Coupling plasmonic catalysis and nanocrystals growth through cyclic regeneration of NADH

In a typical colloidal synthesis, the molecules of the reducing agent are irreversibly oxidized during nanocrystal growth. Such a scenario is of questionable sustainability when confronted with naturally occurring processes...

Millenarian Movements

Latin American millenarian movements, rooted in the Christian expectation of Jesus’ thousand-year kingdom, creatively integrated Catholic folklore and apocalyptics with indigenous concepts of dualism and cyclic regeneration. Hopes for spiritual revitalization in indigenous communities, religious renewal among peasant groups, and ecclesiastical autonomy among dissident parties inspired rebellion when the colonial and post-colonial governments created intolerable social and religious conditions for disenfranchised peoples. This chapter analyzes religious movements whose regional expressions dramatized their beliefs in the returning priest-king among the Maya, visions of the Virgin Mary in Mexico, the restoration of Inca rule among Andeans, and a triumphant messianic kingship for Brazilians.

A multi-scale model for hair follicles reveals heterogeneous domains driving rapid spatiotemporal hair growth patterning

The control principles behind robust cyclic regeneration of hair follicles (HFs) remain unclear. Using multi-scale modeling, we show that coupling inhibitors and activators with physical growth of HFs is sufficient to drive periodicity and excitability of hair regeneration. Model simulations and experimental data reveal that mouse skin behaves as a heterogeneous regenerative field, composed of anatomical domains where HFs have distinct cycling dynamics. Interactions between fast-cycling chin and ventral HFs and slow-cycling dorsal HFs produce bilaterally symmetric patterns. Ear skin behaves as a hyper-refractory domain with HFs in extended rest phase. Such hyper-refractivity relates to high levels of BMP ligands and WNT antagonists, in part expressed by ear-specific cartilage and muscle. Hair growth stops at the boundaries with hyper-refractory ears and anatomically discontinuous eyelids, generating wave-breaking effects. We posit that similar mechanisms for coupled regeneration with dominant activator, hyper-refractory, and wave-breaker regions can operate in other actively renewing organs.

Șarpele ceresc și calendarul agrar

This study will try to find answers to the question "Why did our ancestors use the snake symbol and sign in their nonverbal communication?" When we observe the snake’s life and behaviour, we come to understand why Neolithic men used the snake symbol, and why it was important for our ancestors to represent the snake. The snake signs as revealed by archaeological finds enable us to deepen the research about these „famous reptiles”. During the Neolithic, the snake was a symbol for good, helping humankind, but also unknowable and unpredictable, so for the Neolithic men the snake became sacred. That is the reason why they represented the sacred snake on vases, bracelets, buildings, even more, the snake can be found on the sky as a unique constellation charting. In Romanian tradition the snake has many meanings, the best known is that of the guardian serpent (the snake of the house), which represents the protector of the household goods, or the foreteller of rain. Connections between the snake and the cyclic regeneration of nature appeared not only are not typical to Romania. Frequently encountered signs of the snake are the following: the spiral; zigzag; ascending meander; little sticks; chain of S’s; the alphabetical character S (snake in attack); the shape of the S letter around the eggs (circles)