Impurity of Blood analyzes the proposition of Spanish racial thought in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that racial strength came from a fusion of different groups, rather than from a kind of racial purity. By providing a history of ethnic thought in Spain in the medieval and early modern era, and by studying the formation of racial thought in Spain's nascent human sciences and its political and cultural manifestations leading into the Franco regime, it provides a new view of racial thought in Europe and its connections to the larger twentieth century formation of racial thought in the West.

Addresses central questions regarding the ways that religion regards the role of women.

An informative and comprehensive book on the applications and techniques of dried blood spot sampling Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling involves the collection of a small volume of blood, via a simple prick or other means, from a study subject onto a cellulose or polymer paper card, which is followed by drying and transfer to the laboratory for analysis. For many years, this method of blood sample collection has been extensively utilized in some important areas of human healthcare (for example, newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders and HIV-related epidemiological studies). Because of its advantages over conventional blood, plasma, or serum sample collection, DBS sampling has been valued by the pharmaceutical industry in drug research and development. Dried Blood Spots: Applications and Techniques features contributions from an international team of leading scientists in the field. Their contributions present a unique resource on the history, principles, procedures, methodologies, applications, and emerging technologies related to DBS. Presented in three parts, the book thoroughly examines: Applications of DBS sampling and associated procedures and methodologies in various human healthcare studies Applications and perspectives of DBS sampling in drug research and development, and therapeutic drug monitoring New technologies and emerging applications related to DBS sampling and analysis Dried Blood Spots: Applications and Techniques is a valuable working guide for researchers, professionals, and students in healthcare, medical science, diagnostics, clinical chemistry, and pharmaceuticals, etc.

Personal impurity caused by childbirth, menstrual blood or death is an issue of concern prevalent in many cultures. In Japan, the generic term for these kinds of impurities is kegare and death impurity, a sub-type of kegare, is known as shi-e. The major topic of this book is death impurity. The definition and genesis of shi-e are explained. In addition, details of the influence shi-e had on ancient Japanese society as well as its continuing influence on modern Japanese society are given. Three hypotheses are stated and supported: (1) the shi-e concept began in Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BC - 300 AD) rather than at a later date as previously hypothesized; (2) the basis for the aversion to dead bodies, i.e. shi-e, is that corpses remind people of the fact that they will soon die; (3) Buddhism and Shintoism merged in Japan because of the impact of shi-e on Shintoism. This book concludes with some comments on the relevance of knowledge of the death impurity for students of Japanese history, culture and society.