Search

Mathematics was considered to be a universal language that God used to write the book of nature. Many of the greatest mathematicians (such as Descartes, Leibniz, Euler, Cantor) saw their mathematical work as a way to have a clearer insight into the existence of God and His infinity, as well as to glorify His name. This paper explores the mathematics-theology relation in the works of some of the greatest mathematicians from the fifteenth century to the present day. It also discusses how this information could be used to introduce the investigation of the reality of mathematics as divine language in the mathematics curricula of Catholic universities and colleges. At advanced levels, students need to understand Mathematics not only as a secular subject of technical utility, but also as a rich culture in which ideas of transcendence can be explored.

I am so happy to bring you the latest issue ofthe EI digest once again. With support from theEpistemic Insight Initiative and the FAHE (Facultyof Humanities and Education at CCCU) andcollaborators, we happily bring you to issue 5, andI hope there will be many more to come. What makes this journal so important is that it givesa voice to not only academics but students,teachers and collaborators. It enables those who may not feel that they have an opportunity to publishto do so and to share their experiences and love of knowledge, EI, and education with a large andfriendly community.

Nanotechnology is advancing at a fast pace with its ramifications felt in almost every field, including animal biotechnology and life sciences. Further growth in its applications to animal nutrition, health, disease diagnosis, and drug delivery is inevitable. This chapter provides an overview of the application of nanotechnology to the study of the structure, mechanics, and biochemistry of animal cells on a nanoscale.

Our modern society is primarily driven by advances in technology which, although very useful to humanity on a practical level, are not helping us much to deepen our understanding of the inner mysteries of the Universe, to better ourselves spiritually, and to seek the Truth. The materialistic trend that we are currently experiencing is urging us to revive the synergy between science and religion. As a first step towards the bridging of science and faith, physicists and theologians at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, ran a series of three workshops as part of the “Connecting Physics with Faith” project, which enabled a general audience composed of people coming from a Christian background to engage with and further explore physics and its relationship with faith. In particular, the project aimed to introduce Christian audiences to those aspects of cosmology and quantum physics that were more related to creation and human consciousness, such as the Big Bang Theory and Quantum Superposition. Two workshops were held at St Mary’s University and one workshop at a local parish. The workshop topics varied with the first one devoted to the lives and scientific journeys of Fr. Dr. Georges Lemaitre (cosmologist) and Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne (theoretical physicist) whose contributions to physics and theology were outstanding, the second looking at the “creation” of the Universe from biblical (Genesis 1) and scientific (Big Bang Theory) viewpoints, and the last workshop exploring the relationship between human consciousness and quantum physics. The project outcome indicated that an approach based on engaging Christian general audiences with physics and theology questions has the potential to contribute to (1) bridging the gap between physics and theology, (2) bringing physics to Christian communities who are not familiar with science and (3) corroborating the conception that physics and faith can coexist.

International audience; Hybrid polyurethane/acrylic waterborne pressure sensitive adhesives were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. The free radical polymerization of a mixture of acrylic and methacrylic monomers, containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, was carried out in the presence of a diisocyanate terminated polyurethane prepolymer and a diol. The resulting polymer microstructure was varied by altering the PU content and the number of links between the PU and the acrylic chains. The structure of the hybrid polymer was characterized by a combination of macroscopic measurements (gel fraction, swelling ratio, and sol molecular weight distribution) and computer simulations. A detailed study of the relationship between structure and adhesive properties was carried out.

The effects of the CTA concentration on polymerization kinetics, polymer microstructure, particle morphology, and adhesive performance of waterborne hybrid PSAs prepared by simultaneous free-radical and addition miniemulsion polymerizations are studied. The development of the microstructure is shown to differ from waterborne acrylic PSAs obtained by free-radical polymerization because of the contribution of the addition reaction, which in turn causes marked differences in the adhesive performance of the final films. A computer simulation is developed to obtain detailed information about the microstructure of PU/acrylic hybrids and to correlate the microstructure with the final adhesive properties. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), such as those used in packaging and adhesive tapes, are very often encountered in forensic investigations. In criminal activities, packaging tapes may be used for sealing packets containing drugs, explosive devices, or questioned documents, while adhesive and electrical tapes are used occasionally in kidnapping cases. In this work, the potential of using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in both imaging and force mapping (FM) modes to derive additional analytical information from PSAs is demonstrated. AFM has been used to illustrate differences in the ultrastructural and nanomechanical properties of three visually distinguishable commercial PSAs to first test the feasibility of using this technique. Subsequently, AFM was used to detect nanoscopic differences between three visually indistinguishable PSAs.

Waterborne polyurethane-acrylic hybrid nanoparticles for application as pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were prepared by one-step miniemulsion polymerization. The addition of polyurethane to a standard waterborne acrylic formulation results in a large increase in the cohesive strength and hence a much higher shear holding time (greater than seven weeks at room temperature), which is a very desirable characteristic for PSAs. However, with the increase in cohesion, there is a decrease in the relative viscous component, and hence there is a decrease in the tack energy. The presence of a small concentration of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the acrylic copolymer led to phase separation within the particles and created a hemispherical morphology. The tack energy was particularly low in the hybrid containing MMA because of the effects of lower energy dissipation and greater cross-linking. These results highlight the great sensitivity of the viscoelastic and adhesive properties to the details of the polymer network architecture and hence to the precise composition and synthesis conditions.

Cobaltabisdicarbollide (COSAN) [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]−, is a complex boron-based anion that has the unusual property of self-assembly into membranes and vesicles. These membranes have similar dimensions to biological membranes found in cells and previously COSAN has been shown to pass through synthetic lipid membranes and those of living cells without causing breakdown of membrane barrier properties. Here, we investigate the interaction of this inorganic membrane system with living cells. We show that COSAN has no immediate effect on cell viability and cells fully recover when COSAN is removed following exposure for hours to days. COSAN elicits a range of cell biological effects, including altered cell morphology, inhibition of cell growth and, in some cases, apoptosis. These observations reveal a new biology at the interface between inorganic, synthetic COSAN membranes and naturally occurring biological membranes.

Object.—To investigate the rhythmicity of migraine episodes without aura in a pediatric population. Methods.—Time of occurrence of 2517 migraine attacks in 115 children was recorded, by means of a diary, both by hourly and monthly intervals. Results.—A significant circadian variation, characterized by a peak in the afternoon (P < .001) and one in the early morning (P= .002) was found. A seasonal peak was also observed between November and January, while a nadir was observed in July. Conclusions.—The clustering of attacks in the morning and midday and in autumn-winter, with a minimum frequency in July, suggests that school activities may represent an important cause of migraine.

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful biophysical tool in biotechnology and medicine to investigate the morphological, physical, and mechanical properties of yeasts and other biological systems. However, properties such as, yeasts' response to environmental stresses, metabolic activities of pathogenic yeasts, cell-cell/cell-substrate adhesion, and cell-flocculation have rarely been investigated so far by using biophysical tools. Our recent results obtained by AFM on one strain each of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe show a clear correlation between the physiology of environmentally stressed yeasts and the changes in their surface morphology. The future directions of the AFM related techniques in relation to yeasts are also discussed.

In the past few years, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided novel information on the ultrastructural and nanomechanical properties of yeast cell walls that play a major role in determining the flocculation characteristics of the yeasts. In this study, we used AFM to visualize at the nanoscale the cell surface topography and to determine cell wall nanomechanical properties (e.g. elasticity and adhesion) of different strains of S. cerevisiae employed for brewing, winemaking and fuel alcohol production. Cell surface topography was found to correlate with the flocculation behaviour of these strains during their late stationary phase, with the cell surface of flocculent cells being rougher than that of weakly flocculent cells. The elastic modulus of the yeast cell walls showed that weakly flocculent strains had a more rigid cell wall than highly flocculent strains. This difference in elasticity seemed to have an effect on the adhesive properties of the yeast cell walls, with weakly flocculent yeasts displaying lower adhesion energy than the highly flocculent strains. These findings seem to indicate that yeast cell surface nanomechanical properties play an important role in governing flocculation.

The boron-rich cobaltabisdicarbollide (COSAN) and its 8,8′-I2 derivative (I2-COSAN), both of purely inorganic nature, are shown to accumulate within living cells, where they can be detected using νB–H Raman microspectroscopy. This demonstrates an alternative method for cell labelling and detection. The inorganic, boron-based molecule cobaltabisdicarbollide, [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]−, commonly known as COSAN, comprises of a cobalt atom sandwiched by two carboranyl clusters.1 This structure exhibits both electrostatic interactions, via a dispersed negative ionic charge covering the whole molecule,2 and non-bonding intermolecular interactions between its weakly polarized B–H and C–H bonds.3 This duality imparts the molecular property of being simultaneously hydrophobic and hydrophilic, and makes COSAN soluble in both water and oils. The polarized lipid molecules that make up biological membranes also possess amphiphilic properties, and can assemble into membranes and vesicles formed from lipid bilayers. COSAN has also been shown to form small nano-vesicles and above a critical aggregation concentration (cacvesicle ≈ 0.01 mM), begin to form micelles.4 However, unlike lipid bilayer membranes, the membranes of COSAN vesicles are monolayered. Recently, [3,3′-Co(8-I-1,2-C2B9H10)2]−, I2-COSAN, has also been found to self-assemble into a lyotropic lamellar phase with sufficient curvature to create closed vesicles.5 These similarities in physicochemical properties to biological lipids suggest that COSAN molecules may be compatible with living cells, and could be used to label cells in a similar manner to lipophilic dyes. Here, we use Raman microspectroscopy to show the accumulation of COSAN and I2-COSAN in living cells.\ud \ud As a first step in this work, COSAN or I2-COSAN was added directly to Dulbecco's Modified Eagle medium (DMEM) with Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293) cells. When the cells were concentrated by low speed centrifugation, washed and incubated in new DMEM medium, visual inspection showed accumulation of COSAN or I2-COSAN (orange in colour) within cell pellets (Fig. 1). This observation indicated that these COSAN molecules could be taken up by living cells.

A careful quantum statistical analysis of regular and chaotic dynamical behaviours in shape-transitional regions within the framework of IBM-2 has been performed, thus providing striking evidence that regular patterns extend far away from dynamical symmetry limits, mainly in the case of transitions from deformed (axially symmetric and triaxial) to spherical shapes.

Delbruck scattering, which is the elastic scattering of a photon in a Coulomb field, is of interest both as an observable high-order non-linear process in quantum electrodynamics and as an interfering process in studies of nuclear structure. This process has been extensively investigated in the past from theoretical and computational points of view. In this paper, attention is mainly focused on the theoretical features and, in particular, the dispersion relation approach and a critical review of the numerical evaluations of the first-order Born approximation cross-section is presented. Applications and limits of these results are discussed in comparison with experimental data on elastic photon scattering by medium-and heavy-mass nuclei and theoretical models of nuclear structure.

An exhaustive picture of the different forms of the Hamiltonian of the Neutron-Proton Interacting Boson Model (IBM–2) is given. The existence of correlations between the most general forms of these Hamiltonians is clearly shown.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and modulated Raman spectroscopy (MRS) were used to discriminate between living normal human urothelial cells (SV-HUC-1) and bladder tumour cells (MGH-U1) with high specificity and sensitivity. MGH-U1 cells were 1.5-fold smaller, 1.7-fold thicker and 1.4-fold rougher than normal SV-HUC-1 cells. The adhesion energy was 2.6-fold higher in the MGH-U1 cells compared to normal SV-HUC-1 cells, which possibly indicates that bladder tumour cells are more deformable than normal cells. The elastic modulus of MGH-U1 cells was 12-fold lower than SV-HUC-1 cells, suggesting a higher elasticity of the bladder cancer cell membranes. The biochemical fingerprints of cancer cells displayed a higher DNA and lipid content, probably due to an increase in the nuclear to cytoplasm ratio. Normal cells were characterized by higher protein contents. AFM studies revealed a decrease in the lateral dimensions and an increase in thickness of cancer cells compared to normal cells; these studies authenticate the observations from MRS. Nanostructural, nanomechanical and biochemical profiles of bladder cells provide qualitative and quantitative markers to differentiate between normal and cancerous cells at the single cellular level. AFM and MRS allow discrimination between adhesion energy, elasticity and Raman spectra of SV-HUC-1 and MGH-U1 cells with high specificity (83, 98 and 95%) and sensitivity (97, 93 and 98%). Such single-cell-level studies could have a pivotal impact on the development of AFM-Raman combined methodologies for cancer profiling and screening with translational significance.

This study investigates the relationship between temperament and psychopathology in children with idiopathic epilepsy (CWIE). The parents of 42 children between 4 and 12 yr of age with idiopathic epilepsy were administered the Child Behavior Checklist to assess their children's behavior and the Italian Questionnaires about temperament to assess their temperament. Multi- ple linear regression analysis was used to compare the results with those of two control groups, one consisting of 62 children (aged 5-12 yr) with primary migraine (CWPM), the other of 74 children (aged 3-11 yr) who underwent neuropsychiatric assessment for emotional distress. The temperamental dimension of inhibition to novelty was found significant in predicting problems of interna- lizing behavior in both CWIE and CWPM, while externalizing behavior issues were predicted by the negative emotionality dimen- sion in CWIE and by the inhibition to novelty and motor activity dimensions in CWPM. The results of this study suggest that temperament is one of the predictors of the onset of psycho-behavioral disorders in CWIE.

The expansive growth and differentiation potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) make them a promising source of cells for regenerative medicine. However, this promise is off set by the propensity for spontaneous or uncontrolled differentiation to result in heterogeneous cell populations. Cell elasticity has recently been shown to characterize particular cell phenotypes, with undifferentiated and differentiated cells sometimes showing significant differences in their elasticities. In this study, we determined the Young’s modulus of hESCs by atomic force microscopy using a pyramidal tip. Using this method we are able to take point measurements of elasticity at multiple locations on a single cell, allowing local variations due to cell structure to be identified. We found considerable differences in the elasticity of the analyzed hESCs, reflected by a broad range of Young’s modulus (0.05-10 kPa). This surprisingly high variation suggests that elasticity could serve as the basis of a simple and efficient large scale purification/separation technique to discriminate subpopulations of hESCs.

There is overwhelming evidence that depression is one of the most common experiences of eating disorder patients (Herzog et al., 1992; Touchette et al., 2010). Individuals with anorexia or bulimia nervosa commonly display high levels of dysphoric affects, feelings of emptiness and ineffectiveness and emotions such as loneliness and desperation (Bruch 1973). Self-depreciating emotions associated with pathological eating behaviors may probably trigger depressive episodes (Nolen-Hoesema et al., 2007). However, several authors have suggested that eating behaviors themselves (whether starving, bingeing or purging) may serve as adaptive strategies to regulate negative emotions, such as those associated with identity and interpersonal disturbances, frequently seen in these patients (Heatherton et Baumeister, 1991). For these reasons, it seems worthwhile, in eating disorders, to look for depression not only in a categorical way but also in a dimensional way and to explore the subjective experience of depression of these patients. This is in line with recent conceptualizations on depression from different theoretical perspectives which converge towards the identification of two types of fundamental depressive experiences framed by personality development: the first one focused on concerns associated with disruption in relationships with others (with feelings of loss, abandonment and loneliness) and the second one centered on problems concerning identity (associated with low self-esteem, feelings of failure, culpability, lack of self-confidence) (Blatt and Zuroff 1992). According to Blatt (Blatt, 2004), maladaptive behaviors would emanate directly from an overemphasis and exaggeration of one of the two essential developmental lines of the personality: the Dependent/Anaclitic line, which concerns the establishment of satisfying interpersonal relationships, and the Selfcritical/Introjective line, which focuses on the achievement of a positive and cohesive sense of self (Blatt and Zuroff 1992). Blatt and colleagues have initially developed the Depressive Experience Questionnaire (DEQ) to assess these two dimensions which emerge as independent factors in analytic studies (Blatt et al., 1976). However, subsequent theoretical developments have suggested that different levels could be indentified, each following a developmental trajectory from immature to more mature forms of interpersonal relatedness and self-definition.

Standard Raman spectroscopy (SRS) is a noninvasive technique that is used in the biomedical field to discriminate between normal and cancer cells. However, the presence of a strong fluorescence background detracts from the use of SRS in real-time clinical applications. Recently, we have reported a novel modulated Raman spectroscopy (MRS) technique to extract the Raman spectra from the background. In this paper, we present the first application of MRS to the identification of human urothelial cells (SV-HUC-1) and bladder cancer cells (MGH) in urine samples. These results are compared to those obtained by SRS. Classification using the principal component analysis clearly shows thatMRS allows discrimination between Raman spectra of SV-HUC-1 andMGH cells with high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (95%). MRS is also used to distinguish between SV-HUC-1 and MGH cells after exposure to urine for up to 6 h.We observe a marked change in the MRS of SV-HUC-1 and MGH cells with time in urine, indicating that the conditions of sample collection will be important for the application of this methodology to clinical urine samples. Publisher PDF

Starting in the 1990s, there has been accumulating evidence of alexithymic characteristics in adult patients with primary headache. Little research has been conducted, however, on the relationship between alexithymia and primary headache in developmental age. In their research on alexithymia in the formative years, the authors identified one of the most promising prospects for research, as discussed here. The aim of this study was to verify whether there is: (a) a link between tension-type headache and alexithymia in childhood and early adolescence; and (b) a correlation between alexithymia in children/preadolescents and their mothers. This study was based on an experimental group of 32 patients (26 females and 6 males, aged from 8 to 15 years, mean 11.2 ± 2.0) suffering from tension-type headache and 32 control subjects (26 females and 6 males, aged from 8 to 15 years, mean 11.8 ± 1.6). Tension-type headache was diagnosed by applying the International Headache Classification (ICHD-II, 2004). The alexithymic construct was measured using an Italian version of the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children in the case of the juvenile patients and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) for their mothers. Higher rates of alexithymia were observed in the children/preadolescents in the experimental group (EG) than in the control group; in the EG there was no significant correlation between the alexithymia rates in the children/preadolescents and in their mothers.

Water-borne polyurethane/acrylic hybrid latexes for their application as pressure-sensitive adhesives were prepared by high solids simultaneous free radical and addition miniemulsion polymerization. In these polymerizations, the polymer network was formed by polyurethane chains that were linked to acrylic chains by the joint reaction of a hydroxyl functional methacrylate and an isocyanate functional polyurethane prepolymer, and by acrylic chains linked among themselves. Under the working conditions, the modification of the polymer architecture was possible by altering the acrylic chains, the polyurethane chains and the links between the polyurethane and the acrylic chains. In the present work, the polymer microstructure was modified by the addition of different diols (polyurethane chain extenders) to the formulation. The effect of the nature of the diol on polymerization kinetics, polymer microstructure and adhesive performance of water-borne PSAs was studied. Adhesive test results demonstrate clearly for the first time that the long-term resistance to shear of an acrylic PSA does not depend only on its gel content but very much depends on the detailed microstructure of the gel inside each particle.

Tackifying resins (TRs) are often added to pressure-sensitive adhesive films to increase their peel strength and adhesion energy. In waterborne adhesives, the TR is dispersed in water using surfactants and then blended with colloidal polymers in water (i.e., latex). In such waterborne systems, there are problems with the colloidal stability and difficulty in applying coatings of the particle blends; the films are often hydrophilic and subject to water uptake. Here, an alternative method of making waterborne, tackified adhesives is demonstrated. The TR is incorporated within the core of colloidal polymer particles via miniemulsion polymerization. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with force spectroscopy analysis reveals there is heterogeneity in the distribution of the TR in films made from particle blends and also in films made from miniemulsion polymers. Two populations, corresponding to TR-rich and acrylic-rich components, were identified through analysis of the AFM force-displacement curves. The nanoscale maximum adhesion force and adhesion energy were found to be higher in a miniemulsion film containing 12 wt % tackifying resin in comparison to an equivalent blended film. The macroscale tack and viscoelasticity are interpreted by consideration of the nanoscale structure and properties. The incorporation of tackifying resin through a miniemulsion polymerization process not only offers clear benefits in the processing of the adhesive, but it also leads to enhanced adhesion properties.

Polymer colloids are often copolymerized with acrylic acid monomers in order to impart colloidal stability. Here, the effects of the pH on the nanoscale and macroscopic adhesive properties of waterborne poly(butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) films are reported. In films cast from acidic colloidal dispersions, hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid groups dominates the particle-particle interactions, whereas ionic dipolar interactions are dominant in films cast from basic dispersions. Force spectroscopy using an atomic force microscope and macroscale mechanical measurements show that latex films with hydrogen-bonding interactions have lower elastic moduli and are more deformable. They yield higher adhesion energies. On the other hand, in basic latex, ionic dipolar interactions increase the moduli of the dried films. These materials are stiffer and less deformable and, consequently, exhibit lower adhesion energies. The rate of water loss from acidic latex is slower, perhaps because of hydrogen bonding with the water. Therefore, although acid latex offers greater adhesion, there is a limitation in the film formation.

The ability of the atomic force microscope (AFM) to investigate the nanoscopic morphological changes in the surfaces of fabrics was examined for the first time. This study focussed on two natural (cotton and wool), and a regenerated cellulose (viscose) textile fibres exposed to various environmental stresses for different lengths of times. Analyses of the AFM images allowed us to measure quantitatively the surface texture parameters of the environmentally stressed fabrics as a function of the exposure time. It was also possible to visualise at the nanoscale the finest details of the surfaces of three weathered fabrics and clearly distinguish between the detrimental effects of the imposed environmental conditions. This study confirmed that the AFM could become a very powerful tool in forensic examination of textile fibres to provide significant fibre evidence due to its capability of distinguishing between different environmental exposures or forced damages to fibres.

Ordered nanostructures are observed in the melt and solid state for a series of three peptide/PEG conjugates containing fragments of amyloid beta-peptides. These are conjugated to PEG with (M) over bar (n) = 3 300 g.mol(-1) and a melting temperature T-m = 45-50 degrees C. The morphology at room temperature is examined by AFM and POM. This shows spherulite formation for the weakly fibrillizing KLVFF-PEG sample but fibril formation for FFKLVFF-PEG. The fibrillization tendency of the latter is enhanced by multiple phenylalanine residues. Simultaneous SAXS and WAXS was used to investigate the morphology as a function of temperature. The secondary structure is probed by FTIR.

Fibrillarin, one of the major proteins of the nucleolus, has methyltransferase activity directing 2′-O-ribose methylation of rRNA and snRNAs and is required for rRNA processing. The ability of the plant umbravirus, groundnut rosette virus, to move long distances through the phloem, the specialized plant vascular system, has been shown to strictly depend on the interaction of one of its proteins, the ORF3 protein (protein encoded by open reading frame 3), with fibrillarin. This interaction is essential for several stages in the groundnut rosette virus life cycle such as nucleolar import of the ORF3 protein via Cajal bodies, relocalization of some fibrillarin from the nucleolus to cytoplasm, and assembly of cytoplasmic umbraviral ribonucleoprotein particles that are themselves required for the long-distance spread of the virus and systemic infection. Here, using atomic force microscopy, we determine the architecture of these complexes as single-layered ringlike structures with a diameter of 18–22 nm and a height of 2.0 ± 0.4 nm, which consist of several (n = 6–8) distinct protein granules. We also estimate the molar ratio of fibrillarin to ORF3 protein in the complexes as approximately 1:1. Based on these data, we propose a model of the structural organization of fibrillarin–ORF3 protein complexes and discuss potential mechanistic and functional implications that may also apply to other viruses.

The detrimental effects of ethanol toxicity on the cell surface morphology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain NCYC 1681) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (strain DVPB 1354) were investigated using an atomic force microscope (AFM). In combination with culture viability and mean cell volume measurements AFM studies allowed us to relate the cell surface morphological changes, observed on nanometer lateral resolution, with the cellular stress physiology. Exposing yeasts to increasing stressful concentrations of ethanol led to decreased cell viabilities and mean cell volumes. Together with the roughness and bearing volume analyses of the AFM images, the results provided novel insight into the relative ethanol tolerance of S. cerevisiae and Sc. pombe.

Morphological changes in the cell surfaces of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain NCYC 1681), and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (strain DVPB 1354), in response to thermal and osmotic stresses, were investigated using an atomic force microscope. With this microscope imaging, together with measurements of culture viability and cell size, it was possible to relate topological changes of the cell surface at nanoscale with cellular stress physiology. As expected, when the yeasts were exposed to thermostress or osmostress, their viability together with the mean cell volume decreased in conjunction with the increase in thermal or osmotic shock. Nevertheless, the viability of cells stressed for up to 1 h remained relatively high. For example, viabilities were >50% and >90% for the thermostressed, and >60% and >70% for the osmostressed S. cerevisiae and Schiz. pombe, respectively. Mean cell volume measurements, and bearing and roughness analyses of atomic force microscope images of stressed yeasts indicate that Schiz. pombe may be more resistant to physical stresses than S. cerevisiae. Overall, this study has highlighted the usefulness of atomic force microscope in studies of yeast stress physiology.

In this work, we study the internal density distribution in a dendrimer or "starburst polymers" system at different generations. We have used different techniques like small angle X-ray scattering, quasi-elastic light scattering and a Molecular dynamics simulation. Obtained data, compared with the literature ones, proposed that lower generation dendrimers display an internal self-similar structure, whereas the higher generations tend to exhibit a spherical homogenous dense structure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

We currently live in a high-tech society where portable supercomputers, artificial intelligence, genetic enhancement, etc., are becoming part of our daily life. It can be argued that this steady flow of complex technology is vigorously pushing aside religion and faith in God. Nowadays if a student decides to study physics he/she cannot possibly think of, nor have an interest in philosophy, let alone theology. This limited attitude towards physics is stripping it of its real meaning and purpose. This paper argues that physics is a study that God has put in the hands of humanity to be used in conjunction with philosophy and theology, in order not only to be able to ask big questions about nature and the universe, but also to actively contribute to finding some answers to them. Ideas about a scientific-philosophical-theological approach to teaching physics at the undergraduate level within a Catholic institution are presented and discussed.

Raman scattering is one of the most used spectroscopy and imaging techniques in cancer nanomedicine due to its high spatial resolution, high chemical specificity, and multiplexity modalities. The flexibility of Raman techniques has led, in the past few years, to the rapid development of Raman spectroscopy and imaging for nanodiagnostics, nanotherapy, and nanotheranostics. This review focuses on the applications of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy and bioimaging to cancer nanotheranostics and their coupling to a variety of diagnostic/therapy methods to create nanoparticle-free theranostic systems for cancer diagnostics and therapy. Recent implementations of confocal Raman spectroscopy that led to the development of platforms for monitoring the therapeutic effects of anticancer drugs in vitro and in vivo are also reviewed. Another Raman technique that is largely employed in cancer nanomedicine, due to its ability to enhance the Raman signal, is surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This review also explores the applications of the different types of SERS, such as SERRS and SORS, to cancer diagnosis through SERS nanoprobes and the detection of small-size biomarkers, such as exosomes. SERS cancer immunotherapy and immuno-SERS (iSERS) microscopy are reviewed.