China Science

The article discusses the slum demolitions, land and democratisation in Kenya. It suggests that a group within the Kenya African National Union (KANU) has intensified the demolitions in the 1990s, as the fight for multi-party elections began to heighten. It is said that the the reason behind the demolition was securing a slum clearance, a way of keeping in check urban popular dissent, which was linked to support multi-partyism. It is cited that slum clearance was also a way to punish insubordination through withdrawing access to land.

Klopp, Jacqueline M.1
[1]School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University,

The selective detection of the anion pyrophosphate (PPi) is a major research focus. PPi is a biologically important target because it is the product of ATP hydrolysis under cellular conditions, and because it is involved in DNA replication catalyzed by DNA polymerase, its detection is being investigated as a real-time DNA sequencing method. In addition, within the past decade, the ability to detect PPi has become important in cancer research. In general, the sensing of anions in aqueous solution requires a strong affinity for anions in water as well as the ability to convert anion recognition into a fluorescent or colorimetric signal. Among the variety of methods for detecting PPi, fluorescent chemosensors and colorimetric sensors for PPi have attracted considerable attention during the past 10 years. Compared with the recognition of metal ions, it is much more challenging to selectively recognize anions in an aqueous system due to the strong hydration effects of anions. Consequently, the design of PPi sensors requires the following: an understanding of the molecular recognition between PPi and the binding sites, the desired solubility in aqueous solutions, the communicating and signaling mechanism, and most importantly, selectivity for PPi over other anions such as AMP and ADP, and particularly phosphate and ATP. This Account classifies chemosensors for PPi according to topological and structural characteristics. Types of chemosensors investigated and reported in this study include those that contain metal ion complexes, metal complexes combined with excimers, those that function with a displacement approach, and those based on hydrogen-bonding interaction. Thus far, the utilization of a metal ion complex as a binding site for PPi has been the most successful strategy. The strong binding affinity between metal ions and PPi allows the detection of PPi in a 100% aqueous solution. We have demonstrated that carefully designed receptors can distinguish between PPi and ATP based on their different total anionic charge densities. We have also demonstrated that a PPi metal ion complex sensor has a bioanalytical application. This sensor can be used in a simple and quick, one-step, homogeneous phase detection method in order to confirm DNA amplification after polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Sook Kyung Kim#8224?Dong Hoon Lee#8225?Jong-In Hong#8225?Juyoung Yoon#8224?

The article discusses masquerade politics in Southeastern Nigeria in the 21st century. The article mentions the Igbo tribe and its revival of masquerade festivals and burial ceremonies following the Nigerian Civil War. The article discusses the concept of modern Nigerian identity, ethnic elements of Nigeria, and a localized sense of identity. The article mentions an increase of money coming into Nigera in the late 20th century as a result of oil revenues, and the parallel increase in Nigerian masquerades, rural festivals, and burial ceremonies. The article mentions the presence of Christian and evangelical churches in Nigeria, and it theorizes an increase in hostility towards traditional culture as a result.

Bentor, Eli1Email: bentore@appstate.edu
[1]Appalachian State University, United States

Targeting the minor groove of DNA through binding to a small molecule has long been considered an important molecular-recognition strategy in biology. A wide range of synthetic heterocyclic molecules bind noncovalently in the minor groove of the double helix and are also effective against a number of human and animal diseases. A classic structural concept, the isohelicity principle, has guided much of this work: such heterocyclic molecules require a shape that complements the convex surface of the minor groove. Researchers have used this principle to design molecules that can read DNA sequences. This principle also predicts that molecules that lack the complementary shape requirement would only bind weakly to DNA. Recently, however, researchers have unexpectedly found that some essentially linear compounds, which do not have this feature, can have high DNA affinity. In this Account, we discuss an alternative recognition concept based on these new findings. We demonstrate that highly structured water molecules can play a key role in mediating between the ligand and DNA minor groove without loss of binding affinity. Combined structural and thermodynamic approaches to understanding the behavior of these molecules have shown that there are different categories of bound water in their DNA complexes. For example, application of this water-bridging concept to the phenylamidine platform has resulted in the discovery of molecules with high levels of biological activity and low nonspecific toxicity. Some of these molecules are now in advanced clinical trials.

Binh Nguyen#8224?Stephen Neidle#8225?W. David Wilson#8224?

The article discusses the Yoruba ancestor cult, which is located primarily in southern Benin, specifically in the region of Abomey. The article analyzes the Yoruba as a means of understanding how society interacts with the past. The article mentions “Yoruba authenticity,” nostalgia, and the ways in which social actors relate, in a non-monolithic way, to the past. The article gives a history of the region of Benin, which is located in western Africa. The article mentions “egun” or “egungun” cults, masquerades, shrines, identity, and authenticity. The article also references the Guèdègbe lineage and the artist Bernard Maupoil.

Noret, Jo#235?l1,2Email: jnoret@ulb.ac.be
[1]Research Associate, Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS, Belgium);[2]Member, Laboratoire d’Anthropologie des Mondes Contemporains (LAMC), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

The structural blue color of a Morpho butterfly originates from the diffraction of light and interference effects due to the presence of the microstructures on the wing of the butterfly. Structural color on the surface of a damselfish reversibly changes between green and blue. Inspired by these creatures, we have been trying to prepare high-quality and functional structural color films. We describe our efforts in this Account. A useful technique to prepare such structural color films in colloidal solution is a “lifting” method, which allows us to quickly fabricate brilliant colloidal crystal films. The thicknesses of the films can be controlled by precisely adjusting the particle concentration and the lifting speed. Moreover, in order to prepare a complicated structure, we have used template methods. Indeed, we have successfully prepared the inverse structure of the wing of a Morpho butterfly with this technique. Initially, however, our structural color films had a whitish appearance due to the scattering of light by defects in the colloidal crystal film. Later, we were able to prepare a non-whitish structural color film by doping an appropriate dye in the colloidal particles to absorb the scattering light. In addition to the structural blue color, the wing of the Morpho butterfly has superhydrophobic properties. According to Wenzel’s equation, the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties are enhanced when the roughness of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface is increased, respectively. Based on this mechanism, we have successfully prepared structural color films with superhydrophobic properties, as well as with superhydrophilic properties. Another important property that can be seen in nature is tunable structural color, such as the color change that can be seen on the surface of a damselfish. In order to mimic such color change, we have developed several tunable structural color films. In particular, we have successfully prepared phototunable photonic crystals using photoresponsive azobenzene derivatives. In order to apply these structural color films, we developed a technique for patterning them by taking advantage of the wettability of the substrate surface. These materials can be used in the future for self-cleaning pigments and tunable photonic crystals.

Osamu Sato#8224?Shoichi Kubo#8225?Zhong-Ze Gu§

The article discusses masquerade and masking traditions in Africa as being a primary topic of African art studies in the 20th century. The article mentions precolonial pasts, traditions of visual practice, and the interest of European modernist artists in African art. The article mentions the modernist painting “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” by Pablo Picasso, and the mask-like visuals featured in the work. Artists mentioned include Ben Enonowu, Uche Okeke, Keith Piper, Eddie Chambers, and Ras Ishi Butcher. The article also mentions the term “Ethnographic,” as well as the circumstances of production, distribution, and consumption of African art traditions.

Gore, CharlesEmail: cg2@soas.ac.uk

The aim of this study was to study the convective drying of the hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from powdered guarana seeds in a spouted bed dryer. The influence of process variables, such as the convective airflow rate, extract feed rate,; air inlet temperature, on the quality of the dry extract was determined using the caffeine; moisture content for the process evaluation. The caffeine content in the alcoholic; dried extracts was determined by capillary gas chromatography. The experiments were performed following a 3[3] factorial design; the data analyzed by response surface. The analysis of dry extract showed that the air; extract feed rates did not significantly affect (25% level) the caffeine content, but that drying temperature is a major factor to consider when the extract is submitted to fluid bed drying. Caffeine losses were significant (1% level) for drying temperatures above 120°C, while moisture content was lower than 3% for temperatures above 120°C. The data showed that there is an optimum temperature for the drying of guarana extracts in spouted beds,; under the conditions used in this study it was 120°C.

Renata S. Pagliarussi1?Jairo K. Bastos1?Luis A. P. Freitas1Email:lapdfrei@usp.br
[1] Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeiro Preto, Universidade de So Paulo, Via do Café s/n, 14040-903 Ribeiro Preto, So Paulo, Brazil