (2008-2011 to assess the role of Homoeopathy in AAW. Materials and Methods: Individualised Homoeopathy was given to 112 patients reporting with AAW. The clinical assessment was done for 05 days using Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale of Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar. Post-withdrawal phase, quality of life of patients was assessed at end of 01 st , 03 rd and 06 th month using World Health Organisation quality of life (WHOQOL- BREF. Results and Analysis: There was a significant decrease in CIWA-Ar mean scores and increase in quality of life score (P < 0.001. The most common remedies used were Arsenicum album, Lycopodium clavatum, Belladonna, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla. Conclusion: The results of current observational pilot study suggest the promising use of Homoeopathy in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. Further studies with large sample size and rigorous design are warranted.

Geographic variation in resource use by specialist versus generalist butterflyfishes

KAUST Repository

Lawton, Rebecca J.; Cole, Andrew J.; Berumen, Michael L.; Pratchett, Morgan S.

2011-01-01

have a greater capacity to respond to coral loss than previously assumed. © 2011 The Authors. Ecography © 2011 Nordic Society Oikos.

Mentiras por omisión en la "raza blanca"

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Ana Silvia Simesen de Bielke

2003-01-01

Full Text Available La razón instrumental blanca es hija legítima de la sociedad capitalista y, como tal, ha diseñado todos los ámbitos de la organización burocrática, el método científico, los distintos dispositivos del cuerpo social y los aparatos jurídicos e ideológicos. El reduccionismo liberticida, por ejemplo, no es un accidente epistemológico, sino que su vocación homogeneizadora ha respondido y responde a una forma particular de organización económica y política: la concepción reduccionista del mundo, la revolución industrial y la economía capitalista son los componentes filosófico, tecnológico y económico de un mismo proceso excluyente. El mismo, a través de sus avances científico-tecnológicos y su mentira civilizatoria, es quien va destruyendo paulatinamente nuestro oikos, nuestra simbiosis originaria con lo natural, nuestra sensibilidad, nuestra diversidad, únicos sustentos para la conservación de toda vida sobre el planeta. Quienes, como intelectuales, han desmontado esta estructura de la Razón Blanca falócrata colonizadora a través de sus dicotomías (humanidad y naturaleza, hombre y mujer, ciudad y pueblo, metrópolis y colonia, trabajo y vida, naturaleza y cultura, deben plantearse el imperativo moral de comprometerse con la denuncia pública acerca de este maridaje entre ciencia y fuerza, ciencia y militarismo, ciencia y patriarcado. Es el momento del desmontaje también de todas las ‘razones’ descendientes de la Razón Blanca: ¿porqué no pensar también en nuestra ‘razón académica’?

Geographic variation in resource use by specialist versus generalist butterflyfishes

KAUST Repository

Lawton, Rebecca J.

2011-11-14

have a greater capacity to respond to coral loss than previously assumed. © 2011 The Authors. Ecography © 2011 Nordic Society Oikos.

Indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem services: A synthesis across ecosystems and spatial scales

Science.gov (United States)

Feld, C.K.; Da Silva, P.M.; Sousa, J.P.; De Bello, F.; Bugter, R.; Grandin, U.; Hering, D.; Lavorel, S.; Mountford, O.; Pardo, I.; Partel, M.; Rombke, J.; Sandin, Leonard; Jones, K. Bruce; Harrison, P.

2009-01-01

the loss of biodiversity. ?? 2009 Oikos.

Signs of political economy

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Bernard Lamizet

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Like any political system, economy is a system of signs and representations. The Semiotics of economy elaborates its analytical methods to interpret such signs, which give meaning to the economy by representing its performances in public debate and in the media. Four major features distinguish the Semiotics of political economy from other semiotic forms or other systems of information and political representation. First of all, the relationship between the signification of the economy and the real or the imaginary phenomena to which they refer always pertains to the order of values. The second characteristic of economic signs is the significance of the state of lack they express. The third characteristic of signs of the economy is the form of sign production, which can be designated by the concept of emission of signs and their diffusion. Finally, as all signs, the economic sign is arbitrary. In the field of Economics, such arbitrariness does not imply that the Subject is free to superimpose whatever value to the signs themselves, but refers to the rupture between the world and its possible transformation. The very meaning of the word economy is here at stake. Oikos, in Greek (the term from which the word economy is derived refers to a known, familiar space. Economy transforms the real, natural world into a symbolic social world, into a world of relations with others whom we recognise and whose actions are relatively predictable. It might be useful to consider the contemporary issue of debt, its implications and its multiple meanings, which includes both the ethical and moral dimension of the condemnation of debt as well as the imaginary political dimension based on the expression of an idea of independence.

Experimental investigations of the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of inert and combustible dust cloud mixtures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Addai, Emmanuel Kwasi, E-mail: emmanueladdai41@yahoo.com; Gabel, Dieter; Krause, Ulrich

2016-04-15

Highlights: • Ignition sensitivity of a highly flammable dust decreases upon addition of inert dust. • Minimum ignition temperature of a highly flammable dust increases when inert concentration increase. • Minimum ignition energy of a highly flammable dust increases when inert concentration increase. • The permissible range for the inert mixture to minimize the ignition risk lies between 60 to 80%. - Abstract: The risks associated with dust explosions still exist in industries that either process or handle combustible dust. This explosion risk could be prevented or mitigated by applying the principle of inherent safety (moderation). This is achieved by adding an inert material to a highly combustible material in order to decrease the ignition sensitivity of the combustible dust. The presented paper deals with the experimental investigation of the influence of adding an inert dust on the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of the combustible/inert dust mixtures. The experimental investigation was done in two laboratory scale equipment: the Hartmann apparatus and the Godbert-Greenwald furnace for the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature test respectively. This was achieved by mixing various amounts of three inert materials (magnesium oxide, ammonium sulphate and sand) and six combustible dusts (brown coal, lycopodium, toner, niacin, corn starch and high density polyethylene). Generally, increasing the inert materials concentration increases the minimum ignition energy as well as the minimum ignition temperatures until a threshold is reached where no ignition was obtained. The permissible range for the inert mixture to minimize the ignition risk lies between 60 to 80%.

Homoeopathic management of Schizophrenia: A prospective, non-comparative, open-label observational study

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Praveen Oberai

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of homoeopathic intervention in Schizophrenia, in untreated cases and antipsychotic treatment resistant cases, to verify indications of medicines, and to assess relapse, if any. Materials and Methods: A prospective, non-comparative, open-label observational study was carried out from October 2005-September 2010 by CCRH at Central Research Institute (H, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Patients between 20 and 60 years of age, presenting with symptoms of Schizophrenia were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients who were on antipsychotic drugs were allowed to continue the same along with homoeopathic medicine, the dose of antipsychotics was monitored by the Psychiatrist. The symptoms of each patient were repertorized, and medicine was initially prescribed in 30C potency after consulting Materia Medica. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Outcome of treatment was assessed with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales (BPRS. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences  SPSS Version 20.0. Results: Out of 188 enrolled patients, 17 cases did not complete the baseline information. Total 171 patients were analysed as per modified Intention to Treat Principle. Significant difference (P = 0.0001, P < 0.05 in the mean scores of BPRS, using paired t test was observed at end of the study. Sulphur, Lycopodium, Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla and Phosphorus were found to be the most useful medicines in treating schizophrenic patients. Conclusion: The study reflects the positive role of homoeopathic medicines in the management of patients suffering from schizophrenia as measured by BPRS.

Experimental investigations of the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of inert and combustible dust cloud mixtures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Addai, Emmanuel Kwasi; Gabel, Dieter; Krause, Ulrich

2016-01-01

Highlights: • Ignition sensitivity of a highly flammable dust decreases upon addition of inert dust. • Minimum ignition temperature of a highly flammable dust increases when inert concentration increase. • Minimum ignition energy of a highly flammable dust increases when inert concentration increase. • The permissible range for the inert mixture to minimize the ignition risk lies between 60 to 80%. - Abstract: The risks associated with dust explosions still exist in industries that either process or handle combustible dust. This explosion risk could be prevented or mitigated by applying the principle of inherent safety (moderation). This is achieved by adding an inert material to a highly combustible material in order to decrease the ignition sensitivity of the combustible dust. The presented paper deals with the experimental investigation of the influence of adding an inert dust on the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of the combustible/inert dust mixtures. The experimental investigation was done in two laboratory scale equipment: the Hartmann apparatus and the Godbert-Greenwald furnace for the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature test respectively. This was achieved by mixing various amounts of three inert materials (magnesium oxide, ammonium sulphate and sand) and six combustible dusts (brown coal, lycopodium, toner, niacin, corn starch and high density polyethylene). Generally, increasing the inert materials concentration increases the minimum ignition energy as well as the minimum ignition temperatures until a threshold is reached where no ignition was obtained. The permissible range for the inert mixture to minimize the ignition risk lies between 60 to 80%.

Functional and geometrical interference and interdependency between the right and left ventricle in cor pulmonale: an experimental study on simultaneous measurement of biventricular geometry of acute right ventricular pressure overload.

Science.gov (United States)

Yamashita, H; Onodera, S; Imamoto, T; Obara, A; Tanazawa, S; Takashio, T; Morimoto, H; Inoue, H

1989-10-01

To clarify the effects of right ventricular (RV) pressure overload on functional and geometrical interference and interdependency between the right and left ventricle, both ventricular internal diameters were measured by the microcrystal technique during lycopodium induced pulmonary embolization in the dog. By repeated embolization, RV systolic pressure was increased progressively until it reached a peak value of about 60-70 mmHg, then it began to fall. At the same time, the hemodynamics deteriorated progressively resulting in death. During the experiment, gradual leftward displacement of the interventricular septum (IVS) without any change in left ventricular (LV) free wall geometry was observed. In pulmonary embolic shock, which showed a fall in LV pressure to about 60 mmHg and cardiac output to about 40% of control, the leftward displacement of IVS became marked, and the cooperative movement of IVS to LV contraction disappeared. The IVS position during acute RV pressure overload was able to account for the transseptal pressure gradient. The importance of IVS position and motion in cardiac function during acute RV pressure overload was stressed. Furthermore, to establish the theoretical treatment in acute cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ligation of the descending aorta (AoL) or norepinephrine ("N") or isoproterenol ("I") administration were examined in a canine pulmonary embolic shock model. AoL or "N" improved the deteriorated hemodynamics with restoration of biventricular geometry. However, "I" did not restore the biventricular geometry despite the transiently improved hemodynamics, and the experimental animals were unable to survive. These results suggest the importance of the maintainance of systemic pressure for the restoration of failed RV function. Further integrated studies are required to understand biventricular interference and interdependency.

Detailed pharmacognostical studies on Berberis aristata DC plant

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Bhawana Rathi

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Background: Berberis aristata DC (Berberidaceae commonly known in Hindi as "Dāruhaldi" and "Citra," is an important medicinal herb native to Northern Himalaya region. The plant is used traditionally in Indian system of medicine as an antibacterial, antiperiodic, antidiarrheal and anticancer and it is also used in the treatment of ophthalmic infections. Its root, stem and leaves also find their use in treatment of various ailments and hence is used extensively in Ayurveda. Materials and Methods: Samples of the whole plants of B. aristata were collected and identified. Hand and microtome sections were taken, stained and mounted and the cell content and cell wall structure were studied according to the method described by Kay and Johansen. Representative sketches were made with the help of camera Lucida. Methods for determining the quantitative values were the same as described elsewhere. For fluorescence analysis, the powder of the root, stem and leaf were examined under ultraviolet light. Total ash, acid insoluble ash and water-soluble ash values and water- and alcohol-soluble extractives were determined. Results: The detailed investigations carried on the pharmacognosy of the root; stem and leaf of B. aristata have brought out some salient diagnostic features, which allow one to differentiate it from other substitutes and or adulterants. The determination of quantitative values, fluorescence analysis and the use of lycopodium spore analysis has specifically contributed to this differentiation. Conclusion: From the foregoing observation on the pharmacognosy of root, stem and leaf of B. aristata DC, the salient diagnostic characters of three parts have been presented, which can allow one to differentiate it from other substitutes and or adulterants.

Biogeochemistry of uranium in plants associated to phosphatic rocks in the coastal region of Syria

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jubeli, Y.; Al-Oudat, M.; Al-Rayes, A.; El-Sharabi, N.A.

2000-07-01

Investigation studies in general, demonstrate that background levels of U in plant ash are less than 2 ppm and plant materials which contain more in excess of this amount are indicative either of local uranium mineralization, or the presence of high background levels of uranium in the substrate. Uranium concentrations in different plant parts grown on decomposite phosphate rocks in the mountain coast region of Syria was investigated. Mean uranium concentrations in the soil ranged between 0.44 - 3.91 ppm in the reference area and 22 - 92 ppm in the area of outcrop in phosphate rocks. The results showed that low-order plant forms (Fuaria, Lycopodium, and Pteridium) readily accumulate uranium, whereas high-order forms accumulate uranium in certain parts only. The greatest amount of uranium in flowering parts is concentrated in the plant roots, followed by leaves, twigs and fruits. In addition, results showed that there is a good correlation between uranium in soil and uranium in plant roots. the study demonstrate that Galium Canum could be considered as a good uranium indicator plant for two reason: It was distributed on decomposite phosphate rocks only, and the high concentration of uranium in aerial part similar to the concentration in soil (89.9 ppm). Lagurus Ovatus may be considered as uranium indicator plant, because it was highly dense on the outcrop phosphate rocks, and has a high uranium concentration in its roots (up to 93 ppm) and aerial parts (up to 33 ppm) compared to concentrations in roots and aerial parts in the reference area (10.2 and 0.37 ppm) respectively. (Author)

A prospective multi-centric open clinical trial of homeopathy in diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy.

Science.gov (United States)

Nayak, Chaturbhuja; Oberai, Praveen; Varanasi, Roja; Baig, Hafeezullah; Ch, Raveender; Reddy, G R C; Devi, Pratima; S, Bhubaneshwari; Singh, Vikram; Singh, V P; Singh, Hari; Shitanshu, Shashi Shekhar

2013-04-01

To evaluate homeopathic treatment in the management of diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy. A prospective multi-centric clinical observational study was carried out from October 2005 to September 2009 by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) (India) at its five institutes/units. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) and presenting with symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) were screened, investigated and were enrolled in the study after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were evaluated by the diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy symptom score (DDSPSS) developed by the Council. A total of 15 homeopathic medicines were identified after repertorizing the nosological symptoms and signs of the disease. The appropriate constitutional medicine was selected and prescribed in 30, 200 and 1 M potency on an individualized basis. Patients were followed up regularly for 12 months. Out of 336 patients (167 males and 169 females) enrolled in the study, 247 patients (123 males and 124 females) were analyzed. All patients who attended at least three follow-up appointments and baseline curve conduction studies were included in the analysis.). A statistically significant improvement in DDSPSS total score (p = 0.0001) was found at 12 months from baseline. Most objective measures did not show significant improvement. Lycopodium clavatum (n = 132), Phosphorus (n = 27) and Sulphur (n = 26) were the medicines most frequently prescribed. Adverse event of hypoglycaemia was observed in one patient only. This study suggests homeopathic medicines may be effective in managing the symptoms of DPN patients. Further studies should be controlled and include the quality of life (QOL) assessment. Copyright © 2013 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Homeopathic Preparations to Control the Rosy Apple Aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea Pass.

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Eric Wyss

2010-01-01

Full Text Available A laboratory model system with the rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea Pass. on apple seedlings was developed to study the effects of homeopathic preparations on this apple pest. The assessment included the substance Lycopodium clavatum and a nosode of the rosy apple aphid. Each preparation was applied on the substrate surface as aqueous solution of granules (6c, 15c, or 30c. Controls were aqueous solutions of placebo granules or pure water. In eight independent, randomized, and blinded experiments under standardized conditions in growth chambers, the development of aphids on treated and untreated apple seedlings was observed over 17 days, each. Six experiments were determined to assess the effects of a strict therapeutic treatment; two experiments were designed to determine the effects of a combined preventative and therapeutic treatment. After application of the preparations, the number of juvenile offspring and the damage on apple seedlings were assessed after 7 and 17 days, respectively. In addition, after 17 days, the seedling weight was measured. In the final evaluation of the six strictly therapeutic trials after 17 days, the number of juvenile offspring was reduced after application of L. clavatum 15c (-17%, p = 0.002 and nosode 6c (-14%, p = 0.02 compared to the pure water control. No significant effects were observed for leaf damage or fresh weight for any application. In the two experiments with combined preventative and therapeutic treatment, no significant effects were observed in any measured parameter. Homeopathic remedies may be effective in plant-pest systems. The magnitude of observed effects seems to be larger than in models with healthy plants, which renders plant-pest systems promising candidates for homeopathic basic research. For successful application in agriculture, however, the effect is not yet sufficient. This calls for further optimization concerning homeopathic remedy selection, potency level, dosage, and

Heart Toxicity Related to Herbs and Dietary Supplements: Online Table of Case Reports. Part 4 of 5.

Science.gov (United States)

Brown, Amy C

2017-10-05

The purpose of this review was to create an online research summary table of heart toxicity case reports related to dietary supplements (DS; includes herbs). Documented PubMed case reports of DS appearing to contribute to heart-related problems were used to create a "Toxic Table" that summarized the research (1966 to April, 2016, and cross-referencing). Keywords included "herb," "dietary supplement," and cardiac terms. Case reports were excluded if they were herb combinations (some exceptions), Chinese herb mixtures, teas of mixed herb contents, mushrooms, poisonous plants, self-harm (e.g. suicide), excess dose (except vitamins/minerals), drugs or illegal drugs, drug-herbal interactions, and confounders of drugs or diseases. The spectrum of heart toxicities included hypertension, hypotension, hypokalemia, bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart failure, and death. Heart related problems were associated with approximately seven herbs: Four traditional Chinese medicine herbs - Don quai (Angelica sinensis), Jin bu huan (Lycopodium serratum), Thundergod vine or lei gong teng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F), and Ting kung teng (Erycibe henryi prain); one an Ayruvedic herb - Aswagandha, (Withania somnifera); and two North American herbs - blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), and Yohimbe (Pausinystalia johimbe). Aconitum and Ephedra species are no longer sold in the United States. The DS included, but are not limited to five DS - bitter orange, caffeine, certain energy drinks, nitric oxide products, and a calming product. Six additional DS are no longer sold. Licorice was the food related to heart problems. The online "Toxic Table" forewarns clinicians, consumers and the DS industry by listing DS with case reports related to heart toxicity. It may also contribute to Phase IV post marketing surveillance to diminish adverse events that Government officials use to regulate DS.

The ecological aspect of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology of population in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Science.gov (United States)

Redzić, Sulejman S

2007-09-01

This paper contains first systematical revision of the results on traditional use of wild medicinal and aromatic herbs on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)--west of Balkan Peninsula; Southeast of Europe. There have been detected 227 plants belonging to 71 different plant families, which are being used with ethno therapeutic purpose. Results were obtained by method of open ethno botanical interview which comprised 150 persons, whose average age was 63. Medicinal plants in ethno therapy are being used either in fresh, raw or dried condition. Different herbal parts, depending on period of vegetation season, sometimes even in winter, are basis for preparation of infusions (59%), decoct (19%), tinctures (4%). Especially original are balms known as Bosnian "mehlems", which are fresh cuted herbal parts mixed with lukewarm resin, raw cow butter or honey. In ethno therapy are mostly being used aerial plant organs. Majority of herbs is being used for treatment of illnesses of respiratory (22%), gastrointestinal (19%) and urinary and genital system (9%), for treatment of skin conditions (11%), as well as for nervous system and heart diseases (16%). The most original plants on the field of ethno pharmacology, comparing with ethno therapy practice of other regions, are as follows: Ballota nigra, Aesculus hippocastanum, Calluna vulgaris, Centaurea cyanus, Euphrasia rostkoviana, Geranium robertianum, Gentiana asclepiadea, Helichrysum italicum, Lycopodium clavatum, Marrubium vulgare, Nepeta cataria, Populus tremula, Ruta graveolens, Tamus communis, Teucrium montanum, T. chamaedrys, and endemic plants Gentiana lutea subsp. symphyandra, Teucrium arduini, Micromeria thymifolia, Satureja montana, S. subspicata, Rhamnus fallax and Viola elegantula. There haven't been noticed significant differences in the frequencies of medicinal plants use among different ethnical groups. But, it has been perceived that longer ethno therapeutic tradition possess inhabitants of sub- and

HPLC-UV Analysis Coupled with Chemometry to Identify Phenolic Biomarkers from Medicinal Plants, used as Ingredients in Two Food Supplement Formulas

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Raluca Maria Pop

2013-11-01

Full Text Available . High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC with UV detection is nowadays the reference method to identify and quantify the biomarkers of quality and authenticity of plants and food supplements. Seven medicinal plants were collected from wild flora: Taraxacum officinalis (1, Cynara scolimus (2, Silybum marianum (3, Hypericum perforatum (4,  Chelidonium majus (5, Lycopodium clavatum (6 and  Hippophae rhamnoides (7  leaves and fruits.  Two products (A and B were obtained by mixing individual plant powders. Therefore product A was obtained by mixing dandelion, artichoke and milk thistle, 1:1:1 while product B by mixing St John’s wort, Celandine and Wolf’s claw, 1:1:1. The methanolic extracts of individual plants as well as three different extracts of products A and B (using acidulated water, neutral water and acidulated methanol were analyzed using HPLC-UV for their phenolics’ fingerprint and composition. The qualitative (untargeted analysis and quantitative (targeted analysis results were further compared using Principal Component Analysis (PCA in order to identify their specific biomarkers. Thus, quantitative evaluation of individual phenolics in case of individual plants and products A and B extracts, showed specific and significant differences of composition. Both products A and B contained elagic acid as major compound. For product A, good biomarkers were trans-cinnamic, chlorogenic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids, as well silymarin and silibine originating from milk thistle. For product B, good biomarkers were quercetin and kaempherol, gallic and protocatecuic acids, this product being rich in flavonoids. In conclusion, HPLC-UV coupled with PCA analysis proved to be a rapid and useful way to identify the main biomarkers of plants’ authentication, as well of final products’ quality and safety.

Extraction of Plant-based Capsules for Microencapsulation Applications.

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Potroz, Michael G; Mundargi, Raghavendra C; Park, Jae Hyeon; Tan, Ee-Lin; Cho, Nam-Joon

2016-11-09

Microcapsules derived from plant-based spores or pollen provide a robust platform for a diverse range of microencapsulation applications. Sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) are obtained when spores or pollen are processed so as to remove the internal sporoplasmic contents. The resulting hollow microcapsules exhibit a high degree of micromeritic uniformity and retain intricate microstructural features related to the particular plant species. Herein, we demonstrate a streamlined process for the production of SECs from Lycopodium clavatum spores and for the loading of hydrophilic compounds into these SECs. The current SEC isolation procedure has been recently optimized to significantly reduce the processing requirements which are conventionally used in SEC isolation, and to ensure the production of intact microcapsules. Natural L. clavatum spores are defatted with acetone, treated with phosphoric acid, and extensively washed to remove sporoplasmic contents. After acetone defatting, a single processing step using 85% phosphoric acid has been shown to remove all sporoplasmic contents. By limiting the acid processing time to 30 hr, it is possible to isolate clean SECs and avoid SEC fracturing, which has been shown to occur with prolonged processing time. Extensive washing with water, dilute acids, dilute bases, and solvents ensures that all sporoplasmic material and chemical residues are adequately removed. The vacuum loading technique is utilized to load a model protein (Bovine Serum Albumin) as a representative hydrophilic compound. Vacuum loading provides a simple technique to load various compounds without the need for harsh solvents or undesirable chemicals which are often required in other microencapsulation protocols. Based on these isolation and loading protocols, SECs provide a promising material for use in a diverse range of microencapsulation applications, such as, therapeutics, foods, cosmetics, and personal care products.

Multifractal characteristics of NDVI maps in space and time in the Community of Madrid (Spain)

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Sotoca, Juan J. Martin; Saa-Requejo, Antonio; Grau, Juan B.; Tarquis, Ana M.

2015-04-01

communities. Oikos. 2012;121(11):1810-1820 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2011.20423.x Scheuring, I., Riedi, R.H., 1994. Application of multifractals to the analysis of vegetation pattern. J. Veg. Sci. 5, 489-496. Solé RV, Bascompte J.: Self-organization in complex ecosystems. Princeton University Press,2006. Acknowledgements First author acknowledges the Research Grant obtained from CEIGRAM in 2014

Evaluation of intrinsic groundwater vulnerability to pollution: COP method for pilot area of Carrara hydrogeological system (Northern Tuscany, Italy)

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Baldi, B.; Guastaldi, E.; Rossetto, R.

2009-04-01

) *P (Precipitation). In this way it is possible to estimate the natural grade of groundwater protection (O factor), determined by both soils properties and vadose zone lithology, and then evaluate how this protection could be modified by infiltration processes (diffused or concentrated, C factor) and climatic conditions (P factor). Factor elaborations have been calculated by study area discretization by means of raster grid with square cells, 100 m large, yielding the values distribution of sub-factor for each factor, and then the spatial distribution of intrinsic vulnerability, as result of geoprocessing and map analysis raster techniques in software ESRI ArcInfo® 9.1. Results shows in the study area: 1) Medium and high values of vulnerability classes; 2) Areas with high vulnerability located in zones with low O protection index and moderate protection reduction; 3) C factor contributes to the high vulnerability where superficial cover supports more the infiltration than the run-off (slope between 8 and 31%); 4) Low vulnerability grade areas are either inside unproductive hydrogeological units, or with thick superficial covers. Comparing these results with previous study, the distribution obtained by COP methodology shows larger variations between very high and high vulnerability area distribution. Most of the first areas are located in the central part of hydrogeological system, near to the main spring, and also in northern areas, where there is a swallow hole. This result yields a more precautionary scenario for particularly sensitive are characterized by high anthropogenic activity (marble quarry). Moreover, the vulnerability of such area is confirmed by both natural tracers (Lycopodium clavatum; Baldi, 2004) and environmental isotopes (2H, 3H, 18O; Doveri, 2005). This methodology allowed adding further information about intrinsic vulnerability of a hydrological contest very sensitive to anthropogenic pressures, and it is important for water resource as well

Fungal Planet description sheets: 154-213.

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Crous, P W; Wingfield, M J; Guarro, J; Cheewangkoon, R; van der Bank, M; Swart, W J; Stchigel, A M; Cano-Lira, J F; Roux, J; Madrid, H; Damm, U; Wood, A R; Shuttleworth, L A; Hodges, C S; Munster, M; de Jesús Yáñez-Morales, M; Zúñiga-Estrada, L; Cruywagen, E M; de Hoog, G S; Silvera, C; Najafzadeh, J; Davison, E M; Davison, P J N; Barrett, M D; Barrett, R L; Manamgoda, D S; Minnis, A M; Kleczewski, N M; Flory, S L; Castlebury, L A; Clay, K; Hyde, K D; Maússe-Sitoe, S N D; Chen, Shuaifei; Lechat, C; Hairaud, M; Lesage-Meessen, L; Pawłowska, J; Wilk, M; Sliwińska-Wyrzychowska, A; Mętrak, M; Wrzosek, M; Pavlic-Zupanc, D; Maleme, H M; Slippers, B; Mac Cormack, W P; Archuby, D I; Grünwald, N J; Tellería, M T; Dueñas, M; Martín, M P; Marincowitz, S; de Beer, Z W; Perez, C A; Gené, J; Marin-Felix, Y; Groenewald, J Z

2013-12-01

Novel species of microfungi described in the present study include the following from South Africa: Camarosporium aloes, Phaeococcomyces aloes and Phoma aloes from Aloe, C. psoraleae, Diaporthe psoraleae and D. psoraleae-pinnatae from Psoralea, Colletotrichum euphorbiae from Euphorbia, Coniothyrium prosopidis and Peyronellaea prosopidis from Prosopis, Diaporthe cassines from Cassine, D. diospyricola from Diospyros, Diaporthe maytenicola from Maytenus, Harknessia proteae from Protea, Neofusicoccum ursorum and N. cryptoaustrale from Eucalyptus, Ochrocladosporium adansoniae from Adansonia, Pilidium pseudoconcavum from Greyia radlkoferi, Stagonospora pseudopaludosa from Phragmites and Toxicocladosporium ficiniae from Ficinia. Several species were also described from Thailand, namely: Chaetopsina pini and C. pinicola from Pinus spp., Myrmecridium thailandicum from reed litter, Passalora pseudotithoniae from Tithonia, Pallidocercospora ventilago from Ventilago, Pyricularia bothriochloae from Bothriochloa and Sphaerulina rhododendricola from Rhododendron. Novelties from Spain include Cladophialophora multiseptata, Knufia tsunedae and Pleuroascus rectipilus from soil and Cyphellophora catalaunica from river sediments. Species from the USA include Bipolaris drechsleri from Microstegium, Calonectria blephiliae from Blephilia, Kellermania macrospora (epitype) and K. pseudoyuccigena from Yucca. Three new species are described from Mexico, namely Neophaeosphaeria agaves and K. agaves from Agave and Phytophthora ipomoeae from Ipomoea. Other African species include Calonectria mossambicensis from Eucalyptus (Mozambique), Harzia cameroonensis from an unknown creeper (Cameroon), Mastigosporella anisophylleae from Anisophyllea (Zambia) and Teratosphaeria terminaliae from Terminalia (Zimbabwe). Species from Europe include Auxarthron longisporum from forest soil (Portugal), Discosia pseudoartocreas from Tilia (Austria), Paraconiothyrium polonense and P. lycopodinum from Lycopodium

Introducción a los Problemas que Plantea la Economía a la Ecología

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Blandon Montes Luis Alberto

1981-09-01

Full Text Available Para iniciar diremos que la palabra economía se deriva del griego "Di konomike" (O ikos: Todo lo que uno posee; nomos: Administración, en el sentido empleado por los griegos la palabra venía a significar el acto de administrar prudente y sistemáticamente el patrimonio familiar. Esta administración prudente se remonta a los comienzos de la humanidad cuando el hombre para satisfacer sus necesidades recurría a sus habilidades como cazador y recolector y a las posibilidades que la naturaleza le brindaba en este sentido. Con el perfeccionamiento de la habilidad, nació la acumulación y posiblemente el intercambio, que vienen a incrementarse y a tomar cuerpo con la domesticación y cría de animales y el cultivo de las plantas que dan nacimiento a la agricultura con el arado de hierro tirado por animales dornésticos, la rotación de la tierra a gran escala y una producción de medios de existencia casi ilimitados para el momento. Todo ello motivó un rápido aumento de la población, que se instala densamente en pequeñas áreas dando origen a las comunidades antiguas organizadas principalmente para la guerra. La vida económica descansaba por lo general en la esclavitud y los botines de guerra. Unos cuantos propietarios eran dueños de la tierra, los esclavos aportaban la mayoría del trabajo en el taller y en el campo, las costumbres y las castas imponían una barrera casi infranqueable al progreso individual, en resumen la vida económica era limitada y subordinada a la filosofía, la ética la religión y el derecho de los señores dueños del poder representados en la iglesia y en un estado poderoso. La palabra ecología se deriva del griego "oikos": casa, la ecología es el estudio de casas o más ampliamente, medio ambiente. La unidad básica de la ecología es el ecosistema, puesto que incluye tanto a los organismos como al medio ambiente, cada uno influenciando las propiedades del otro y ambos necesarios para el mantenimiento de la

Representaciones sociales sobre la crisis ambiental de profesores de química en formación inicial de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional

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Yair Alexánder Porras Contreras

2015-12-01

opresión, la falta de libertad, la poca solidaridad, la vulnerabilidad social, el racismo ambiental, la corrupción y las amenazas contra la salud. Es una crisis del territorio, que se evidencia con la pérdida de ese espacio donde se construye la relación social, situación que promueve la injusticia ambiental, la migración y la pobreza. La suma de estos desequilibrios afecta el ambiente, nuestro oikos, un sistema dinámico y complejo, que establece relaciones rizomáticas entre sus componentes (biofísicos, sociales y culturales. De esta manera, podríamos concluir que la crisis ambiental es una construcción social que involucra la identidad, la alteridad, la territorialidad y, particularmente, la formación del sujeto ecosocial, lo cual la constituye como uno de los riesgos más importantes a los que se ve enfrentada la humanidad, convirtiéndose en una crisis de civilización.

Homeopathic Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Pregnant Women With Mental Disorders: A Double-blind, Controlled Clinical Trial.

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Vilhena, Edgard Costa de; Castilho, Euclides Ayres de

2016-10-01

Context • Worldwide, 35 million people suffer from obesity. Mental disorders have been associated with being overweight or obese. Considerable evidence has shown a correlation between stress and the use of homeopathy and stress and obesity. However, few studies have examined the relationship between weight loss and homeopathic treatment of obesity. Objective • The study intended to evaluate the efficacy of a homeopathic treatment in preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy in overweight or obese women who were suspected of having a common mental disorder. Design • The study was a randomized, controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. Setting • The study took place at the Center for the Social Support of Motherhood (São Paulo, Brazil). Participants • Participants were pregnant women who were enrolled at the center. Intervention • For the homeopathic group, 9 drugs were preselected, including (1) Pulsatilla nigricans, (2) Sepia succus, (3) Lycopodium clavatum, (4) sulphur, (5) Lachesis trigonocephalus, (6) Nux vomica, (7) Calcarea carbonica, (8) phosphorus; and (9) Conium maculatum. From those 9 drugs, 1 was prioritized for administration for each participant. After the first appointment, a reselection or selection of a new, more appropriate drug occurred, using the list of preselected drugs. The dosage was 6 drops orally 2 ×/d, in the morning and at night, on 4 consecutive days each wk, with an interval of 3 d between doses, up until the next appointment medical appointment. The control group received the equivalent placebo drug. Both groups also received a diet orientation. Outcome Measures • We evaluated pregnant women who were overweight or had class 1 or 2 obesity and were suspected of having a common mental disorder, with no concomitant diseases, in 2 groups: those receiving a placebo (control group, n = 72); and those receiving homeopathic treatment (homeopathy group, n = 62). Weight change during pregnancy was defined as the

Ontogenia del esporangio y esporogénesis del licopodio Huperzia brevifolia (Lycopodiaceae de las altas montañas de Colombia

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Edgar Javier Rincón Barón

2009-12-01

Full Text Available Se describe la ontogenia y la esporogénesis en H. brevifolia, en material recolectado en el Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy (Boyacá-Colombia a 4200m de altitud. Los esporangios se desarrollan de forma basípeta sobre el eje caulinar: los iniciales y juveniles se localizan en el ápice y los adultos a maduros, en la base. El desarrollo se inicia a partir de un grupo de células epidérmicas localizadas en las axilas que forman los microfilos con el eje caulinar. Estas células se dividen activamente por mitosis formando una masa celular externa y otra interna. La primera da origen a la pared del esporangio, de varios estratos celulares; de éstos, el estrato externo desarrolla engrosamientos en las paredes anticlinales y en la periclinal interna. El estrato celular interno se diferencia para formar el tapete secretor. Los demás estratos celulares de la pared se degradan durante la maduración del esporangio. La masa celular interna da origen al tejido esporógeno que forma los esporocitos, que experimentan la meiosis I hasta la etapa de díada. La meiosis II concluye con la formación de tétradas, constituidas por esporas en disposición tetraédrica. Las esporas son foveoladas con abertura trilete y son liberadas del esporangio a través de la dehiscencia.Sporangia ontogeny and sporogenesis of the lycopodium Huperzia brevifolia (Lycopodiaceae from the high mountains of Colombia. Huperzia brevifolia is one of the dominant species of the genus Huperzia living in paramos and superparamos from the Colombian Andes. A detailed study of the sporangium’s ontogeny and sporogenesis was carried out using specimens collected at 4200m above sea level, in Parque Natural Nacional El Cocuy, Colombia. Small pieces of caulinar axis bearing sporangia were fixed, dehydrated, paraffin embedded, sectioned in a rotatory microtome, and stained using the common Safranin O-Fast Green technique; handmade cross sections were also made, stained with aqueous Toluidine

Ontogenia de los esporangios, formación y citoquímica de esporas en licopodios (Lycopodiaceae colombianos

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Edgar Javier Rincón Baron

2014-03-01

Full Text Available Los estudios sobre aspectos reproductivos no son muy abundantes en la literatura científica sobre los taxones de Lycopodiaceae y constituyen información esencial para apoyar la taxonomía y relaciones sistemáticas en el grupo. Por lo tanto, se presenta aquí un análisis detallado de la ontogenia de los esporangios y esporogénesis, así como determinaciones químicas de varios compuestos generados durante la formación de las esporas. Los análisis se llevaron a cabo en 14 taxones de seis géneros de la familia: Diphasiastrum, Diphasium, Huperzia (un género que se trata aquí, incluyendo Phlegmariurus, Lycopodiella, Lycopodium y Palhinhaea. Las muestras fueron recolectadas en tres departamentos de los Andes de Colombia entre 1 454-3 677m de altitud. La ontogenia se estudió en trozos de estróbilos y ejes, de 1cm de largo, que se fijaron en glutaraldehido o FAA, se deshidrataron en alcohol, se incluyeron en LR White, se seccionaron en cortes de 0.2-0.5μm y se colorearon con azul de toluidina (TBO, un colorante metacromático que permite detectar tanto esporopolenina como lignina o sus precursores. Para estudios adicionales, secciones de 3-5μm de material incluido en paraplast plus se colorearon con safranina-verde rápido y azul alciánhematoxilina. Las pruebas químicas se llevaron a cabo en secciones de esporangios sin fijar en diferentes etapas de madurez utilizando azul alcián (mucopolisacáridos, solución de Lugol (almidón, Sudán III (lípidos, fluoroglucinol (lignina y orceína (cromosomas. Las observaciones se efectuaron con microscopio fotónico equipado con contraste diferencial de interferencia (DIC y microscopía de fluorescencia (para esporas y pared de los esporangios sin colorear. Para observaciones con microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB, los estróbilos y esporangios se deshidrataron con 2,2 dimetoxipropano, se desecaron a punto crítico y se metalizaron con oro. Los resultados indican que la ontogenia de los

Religious culture and health promotion: care, practice, object

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Viola Timm

2015-06-01

of the sick or ex-voto devotionals, and the physical object representing either the symptom or the instrument of medical or divine intervention. Pope Benedict’s first encyclical(2, “Deus Carita Est”, placed the notion and practice of caritas, meaning love, virtue and charity or grace, at the center of social justice and social - health - care. Yet, the public domain where communicative action(3 on behalf of health promotion and equity of care can be undertaken and carried out is the modern technologically engineered mass, which is very different from the traditional religious congregation, and represents a complex system not reducible to governmental bureaucracies and political structures. Our thesis is that public - mass formatted - health design can only obtain a measure of its efficiency by gauging medical and juridical interventions with covenantal or votive procedural reality, as well as with the psychological-libidinal authenticity of care deposited in cultural artifacts as objects of relation and communication. Hannah Arendt(4 was the first philosopher of the twentieth century to call attention to the social reality of the Christian caritas, a bold move given the mass dimensions of the group she was envisioning. She also documented the binary opposition between sexual, carnal love and duty-bound, creaturely love that dominated social thought around the world wars(4. In contrast to Arendt and all mass sociologists, the covenantal female sexuality is also believed to be a vital part of the concept of God’s love(2, indeed its very anchor in material reality, which has important implications for family health promotion, the design of public spaces, the health of the individual oikos and of group economies. In a recent commentary(5 on an evolutionist exhibit celebrating otherwise vague and imprecise evidence of a purported survival of Neanderthal achievements, was concluded that regrets about the omission of medical knowledge from the show�

Ash wettability conditions splash erosion in the postfire

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Gordillo-Rivero, Ángel J.; de Celis, Reyes; García-Moreno, Jorge; Jiménez-Compán, Elizabeth; Alanís, Nancy; Cerdà, Artemi; Pereira, Paulo; Zavala, Lorena M.; Jordán, Antonio

2015-04-01

-Solera (Ed.) Incendios Forestales, Suelos y Erosión Hídrica. Caja Mediterráneo CENACAM Font Roja-Alcoi. Alicante. Pp.: 5-40. Mataix-Solera J, Guerrero C, Arcenegui V, Bárcenas G, Zornoza R, Pérez-Bejarano A, Bodí MB, Mataix-Beneyto J, Gómez I, García-Orenes F, Navarro-Pedreño J, Jordán MM, Cerdà A, Doerr SH, Úbeda X, Outeiro L, Jordán A, Zavala LM. 2009. Los incendios forestales y el suelo: un resumen de la investigación realizada por el Grupo de Edafología Ambiental de la UMH en colaboración con otros grupos. In: Cerdà A, Mataix-Solera J. (Eds.). El efecto de los incendios forestales sobre los suelos en España. El estado de la cuestión visto por los científicos españoles. Universitat de Valencia. Valencia. Pp.: 185-218. Mataix-Solera J, Cerdà A, Arcenegui V, Jordán A, Zavala LM. 2011. Fire efects on soil aggregation: a review. Earth-Science Reviews 109, 44-60 Neary DG, Klopatek CC, DeBano LF, Ffolliott PF. 1999. Fire effects on belowground sustainability: a review and synthesis. Forest Ecology and Management 122, 51-71. Pausas JG, Verdú M. 2005. Plant persistence traits in fire-prone ecosystems of the Mediterranean Basin: a phylogenetic approach. Oikos 109, 196-202. Pereira P, Úbeda X, Outeiro L, Martin D. 2009. Factor analysis applied to fire temperature effects on water quality. In: Gómez E, Álvarez K (Eds.), Forest Fires: Detection, Suppression and Prevention. Series Natural Disaster Research, Prediction and Mitigation, Nova Science Publishers, New York, NY. Pp.: 273-285 Pereira P, Cerdà A, Úbeda X, Mataix-Solera J, Martin D, Jordán A, Burguet M. 2013. Spatial models for monitoring the spatio-temporal evolution of ashes after fire - a case study of a burnt grassland in Lithuania. Solid Earth 4, 153-165. Sevink J, Imeson AC, Verstraten JM. 1989. Humus form development and hillslope runoff, and the effects of fire and management, under Mediterranean forest in N.E. Spain. Catena 16, 461-475. Stark NM, 1977. Fire and nutrient cycling in a