Cinematic representations of the Mexican Narco War

This essay provides an overview of the eras of Mexican cinema followed by an analysis of 10 Spanish-language narco cinematic representations, an overview of the eras of American cinema followed by an analysis of 10 English language narco cinematic representations, and a conclusion that compares and contrasts the Mexican and US narco war cinematic experience. Due to divergent national trajectories – Mexico is engulfed in narco violence and corruption while the United States is not – more differences than similarities exist between these national cinematic genres. Dark spirituality themes are also increasingly evident in more recent narco war films

Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 9: Concerns About Potential Gang (PCC-Primeiro Comando da Capital & CV-Comando Vermelho) Influence on Upcoming Brazilian Elections

Brazil’s gangs are challenging the state and each other in a contest for power. The powerful Primeiro Comando da Capital (First Command of the Capital or PCC) is at war with the Comando Vermelho (Red Command or CV) and its allies for control of the nation’s prisons, favelas, and lucrative criminal enterprises—including drug trafficking. As part of this deadly competition, the gangs are alleged to wield corrupt influence over politics—funding elections and bribing political officials. In the latest accusations, Wálter Maierovitch, a retired São Paulo judge and mafia scholar, raises concerns that the PCC is infiltrating political processes to elude state interference. He is concerned that this mafia-or narco-politics (narcopolitica) will extend to interference in Brazil’s upcoming national elections in October

Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 15: Primeiro Comando da Massachusetts (PCM) Emerges in Massachusetts

This article was published in Small Wars Journal

Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 6—Holy War in Rio’s Favelas: Bandidos Evengelicos (Evangelical Bandits)

This article was published in Small Wars Journal

American Politics: Transformation and Change

Georgia Southern University faculty members José de Arimatéia da Cruz and Becky K. da Cruz and non-faculty member Andre J. Dowdle co-authored American Politics: Transformation and Change

Composition and biological activity of essential oils from Lippia origanoides HBK

Analyses of the leaf oils from three colletions of Lippia origanoides H.B.K. by GC/MS and H-1- and C-13-NMR showed a similar chemical composition. Carvacrol (33.5-42.9%) was identified as the major component together with gamma-terpinene (8.0-10.5%), thymol (5.1-8.4%), methyl thymol (6.1-8.7%) and p-cymene (11.9-15.8%). In vitro evaluation of the oils showed significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococus aureus, Staphylococus aureus MRSA, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.16550450