bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roman and late-antique Butrint: excavations and survey 2000-2001
Authors: Bowden W. , Hodges R. , Lako K. , Bescoby D. , Crowson A. , Gilkes O. , Martin S. , Mitchell J. , Përzhita L. , Reynolds P.
Published: September 2015

The Roman and Byzantine port of Butrint, situated on the SW coast of Albania directly opposite the island of Corfu, has been the focus of a major research project since 1994. The investigation of the site and its hinterland commenced with excavations within the walled town and a survey of sites and monuments in the region (Hodges et al 1997). Despite a brief hiatus caused by civil unrest in Albania in 1997, work continued with excavation and study seasons in 1998 and 1999. The results of the first five years of the project are due to be published shortly (Hodges, Bowden and Lako, forthcoming).

The second phase of the Butrint project, starting in 2000, has encompassed a wide variety of research aims. They have included extensive research on the archives of the Italian mission that conducted large-scale excavations between 1928 and 1942. Among other finds, this resulted in the discovery of the manuscript of L. Ugolini's Albania antica vol. 4, the hitherto unpublished results of the Italian excavation of the Hellenistic and Roman theatre (Gilkes, forthcoming). Other archival research has focussed on the records of the communist-period archaeological investigations, and has resulted in a much better understanding of the aims and results of these projects, which in some cases are almost wholly unpublished. Our project is also concerned with the controlled development of the site for tourism. This has resulted in the expansion of the UNESCO World Heritage site to 2900 ha and the creation of a National Park with the intent of protecting the archaeological and natural landscape around Butrint (Hodges and Martin 2000; Martin 2001). The present report is a synthesis of the first results of the major excavations of 2000 and 2001. While it is possible (and indeed likely) that interpretations may change as excavations continue, it was felt that the material was of sufficient interest to justify an interim statement.
Notes on the rural landscape of central Tyrrhenian Italy in the 6th-5th c. b.c. and its social significance
Authors: Cifani Gabriele
Published: September 2015

During the last few decades most landscape archaeologists have noted the diffusion and the demographic importance of the rural landscapes of Archaic Etruscan communities and have tried to define their significance within Etruscan society in the same way as others have attempted to evaluate the political significance of the Greek rural landscape. Recent research on Italian landscapes has led to a great increase in the available data regarding the different paths of development for the various communities, allowing them to be outlined and compared.

The growing dichotomy between the studies of field archaeologists and historians or art-historians may appear to be a problem. Landscape studies in Italy have been dominated since the 1950s by an Anglocentric tradition of economic and environmental archaeology, with important work focusing on long-term phenomena. Historians and art-historians, on the other hand, have tried to define an interdisciplinary approach involving the use of several sources of evidence (art-historical, epigraphic, literary) and focusing on historical events and medium-or short-term phenomena. Yet field and historical archaeology are simply two sides of the same coin, and should be viewed as complementary rather than incompatible approaches to understanding the comolex evidence of the Dre-Roman cultures.
Galerius, Gamzigrad, and the Fifth Macedonian legion
Authors: Christodoulou Dēmētrios N.
Published: September 2015

The future emperor Galerius was born in a small village in the province of Dacia Ripensis around A.D. 258. His mother's name was Romula. When he was confirmed as a member of the tetrarchy he undertook a building programme in his native village, transforming it into a monumental fortified palace. To honour his mother he gave it a new name,Felix Romuliana. In 311, before this ambitious programme was complete, he died and was buried and deified there.

Romulianahas been securely identified through epigraphic evidence with the impressive remains that exist near modern Gamzigrad (NE Serbia). This fortified palace was built in two phases: first came a fortification wall with 16 small rectangular or octagonal towers, dated in the first five years of the 4th c; then inc.305 this defensive system was partly demolished and a new, bigger fortification wall, strengthened by 20 huge, bastion-like towers (16-, 12- or 10-sided) was erected on the outside, encompassing and enlarging the original plan. This wall has been dated to 306-311. Inside the walls were erected two temples with altars, two palace complexes, a bath, a horreum, and auxiliary buildings. On a low ridge of hills east of the fortified palace two large consecration mounds and two mausolea were excavated in 1993. From the finds as well as the overall nature of the buildings at Romuliana, it was determined that this was where Galerius and his mother were buried and deified in the first years of the 4th c.
Vestiges d'un parapet antique près de la tour du Sacraire Saint-Sernin à Carcassonne
Authors: Fourdrin Jean-Pascal
Published: September 2015

Le front oriental de l'enceinte intérieure de la Cité de Carcassonne (fig. 1) conserve plusieurs tours remontant à la fin de l'Antiquité. Celle située au sud de la porte Narbonnaise, accès principal au site, tire son nom de l'intégration de son étage, au Moyen Âge, à l'église Saint-Sernin. A cette époque, le mur de la tour regardant vers l'intérieur de la ville fut démoli, le sol intérieur surcreusé, et l'arrondi concave de la pièce transformé en l'extrémité orientale de l'espace cultuel. Un agrandissement de la fenêtre centrale fut autorisé par une lettre patente du roi Charles VII en l'année 1441. Après la désaffectation de l'église sous la Révolution, la nef, les collatéraux et le clocher ne furent pas conservés. Dans le cadre de la longue campagne de restauration de la Cité entreprise au milieu du XIXe s., les vestiges de la tour firent l'objet de travaux tardivement, vers 1889, sous la direction de Paul Boeswillwald chargé du chantier depuis le décès d'Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Le restaurateur refit une partie des parements intérieurs, ajouta de nouveaux moellons disposés en arrachement à l'ouest, et reprit toute la limite extérieure du couvrement (fig. 2). Sous la voûte médiévale, on remarque encore deux fenêtres de la fin de l'Antiquité, celles qui sont mentionnées dans la lettre royale. Leur arc à profil demi-circulaire est formé de briques. A mi-hauteur de leurs montants, moellons et briques alternent régulièrement.
Inscriptions de l'hippodrome de Tyr
Authors: Rey-Coquais Jean-Paul
Published: September 2015

L'hippodrome de Tyr est l'un des mieux conservès du monde antique. Les malheurs du temps et la mort de l'èmir Maurice Chèhab, qui en avait dirigè la fouille, n'en ont pas encore permis la publication scientifique. Des inscriptions y ont ètè trouvèes, dont l'èmir Chèhab m'avait confiè le relevè et la publication. Les èvènements du Liban ont interrompu ces travaux. Les inscriptions de l'hippodrome sont encore inèdites; des rèvisions et quelques complèments d'information s'imposent, peut-être difficiles à effectuer ou à obtenir, car il est à craindre que plus d'un document n'ait ètè perdu ou dètèriorè durant ces annèes dramatiques. J'ai toutefois souvent eu l'occasion de faire mention des plus importantes de ces inscriptions. La bienveillante autorisation de la Direction Gènèrale des Antiquitès du Liban me permet d'en donner ici les textes eux-mêmes. Cette première prèsentation du dossier anticipe une èdition plus critique et un commentaire plus complet, qui devraient prendre place dans le deuxième volume, en prèparation, consacrè aux inscriptions dècouvertes dans les fouilles de Tyr.

Ces inscriptions, peu nombreuses, forment trois groupes. L'un comprend trois mosaïques de pavement, conservèes en place, qui ont quelque peu souffert des èvènements. Un deuxième groupe est celui d'inscriptions sur fragments de colonnes, dont il n'est pas possible de dèterminer avec toute la prècision ou la certitude souhaitable les lieux de dècouverts, et dont je ne sais ce qu'elles sont devenues; ces inscriptions indiquaient les emplacements rèservès, sur les gradins, aux deux grandes factions, à d'autres groupes ou à certains personnages. Un troisième groupe est celui d'inscriptions peintes qui, près des accès et sous les galeries de l'hippodrome, marquaient les emplacements rèservès aux commerçants; dèjà difficiles à dèchiffrer avant 1975, ces inscriptions sont aujourd'hui apparemment effacèes; je n'ai pu en retrouver aucune lors de brèves visites en 1997 et 1998.
Roman and Early Christian burial-complex at Leptiminus: first notice
Authors: Lazreg Nejib Ben
Published: September 2015

Following the rescue excavation of part of the Roman cemetery and a Roman mausoleum (Site 200) on Dhahret Slama, on the SE edge of the ancient town of Leptiminus on the east coast of Tunisia, the continued pressure of modern building led to the discovery of a remarkably well preserved underground burial-complex, as well a considerable extension of the above-ground cemetery which we had previously sampled. The underground burial-complex includes a number of tunnels and chambers, undoubtedly part of a much larger area of catacombs. These underground structures are cut into the sandstone and limestone ridge known as the Formation Rejiche which runs along the coast.3 This geological formation was suitable for the cutting of Punic-type chambers, of which a number have been located on this side of Leptiminus, and for catacombs, of which other examples have been identified in the same region, at Sousse, Sullecthum, and probably Thapsus.

The existence of underground structures became clear following enquiries made of local residents, who spoke of substructures and vaults beneath their houses. Residents noted that after heavy rains water vanished rapidly into the ground; we now realize that it disappears into the underground voids of built or carved structures.
Response to the comments of D. R. Blackman and Y. Peleg (JRA 14, 411-14)
Authors: Kessener Paul
Published: September 2015

The comments on my article (JRA 13,104-32) by Blackman and Peleg, which are much appreciated, reflect prevailing discussions on Roman hydraulic engineering practices as well as on the relevant paragraphs of Vitruvius (8.6). Blackman focuses mainly on technical aspects, while Peleg aims at archaeological arguments.

Blackman starts with a discussion of the term ‘siphon’, which he regrets being used as it could lead to misunderstanding: ‘siphon’ would represent a “real” siphon, not an “inverted” siphon, suggesting that I must have meant that there was a real siphon at Aspendos. However, in archaeology “siphon” is generally accepted to represent an inverted siphon. There is no misunderstanding: at Aspendos we have an inverted siphon, and since real siphons are not known in classical aqueduct systems, there is no objection to using ‘siphon’ and ‘inverted siphon’ for one and the same notion. Subsequently he states: “The presence of air pockets and so on is almost irrelevant to operations [of siphons] if no point in the system lies above the Hydraulic Gradient Line; were it not so, no garden hose would work reliably” This is a misconception. It is only due to the fact that our garden hoses are connected to supplies with elevated pressures that we get water from them. If we would connect the hose to a low-pressure source (e.g., to a rainwater container standing at ground level), we have to straighten out the coils before water will emerge. If the hose is coiled up, for example, on a wall support but positioned below the free water surface in the container to which it is connected, while we are holding the free end somewhere near the ground, we have nothing but an inverted siphon with high points. If air pockets are irrelevant, water should come out, but it does not if air is in the hose. For problems associated with air pockets in gravity-driven closed conduit systems (which classical siphons must be considered to be), see G. Corcos, Air in water pipes (1989) and H. T. Falvey, Air-water flow in hydraulic structures (1980).
The Severan coin hoard from Shapwick (JRA 14, 358-72): a comment
Authors: Reece Richard
Published: September 2015

Since most coin hoards are found without any archaeological context, even when excavation after discovery is possible, prompt publication of a large hoard of denarii with its context is so unusual an event that a few extra comments and questions may be allowed.

I have doubts about the comparison with the site at Frocester (Glos.). The finds there suggested the remains of an iron-bound chest, and it might be that that was a strong box. If so, it was a permanent feature but was found empty. The Shapwick hoard was deposited in a scoop in the ground and was presumably a temporary hiding-place for a sum of money which might be roughly £150,000 to £250,000 in modern terms. The hiding of the hoard would, in a sense, be more ‘normal’, and certainly more safe, if it were done within the walls of a derelict building rather than an active farm. From the archaeological details this seems to be a possibility.
Worshipping the emperor(s): a new temple of the imperial cult at Eretria and the ancient destruction of its statues
Authors: Schmid Stephan G.
Published: September 2015

In Greece, as in the E Mediterranean as a whole, the ruler-cult was well established during the Hellenistic period, but whereas in the Attalid, Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms the same dynasty had ruled for centuries and the cult of the living ruler and the dynastic cult were stable institutions, the ruler-cult in Greece, though at first part of the Macedonian kingdom, was affected by the series of rulers of different dynasties who followed one another in rapid succession. This led to a large number of dedications for and offerings by Hellenistic rulers in Greece. Roman Republican leaders and figures were also subject to specific honours in Greece from an early stage. Compared to the excesses of rulers such as Demetrios Poliorcetes, the well-organized and at first rather modest cult for the Roman emperors must have seemed a distinct improvement. After the behaviour of previous Roman leaders the Greeks were probably relieved at Augustus's attitude towards cultic honours, and it is no surprise that the imperial cult was widely diffused in Greece, as literary sources and inscriptions show. Almost every city must have had one or more places for the worship of the emperors and their families, but archaeological evidence for the cult has remained rather slim and the only two attested Sebasteia or Kaisareia (at Gytheion and Messene) are known only from inscriptions. The Metroon at Olympia is the only specific building in which an imperial cult is attested on good archaeological evidence. Statues of an emperor and perhaps a personification of Roma found at Thessaloniki point to a Sebasteion there. Athens must have had more than one building where the emperor was worshipped. At Beroia a provincial sanctuary for the imperial cult of Macedonia has been posited. Yet even at the Roman colony of Corinth, the location of the temple for the imperial cult is far from clear, all of which underlines the interest of a building at Eretria which we identify with the municipal temple for the imperial cult.
Supplying the Roman fleet: native Belgic, Frisian and Germanic pottery from Cologne
Authors: Carroll Maureen
Published: September 2015

In 1995/96 archaeological excavations were conducted at Cologne on the site known as the Alteburg where the base of the Rhine fleet (Classis Germanica) was located. The area investigated was located in the E part of the fort near the river bank (fig. 1). Stratigraphic excavations clarified the chronology of the site, revealing 8 different building phases and a much more complex history than had previously been realised. In Phases 1 (Tiberian), 2 (Claudian), and 3 (Vespasianic), the barracks of the fort were timber structures. Under Domitian after 90/91, these buildings were demolished (Phase 4), and the area levelled to be replaced in Phase 5 by new barrack blocks with stone socles and a timber superstructure. After a fire around the middle of the 2nd c., rebuilding took place in Phases 6 and 7, the remains of which were poorly preserved. In Phase 8, around 270-280, the fort was abandoned and the riverside ditch backfilled. Evidence also suggests that the site was first occupied under Tiberius by legionary troops, possibly Legio I and XX, with a contingent of ships, and that it was not until the establishment of the provincial fleet under Claudius that the site became the permanent operational base of the fleet.

Fragments of native, handmade Roman pottery were found in the post trenches, layers and pit fills, ranging in date from the early 1st to the mid-2nd c. (figs. 2-3). Since much of this pottery is virtually unknown on the Lower Rhine in Germany, a study of it in this context can make an important contribution to Roman pottery studies. Furthermore, analysis of the pottery allows us to determine the provenances and better understand the interaction between the Roman military and native societies, particularly in regard to the role various regions played in supplying the fleet with provisions.
In search of Muziris
Authors: Gurukkal Rajan , Whittaker Dick
Published: September 2015

The importance of Muziris in Roman trade with India does not need any underlining. The port on the Malabar coast of modern Kerala figures prominently in the descriptions of classical geographers, it receives mention in the earliest Tamil poems, and it has come into the news more recently through the publication of a Greek papyrus from Egypt. It is also clear from the amount of Roman silver and gold coin found in S India — which gives some substance to Roman estimates of money haemorrhaging out to India — and from the value of the eastern cargoes recorded coming into Egypt and Rome that the trade was neither casual nor modest. All this is well known and has been carefully studied. The oddity, or pity, is that, despite the many ports listed in ancient authors along some 600 km of the Malabar coast, not a single one has been identified for certain, and not one has produced any serious archaeological evidence of Roman contact. As for Muziris, the most important of them all, we have only a vague idea of where it was located.

Almost every earlier study has placed Muziris at Kodungallur (Cranganore/Cranganur in its Europeanised form) at the mouth of the Periyar river and north of Kerala's main modern port of Kochi (Cochin) (fig. 1). That is reasonable enough. The Periyar is the greatest river in Kerala and runs down from the towering western ghats to the sea. But where exactly on the Periyar? Kodungallur is the name given to a large zone, incorporating a number of small towns of which Kodungallur itself is one, strung out along the road that runs north for several kilometres from the Periyar parallel to the coast and the inland waters of the river Pullut. But how certain is this, anyway? These were the questions we had in mind when a group of us decided to take a closer look at the evidence, both in the literature and on the ground. Ultimately, only an excavation can answer the questions for certain, but perhaps we could narrow down the options.
Problems in the diagnosis of discordant atrioventricular with concordant ventriculo-arterial connections: anatomical considerations, surgical management, and long-term outcome
Authors: Laux Daniela , Houyel Lucile , Bajolle Fanny , Raimondi Francesca , Boudjemline Younes , Bonnet Damien
Published: September 2015

Background

Discordant atrioventricular with concordant ventriculo-arterial connections is a rare cardiac defect. When isolated, the haemodynamics resemble transposition of the great arteries. In complex heart defects such as heterotaxy, haemodynamics guide the surgical approach.

Objective

To report a series of eight patients with discordant atrioventricular and concordant ventriculo-arterial connections focussing on anatomical and diagnostic difficulties, surgical management, and follow-up.

Methods

A retrospective review was carried out from 1983 to 2013. Anatomical description was based on segmental analysis. Emphasis was placed on the venoatrial connections.

Results

Segmental arrangement was {I, D, S} in six patients, all with spiralling great vessels. There were two patients with parallel great vessels of whom one had {S, L, D} and the other had {S, L, A} arrangement. Of eight patients, five had heterotaxy syndrome. Median age at repair surgery was 1.4 years (with a range from 1.1 months to 8.1 years). The repair surgery finally performed was the atrial switch procedure in seven out of eight patients. The main post-operative complications were two cases of baffle obstruction and one sick sinus syndrome needing pacemaker implantation. There were two early post-operative deaths and six late survivors. Median follow-up was 4.2 years (with a range from 3.9 to 26.7 years) with good functional status in all survivors.

Discussion

Diagnosing discordant atrioventricular with concordant ventriculo-arterial connections remains challenging. There are ongoing controversies about the definition of atrial morphology and heterotaxy syndrome animating the anatomic discussion of these complex heart defects. Haemodynamically, the atrial switch procedure is the surgical method of choice with an encouraging long-term follow-up despite rhythm disturbances and baffle obstruction.
Anomalous left coronary artery arising from the right pulmonary artery in association with coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Liang Xuecun , Wu Lin
Published: September 2015

In this study, we describe a very rare case of anomalous left coronary artery arising from the right pulmonary artery in association with coarctation of the aorta. A 3-month-old boy presented with refractory congestive heart failure since 20 days after birth. The initial echocardiography suggested the diagnosis of left coronary artery-to-right pulmonary artery fistula associated with coarctation; however, selective coronary angiography demonstrated the rare anomaly of the left coronary artery arising from the right pulmonary artery. Subsequently, he underwent successful transcatheter balloon angioplasty for aortic coarctation and surgical repair of left coronary artery re-implantation.
Diagenetic Evolution and Reservoir Quality of Sandstones in the North Alpine Foreland Basin: A Microscale Approach
Authors: Gross Doris , Grundtner Marie-Louise , Misch David , Riedl Martin , Sachsenhofer Reinhard F. , Scheucher Lorenz
Published: September 2015

Siliciclastic reservoir rocks of the North Alpine Foreland Basin were studied focusing on investigations of pore fillings. Conventional oil and gas production requires certain thresholds of porosity and permeability. These parameters are controlled by the size and shape of grains and diagenetic processes like compaction, dissolution, and precipitation of mineral phases. In an attempt to estimate the impact of these factors, conventional microscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, and wavelength dispersive element mapping were applied. Rock types were established accordingly, considering Poro/Perm data. Reservoir properties in shallow marine Cenomanian sandstones are mainly controlled by the degree of diagenetic calcite precipitation, Turonian rocks are characterized by reduced permeability, even for weakly cemented layers, due to higher matrix content as a result of lower depositional energy. Eocene subarkoses tend to be coarse-grained with minor matrix content as a result of their fluvio-deltaic and coastal deposition. Reservoir quality is therefore controlled by diagenetic clay and minor calcite cementation.Although Eocene rocks are often matrix free, occasionally a clay mineral matrix may be present and influence cementation of pores during early diagenesis. Oligo-/Miocene deep marine rocks exhibit excellent quality in cases when early cement is dissolved and not replaced by secondary calcite, mainly bound to the gas–water contact within hydrocarbon reservoirs.
ARE THERE MORAL REASONS TO REMEMBER THE FIRST WORLD WAR?
Authors: Isdale William
Published: September 2015

2014 marked the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. This paper considers whether there are moral reasons to remember wars. It is argued that the most convincing reason for remembering wars is that they provide valuable lessons about human nature. The First World War elucidates several aspects of human nature, including our tribalism, sheepishness, drive for honour and over-confidence. Taking heed of these lessons may help avert future conflict.
Classifying Children with Learning Disabilities on the Basis of Resting State EEG Measures Using a Linear Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Alahmadi Nsreen
Published: September 2015

Abstract. This study examines the usefulness of easy to obtain EEG measures to discriminate learning-disabled children (LD) from healthy control children. Here the spectral power in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta EEG bands and various power ratios (theta/alpha, theta/beta, beta/alpha, beta/theta, beta/[alpha+theta], [delta+theta]/alpha, alpha/delta, and [theta+alpha]/beta) are applied. These measures were subjected to a factor analysis with varimax rotation revealing four factors explaining 90 % of the entire variance. Factor 1 represents the power of the slow EEG frequency bands delta and theta, factor 2 the relationship between fast and slow frequency bands, factor 3 the slow to fast ratios, and factor 4 the absolute power of nearly all frequency bands. Group differences were found for three factor scores (1, 3, and 4). The linear discriminant analysis with the four factor scores as dependent and the group allocation as independent variables revealed a correct classification of 86 %. Although this classification is far from being perfect it is nevertheless reasonable high and statistically significant. Thus, EEG measures like the one used in this study might support the diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disability. In addition, the EEG measures identified provide a deeper insight into the neural underpinnings of this disability. Based on this knowledge it might be possible to design new therapeutic strategies to treat LD.
Hepatitis B virus X protein modulates renal tubular epithelial cell‐induced T‐cell and macrophage responses
Authors: Wang Xuan , Wang Ling , Zhu Nan , Zhou Yi , Gu Li‐jie , Yuan Wei‐jie
Published: September 2015

Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) have an active role in renal inflammation, functioning as antigen‐presenting cells as they constitutively express major histocompatibility complex‐II and co‐stimulatory molecules that can activate T cells and macrophages. Previous studies indicate that inflammatory cell infiltration and tubulointerstitial fibrosis are present in renal biopsies from Hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐associated glomerulonephritis (HBV‐GN) patients. We hypothesized that disorder RTECs may be involved in the progression of HBV‐GN. Here, we measured renal function and inflammatory cells infiltration in C57BL/6J‐TgN mice, and data showed that in C57BL/6J‐TgN mice HBV x protein (HBx) mainly deposited in RTECs, and CD4+ T cells and macrophages infiltrated into the interstitium. In vitro HBx upregulated CD40 expression in RTECs. In HK‐2/CD4+ T cells co‐culture system, we found that HBx‐stimulated HK‐2 cells could activate CD4+ T cells, promote their proliferation, and lead to an imbalance of interleukin (IL)‐4 and interferon‐γ. In HK‐2/macrophages co‐culture system, we found that HBx‐stimulated HK‐2 cells also increased macrophage adherent capacity and promoted MCP‐1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐1β secretion. These immune dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of HBV‐GN.
Structure of HCMV glycoprotein B in the postfusion conformation bound to a neutralizing human antibody
Authors: Chandramouli Sumana , Ciferri Claudio , Nikitin Pavel A. , Caló Stefano , Gerrein Rachel , Balabanis Kara , Monroe James , Hebner Christy , Lilja Anders E. , Settembre Ethan C. , Carfi Andrea
Published: September 2015

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) poses a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals and neonates infected in utero. Glycoprotein B (gB), the herpesvirus fusion protein, is a target for neutralizing antibodies and a vaccine candidate due to its indispensable role in infection. Here we show the crystal structure of the HCMV gB ectodomain bound to the Fab fragment of 1G2, a neutralizing human monoclonal antibody isolated from a seropositive subject. The gB/1G2 interaction is dominated by aromatic residues in the 1G2 heavy chain CDR3 protruding into a hydrophobic cleft in the gB antigenic domain 5 (AD-5). Structural analysis and comparison with HSV gB suggest the location of additional neutralizing antibody binding sites on HCMV gB. Finally, immunoprecipitation experiments reveal that 1G2 can bind to HCMV virion gB suggesting that its epitope is exposed and accessible on the virus surface. Our data will support the development of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies against HCMV infection.
Direct observation shows superposition and large scale flexibility within cytoplasmic dynein motors moving along microtubules
Authors: Imai Hiroshi , Shima Tomohiro , Sutoh Kazuo , Walker Matthew L. , Knight Peter J. , Kon Takahide , Burgess Stan A.
Published: September 2015

Cytoplasmic dynein is a dimeric AAA+ motor protein that performs critical roles in eukaryotic cells by moving along microtubules using ATP. Here using cryo-electron microscopy we directly observe the structure of Dictyostelium discoideum dynein dimers on microtubules at near-physiological ATP concentrations. They display remarkable flexibility at a hinge close to the microtubule binding domain (the stalkhead) producing a wide range of head positions. About half the molecules have the two heads separated from one another, with both leading and trailing motors attached to the microtubule. The other half have the two heads and stalks closely superposed in a front-to-back arrangement of the AAA+ rings, suggesting specific contact between the heads. All stalks point towards the microtubule minus end. Mean stalk angles depend on the separation between their stalkheads, which allows estimation of inter-head tension. These findings provide a structural framework for understanding dynein’s directionality and unusual stepping behaviour.
Calcium-controlled conformational choreography in the N-terminal half of adseverin
Authors: Chumnarnsilpa Sakesit , Robinson Robert C. , Grimes Jonathan M. , Leyrat Cedric
Published: September 2015

Adseverin is a member of the calcium-regulated gelsolin superfamily of actin-binding proteins. Here we report the crystal structure of the calcium-free N-terminal half of adseverin (iA1–A3) and the Ca2+-bound structure of A3, which reveal structural similarities and differences with gelsolin. Solution small-angle X-ray scattering combined with ensemble optimization revealed a dynamic Ca2+-dependent equilibrium between inactive, intermediate and active conformations. Increasing calcium concentrations progressively shift this equilibrium from a main population of inactive conformation to the active form. Molecular dynamics simulations of iA1–A3 provided insights into Ca2+-induced destabilization, implicating a critical role for the A2 type II calcium-binding site and the A2A3 linker in the activation process. Finally, mutations that disrupt the A1/A3 interface increase Ca2+-independent F-actin severing by A1–A3, albeit at a lower efficiency than observed for gelsolin domains G1–G3. Together, these data address the calcium dependency of A1–A3 activity in relation to the calcium-independent activity of G1–G3.
Database of host-pathogen and related species interactions, and their global distribution
Authors: Wardeh Maya , Risley Claire , McIntyre Marie Kirsty , Setzkorn Christian , Baylis Matthew
Published: September 2015

Interactions between species, particularly where one is likely to be a pathogen of the other, as well as the geographical distribution of species, have been systematically extracted from various web-based, free-access sources, and assembled with the accompanying evidence into a single database. The database attempts to answer questions such as what are all the pathogens of a host, and what are all the hosts of a pathogen, what are all the countries where a pathogen was found, and what are all the pathogens found in a country. Two datasets were extracted from the database, focussing on species interactions and species distribution, based on evidence published between 1950–2012. The quality of their evidence was checked and verified against well-known, alternative, datasets of pathogens infecting humans, domestic animals and wild mammals. The presented datasets provide a valuable resource for researchers of infectious diseases of humans and animals, including zoonoses.
Resolution and contrast enhancement of subtractive second harmonic generation microscopy with a circularly polarized vortex beam
Authors: Tian Nian , Fu Ling , Gu Min
Published: September 2015

We extend the subtractive imaging method to label-free second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to enhance the spatial resolution and contrast. This method is based on the intensity difference between two images obtained with circularly polarized Gaussian and doughnut-shaped beams, respectively. By characterizing the intensity and polarization distributions of the two focused beams, we verify the feasibility of the subtractive imaging method in polarization dependent SHG microscopy. The resolution and contrast enhancement in different biological samples is demonstrated. This work will open a new avenue for the applications of SHG microscopy in biomedical research.
Surface Engineering of Triboelectric Nanogenerator with an Electrodeposited Gold Nanoflower Structure
Authors: Park Sang-Jae , Seol Myeong-Lok , Jeon Seung-Bae , Kim Daewon , Lee Dongil , Choi Yang-Kyu
Published: September 2015

A triboelectric nanogenerator composed of gold nanoflowers is demonstrated. The proposed triboelectric nanogenerator creates electricity by contact-separation-based electrification between an anodic metal and a cathodic polymer. For the improvement of output power via the enlargement of the effective surface area in the anodic metal, gold nanoflowers that produce a hierarchical morphology at a micro-to-nano scale by electrodeposition are utilized. The hierarchical morphology is controlled by the applied voltage and deposition time. Even though the triboelectric coefficient of gold is inferior to those of other metals, gold is very attractive to make a flower-like structure by electrodeposition. Moreover, gold is stable against oxidation by oxygen in air. From a reliability and practicality point of view, the aforementioned stability against oxidation is preferred.
Stepwise substrate translocation mechanism revealed by free energy calculations of doxorubicin in the multidrug transporter AcrB
Authors: Zuo Zhicheng , Wang Beibei , Weng Jingwei , Wang Wenning
Published: September 2015

AcrB is the inner membrane transporter of the tripartite multidrug efflux pump AcrAB-TolC inE. coli, which poses a major obstacle to the treatment of bacterial infections. X-ray structures have identified two types of substrate-binding pockets in the porter domains of AcrB trimer: the proximal binding pocket (PBP) and the distal binding pocket (DBP) and suggest a functional rotating mechanism in which each protomer cycles consecutively through three distinct conformational states (access, binding and extrusion). However, the details of substrate binding and translocation between the binding pockets remain elusive. In this work, we performed atomic simulations to obtain the free energy profile of the translocation of an antibiotic drug doxorubicin (DOX) inside AcrB. Our simulation indicates that DOX binds at the PBP and DBP with comparable affinities in the binding state protomer and overcomes a 3 kcal/mol energy barrier to transit between them. Obvious conformational changes including closing of the PC1/PC2 cleft and shrinking of the DBP were observed upon DOX binding in the PBP, resulting in an intermediate state between the access and binding states. Taken together, the simulation results reveal a detailed stepwise substrate binding and translocation process in the framework of functional rotating mechanism.
A novel gap-PCR with high resolution melting analysis for the detection of α-thalassaemia Southeast Asian and Filipino β0-thalassaemia deletion
Authors: Leng Kho Siew , Heng Chua Kek , George Elizabeth , Tan Jin Ai Mary Anne
Published: September 2015

Homozygosity for the α-thalassaemia Southeast Asian (α-SEA) and Filipino β0-thalassaemia (β-FIL) deletions can cause serious complications leading to foetal death or life-long blood transfusions. A rapid and accurate molecular detection assay is essential in populations where the deletions are common. In this study, gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with high resolution melting (HRM) analysis was developed to detect both the large deletions. Melting curves at 86.9 ± 0.1 °C were generated by normal individuals without the α-SEA deletion, 84.7 ± 0.1 °C by homozygous α-SEA deletion individuals and two melting curves at 84.7 ± 0.1 °C and 86.9 ± 0.1 °C by α-SEA deletion carriers. Normal individuals without the β-FIL deletion produce amplicons with a melting temperature (Tm) at 74.6 ± 0.1 °C, homozygous β-FIL individuals produce amplicons with Tm at 73.6 ± 0.1 °C and heterozygous β-FIL individuals generate two amplicons with Tm at 73.6 ± 0.1 °C and 74.6 ± 0.1 °C. Evaluation using blinded tests on 220 DNA samples showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. The developed assays are sensitive and specific for rapid molecular and prenatal diagnosis for the α-SEA and β-FIL deletions.
Hong-Ou-Mandel Interference with a Single Atom
Authors: Ralley K. A. , Lerner I. V. , Yurkevich I. V.
Published: September 2015

The Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect is widely regarded as the quintessential quantum interference phenomenon in optics. In this work we examine how nonlinearity can smear statistical photon bunching in the HOM interferometer. We model both the nonlinearity and a balanced beam splitter with a single two-level system and calculate a finite probability of anti-bunching arising in this geometry. We thus argue that the presence of such nonlinearity would reduce the visibility in the standard HOM setup, offering some explanation for the diminution of the HOM visibility observed in many experiments. We use the same model to show that the nonlinearity affects a resonant two-photon propagation through a two-level impurity in a waveguide due to a “weak photon blockade” caused by the impossibility of double-occupancy and argue that this effect might be stronger for multi-photon propagation.
Adam-Gibbs model in the density scaling regime and its implications for the configurational entropy scaling
Authors: Masiewicz Elżbieta , Grzybowski Andrzej , Grzybowska Katarzyna , Pawlus Sebastian , Pionteck Jürgen , Paluch Marian
Published: September 2015

To solve a long-standing problem of condensed matter physics with determining a proper description of the thermodynamic evolution of the time scale of molecular dynamics near the glass transition, we have extended the well-known Adam-Gibbs model to describe the temperature-volume dependence of structural relaxation times, τα(T, V). We also employ the thermodynamic scaling idea reflected in the density scaling power law, τα = f(T−1V−γ), recently acknowledged as a valid unifying concept in the glass transition physics, to differentiate between physically relevant and irrelevant attempts at formulating the temperature-volume representations of the Adam-Gibbs model. As a consequence, we determine a straightforward relation between the structural relaxation time τα and the configurational entropy SC, giving evidence that also SC(T, V) = g(T−1V−γ) with the exponent γ that enables to scale τα(T, V). This important findings have meaningful implications for the connection between thermodynamics and molecular dynamics near the glass transition, because it implies that τα can be scaled with SC.
Emotional attention capture by facial expressions
Authors: Sawada Reiko , Sato Wataru
Published: September 2015

Previous studies have shown that emotional facial expressions capture visual attention. However, it has been unclear whether attentional modulation is attributable to their emotional significance or to their visual features. We investigated this issue using a spatial cueing paradigm in which non-predictive cues were peripherally presented before the target was presented in either the same (valid trial) or the opposite (invalid trial) location. The target was an open dot and the cues were photographs of normal emotional facial expressions of anger and happiness, their anti-expressions and neutral expressions. Anti-expressions contained the amount of visual changes equivalent to normal emotional expressions compared with neutral expressions, but they were usually perceived as emotionally neutral. The participants were asked to localize the target as soon as possible. After the cueing task, they evaluated their subjective emotional experiences to the cue stimuli. Compared with anti-expressions, the normal emotional expressions decreased and increased the reaction times (RTs) in the valid and invalid trials, respectively. Shorter RTs in the valid trials and longer RTs in the invalid trials were related to higher subjective arousal ratings. These results suggest that emotional facial expressions accelerate attentional engagement and prolong attentional disengagement due to their emotional significance.
Direct evidence on Ta-Metal Phases Igniting Resistive Switching in TaOx Thin Film
Authors: Kyu Yang Min , Ju Hyunsu , Hwan Kim Gun , Lee Jeon-Kook , Ryu Han-Cheol
Published: September 2015

A Ta/TaOx/Pt stacked capacitor-like device for resistive switching was fabricated and examined. The tested device demonstrated stable resistive switching characteristics including uniform distribution of resistive switching operational parameters, highly promising endurance and retention properties. To reveal the resistive switching mechanism of the device, micro structure analysis using high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) was performed. From the observation results, two different phases of Ta-metal clusters of cubic α-Ta and tetragonal β-Ta were founded in the amorphous TaOx mother-matrix after the device was switched from high resistance state (HRS) to low resistance state (LRS) by externally applied voltage bias. The observed Ta metal clusters unveiled the origin of the electric conduction paths in the TaOx thin film at the LRS.
Investigation of diffusion length distribution on polycrystalline silicon wafers via photoluminescence methods
Authors: Lou Shishu , Zhu Huishi , Hu Shaoxu , Zhao Chunhua , Han Peide
Published: September 2015

Characterization of the diffusion length of solar cells in space has been widely studied using various methods, but few studies have focused on a fast, simple way to obtain the quantified diffusion length distribution on a silicon wafer. In this work, we present two different facile methods of doing this by fitting photoluminescence images taken in two different wavelength ranges or from different sides. These methods, which are based on measuring the ratio of two photoluminescence images, yield absolute values of the diffusion length and are less sensitive to the inhomogeneity of the incident laser beam. A theoretical simulation and experimental demonstration of this method are presented. The diffusion length distributions on a polycrystalline silicon wafer obtained by the two methods show good agreement.
AlGaN/GaN Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor High-Electron-Mobility Transistor with Polarized P(VDF-TrFE) Ferroelectric Polymer Gating
Authors: Liu Xinke , Lu Youming , Yu Wenjie , Wu Jing , He Jiazhu , Tang Dan , Liu Zhihong , Somasuntharam Pannirselvam , Zhu Deliang , Liu Wenjun , Cao Peijiang , Han Sun , Chen Shaojun , Seow Tan Leng
Published: September 2015

Effect of a polarized P(VDF-TrFE) ferroelectric polymer gating on AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs) was investigated. The P(VDF-TrFE) gating in the source/drain access regions of AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMTs was positively polarized (i.e., partially positively charged hydrogen were aligned to the AlGaN surface) by an applied electric field, resulting in a shift-down of the conduction band at the AlGaN/GaN interface. This increases the 2-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) density in the source/drain access region of the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure and thereby reduces the source/drain series resistance. Detailed material characterization of the P(VDF-TrFE) ferroelectric film was also carried out using the atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and ferroelectric hysteresis loop measurement.
Robust half-metallicity and topological aspects in two-dimensional Cu-TPyB
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Zhao Mingwen
Published: September 2015

Half-metallicity due to the coexistence of metallic nature for one spin component and insulating nature for the other is a base of spintronics devices, but was only achieved in few materials. From first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that a recently-synthesized two-dimensional organometallic framework of 1,3,5-tris(pyridyl)benzene and Cu atoms (Cu-TPyB) has robust half-metallicity. High electron velocity in one spin channel at Dirac point and a relatively large band gap in the other make the material meeting the demand of filtering the current into a single spin component. Moreover, spin-orbit coupling induces topologically nontrivial band gaps in the vicinity of the Fermi level, which are implementable for achieving quantum anomalous Hall effect in a low temperature range (<8 K).
A feasibility study of multi-site,intracellular recordings from mammalian neurons by extracellular gold mushroom-shaped microelectrodes
Authors: Ojovan Silviya M. , Rabieh Noha , Shmoel Nava , Erez Hadas , Maydan Eilon , Cohen Ariel , Spira Micha E.
Published: September 2015

The development of multi-electrode array platforms for large scale recording of neurons is at the forefront of neuro-engineering research efforts. Recently we demonstrated, at the proof-of-concept level, a breakthrough neuron-microelectrode interface in which cultured Aplysia neurons tightly engulf gold mushroom-shaped microelectrodes (gMμEs). While maintaining their extracellular position, the gMμEs record synaptic- and action-potentials with characteristic features of intracellular recordings. Here we examined the feasibility of using gMμEs for intracellular recordings from mammalian neurons. To that end we experimentally examined the innate size limits of cultured rat hippocampal neurons to engulf gMμEs and measured the width of the “extracellular” cleft formed between the neurons and the gold surface. Using the experimental results we next analyzed the expected range of gMμEs-neuron electrical coupling coefficients. We estimated that sufficient electrical coupling levels to record attenuated synaptic- and action-potentials can be reached using the gMμE-neuron configuration. The definition of the engulfment limits of the gMμEs caps diameter at ≤2–2.5 μm and the estimated electrical coupling coefficients from the simulations pave the way for rational development and application of the gMμE based concept for in-cell recordings from mammalian neurons.