bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Linear Heart Rate Variability Indices in the Frequent Hemodialysis Network Trials of Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Ferrario Manuela , Raimann Jochen G. , Larive Brett , Pierratos Andreas , Thijssen Stephan , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Greene Tom , Cerutti Sergio , Beck Gerald , Chan Christopher , Kotanko Peter ,   the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Trial Group
Published: July 2015

Background: Non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) indices were hypothesized to correlate with cardiac function, fluid overload and physical performance in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Twenty-four-hour Holter electrocardiograms were recorded in patients enrolled in the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily Dialysis Trial. Correlations between non-linear HRV indices and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), extracellular volume (ECV)/total body water (TBW) ratio, the SF-36 Physical Health Composite (PHC) and Physical Functioning (PF) scores were tested. Results: We studied 210 subjects (average age 49.8 ± 13.5 years, 62% men, 42% diabetics). In non-diabetic patients, multiscale entropy (MSE) slope sample entropy (SampEn) and approximate entropy (ApEn) correlated positively with LVEF, PF and PHC and inversely with LVEDV and ECV/TBW. Spectral power slope correlated positively with ECV/TBW (r = 0.27). Irregularity measures (MSE ApEn and MSE SampEn) correlated positively with LVEDV (r = 0.19 and 0.20). Conclusion: Non-linear HRV indices indicated an association between a deteriorated heart rate regulatory system and impaired cardiac function, fluid accumulation and poor physical condition.
Insulin Modulates Liver Function in a Type I Diabetes Rat Model
Authors: Nolasco Eduardo L. , Zanoni Fernando L. , Nunes Fernanda P. B. , Ferreira Sabrina S. , Freitas Luiza A. , Silva Mariana C.F. , Martins Joilson O.
Published: July 2015

Background/Aims: Several studies have been performed to unravel the association between diabetes and increased susceptibility to infection. This study aimed to investigate the effect of insulin on the local environment after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats. Methods: Diabetic (alloxan, 42 mg/kg i.v., 10 days) and non-diabetic (control) male Wistar rats were subjected to a two-puncture CLP procedure and 6 h later, the following analyses were performed: (a) total and differential cell counts in peritoneal lavage (PeL) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids; (b) quantification of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 and CINC-2 in the PeL and BAL fluids by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); (c) total leukocyte count using a veterinary hematology analyzer and differential leukocyte counts on stained slides; (d) biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by colorimetric analyses); and (e) lung, kidney, and liver morphological analyses (hematoxylin and eosin staining). Results: Relative to controls, non-diabetic and diabetic CLP rats exhibited an increased in the concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, CINC-1, and CINC-2 and total and neutrophil in the PeL fluid. Treatment of these animals with neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin (NPH, 1IU and 4IU, respectively, s.c.), 2 hours before CLP procedure, induced an increase on these cells in the PeL fluid but it did not change cytokine levels. The levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and urea were higher in diabetic CLP rats than in non-diabetic CLP rats. ALP levels were higher in diabetic sham rats than in non-diabetic sham rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin completely restored ALT, AST, and ALP levels. Conclusion: These results together suggest that insulin attenuates liver dysfunction during early two-puncture CLP-induced peritoneal inflammation in diabetic rats.
Induction of Haemeoxygenase-1 Directly Improves Endothelial Function in Isolated Aortas from Obese Rats through the Ampk-Pi3k/Akt-Enos Pathway
Authors: Han Fang , Guo Ying , Xu Lili , Hou Ningning , Han Fei , Sun Xiaodong
Published: July 2015

Background: Induction of haemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) increases adiponectin secretion by remodeling adipose tissue in obesity. The objective of our study is to explore whether HO-1 induction directly improves endothelial function independent of adiponectin changes in obese rats. Methods: Rats were divided into control and obesity groups. Aortic endothelial function was determined by measuring endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (EDV). Vascular segments of the obese rats were incubated in an organ bath in the presence or absence of cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) or CoPP plus stannous protoporphyrin. Nitric oxide (NO) production, superoxide anion production and NF-κB p65 expression in the aorta were determined. The expression of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in endothelial cells was determined by western blotting. The aortic rings from the obese rats were then incubated with CoPP in the presence of specific inhibitors of AMPK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) or eNOS. Results: Acetylcholine-induced EDV was significantly attenuated in the obese rats, compared with the NC group (p < 0.05). Pre-incubation of vessels from obese rats with CoPP significantly increased EDV (p < 0.05). However, this beneficial effect of CoPP was partly attenuated in vitro in the presence of inhibitors of AMPK, PI3K or eNOS. HO-1 induction with CoPP significantly increased the activation of the AMPK-PI3K/Akt-eNOS pathway and NO production in parallel with reduced superoxide anion production and NF-κB p65 expression in obese rats. Conclusions: HO-1 induction with CoPP directly improved endothelial function in obese rats independent of adiponectin changes. The mechanism of this protective effect is related to increasing NO production by activation of the AMPK-PI3K/Akt-eNOS signaling pathway.
Diesel Exhaust Particles Induce Impairment of Vascular and Cardiac Homeostasis in Mice: Ameliorative Effect of Emodin
Authors: Nemmar Abderrahim , Al Dhaheri Rauda , Alamiri Jawaher , Al Hefeiti Suhaila , Al Saedi Hajar , Beegam Sumaya , Yuvaraju Priya , Yasin Javed , Ali Badreldin H.
Published: July 2015

Background/Aim: There is strong epidemiological and clinical evidence that components of the cardiovascular system are adversely affected by particulate air pollutants through the generation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone), which is commonly found in the roots of rhubarb plant, has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its possible protective effect on the cardiovascular effect of particulate air pollutants has never been reported before. Methods: We tested, in Tuck-Ordinary mice, the possible ameliorative effect of emodin on the acute (24h) cardiovascular effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP, 1 mg/kg) or saline (control). Emodin (4 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 1h before and 7h after pulmonary exposure to DEP. Twenty four h following DEP exposure, several cardiovascular endpoints were assessed. Results: Emodin significantly prevented the increase of leukocyte (n=8, P<0.001) and erythrocyte (n=8, P<0.01) numbers caused by DEP. Likewise, emodin abrogated DEP-induced increase of heart tissue levels of interleukin 1β (n=8, P<0.01) and tumour necrosis factor α (n=8, P<0.05), and significantly mitigated the change of the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (n=8, P<0.001) and glutathione reductase (n=8, P<0.05). Emodin abolished the in vivo prothrombotic effect of DEP in pial arterioles (n=6, P<0.01) and venules (n=6, P<0.001). Similarly, emodin prevented platelet aggregation in vitro in whole blood (n=4-5, P<0.01), and the shortening of activated partial thromboplastin time (n=4, P<0.001) and prothrombin time (n=4, P<0.01) caused by DEP. Conclusion: We conclude that emodin treatment has consistently protected against DEP-induced impairment of vascular and cardiac homeostasis in mice. Our study provides experimental evidence that the use of functional food such as emodin, pending further studies, can be considered a useful agent and may have the potential to protect or mitigate the cardiovascular detrimental effects observed in people living in cities with high concentrations of particulate air pollution.
Acceptance, Prevalence and Indications for Robot-Assisted Laparoscopy - Results of a Survey Among Urologists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Authors: Imkamp Florian , Herrmann Thomas R.W. , Tolkach Yuri , Dziuba Sebastian , Stolzenburg Jens U. , Rassweiler Jens , Sulser Tullio , Zimmermann Uwe , Merseburger Axel S. , Kuczyk Markus A. , Burchardt Martin
Published: July 2015

Background: Robotic-assisted laparoscopy (RAL) is being widely accepted in the field of urology as a replacement for conventional laparoscopy (CL). Nevertheless, the process of its integration in clinical routines has been rather spontaneous. Objective: To determine the prevalence of robotic systems (RS) in urological clinics in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the acceptance of RAL among urologists as a replacement for CL and its current use for 25 different urological indications. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the practice patterns of RAL, a survey at hospitals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland was conducted. All surgically active urology departments in Germany (303), Austria (37) and Switzerland (84) received a questionnaire with questions related to the one-year period prior to the survey. Results: The response rate was 63%. Among the participants, 43% were universities, 45% were tertiary care centres, and 8% were secondary care hospitals. A total of 60 RS (Germany 35, Austria 8, Switzerland 17) were available, and the majority (68%) were operated under public ownership. The perception of RAL and the anticipated superiority of RAL significantly differed between robotic and non-robotic surgeons. For only two urologic indications were more than 50% of the procedures performed using RAL: pyeloplasty (58%) and transperitoneal radical prostatectomy (75%). On average, 35% of robotic surgeons and only 14% of non-robotic surgeons anticipated RAL superiority in some of the 25 indications. Conclusions: This survey provides a detailed insight into RAL implementation in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. RAL is currently limited to a few urological indications with a small number of high-volume robotic centres. These results might suggest that a saturation of clinics using RS has been achieved but that the existing robotic capacities are being utilized ineffectively. The possible reasons for this finding are discussed, and certain strategies to solve these problems are offered.
Placento-Cranial Adhesions in Amniotic Band Syndrome and the Role of Surgery in Their Management: An Unusual Case Presentation and Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Menekse Guner , Mert Mustafa Kurthan , Olmaz Burak , Celik Tamer , Celik Umit Sizmaz , Okten Ali Ihsan
Published: July 2015

Amniotic band syndrome is a group of sporadic congenital anomalies that involve the limbs, craniofacial regions and trunk, ranging from simple digital band constriction to complex craniofacial and central nervous system abnormalities. Placento-cranial adhesions in amniotic band syndrome are extremely rare, and severe conditions are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we pooled placento-cranial adhesion case reports that were published in the medical literature and added an unpublished case from our institution. The purpose of this article was to review and discuss the clinical features and outcomes of placento-cranial adhesions in amniotic band syndrome.
Future Directions in the Study of Personality in Adulthood and Older Age
Authors: Leszko Magdalena , Elleman Lorien G. , Bastarache Emily D. , Graham Eileen K. , Mroczek Daniel K.
Published: July 2015

Over the past 20 years, empirical evidence has brought about a change in the view on how, or even whether, personality traits change or develop in adulthood and later life. Now we know personality can and does change for many people, if not most. Changes in personality may occur due to biological or environmental factors. This paper presents key empirical findings on personality change in adulthood and provides evidence that personality change affects mental and physical health. Our goal is to provide a broad overview on personality change research that would be an invaluable resource for students and researchers. We organize this paper into 3 sections. The first is focused on techniques in analyzing personality change in adulthood and later life. The second is focused on personality change as an outcome; we explore what factors predict personality change. The third discusses a relatively novel idea: personality change as a predictor of mental and physical health. We conclude that more research on factors predicting personality change is needed and we provide suggestions on how research on personality change can progress.
Early Discrimination between Transient and Permanent Congenital Hypothyroidism in Children with Eutopic Gland
Authors: Messina Maria Francesca , Aversa Tommaso , Salzano Giuseppina , Zirilli Giuseppina , Sferlazzas Concetta , De Luca Filippo , Lombardo Fortunato
Published: July 2015

Aim: To analyze the factors that might allow an early discrimination between permanent (P) and transient (T) congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Methods: Clinical, biochemical and imaging data of 64 children with eutopic gland, who were positively screened and treated for CH during the period 1998-2011, were retrospectively analyzed. Results: During a 3-year treatment period, the mean doses of L-thyroxine (L-T4) per kilogram of body weight at various times were significantly lower in the 46 children with T CH than in the remaining 18 with P CH. No patients with T CH had required any increment of the doses of L-T4 per kilogram of body weight to maintain normal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels over time, whereas 16/18 children with P CH during the same period had needed some dose increments (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: (a) L-T4 requirements >4.9 µg/kg/day at 12 months or >4.27 µg/kg/day at 24 months are highly suggestive of P CH, irrespective of gland ultrasonography; (b) L-T4 requirements <1.7 µg/kg/day at 12 months or <1.45 µg/kg/day at 24 months are highly suggestive of T CH, at least in the cases with eutopic gland, and (c) the analysis of L-T4 requirements during the first years of treatment might allow an early discrimination between T and P CH in the cases with eutopic gland.
Salt Sensitivity in Response to Renal Injury Requires Renal Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme
Authors: Giani Jorge F. , Bernstein Kenneth E. , Janjulia Tea , Han Jiyang , Toblli Jorge E. , Shen Xiao Z. , Rodriguez-Iturbe Bernardo , McDonough Alicia A. , Gonzalez-Villalobos Romer A.
Published: July 2015

Recent evidence indicates that salt-sensitive hypertension can result from a subclinical injury that impairs the kidneys’ capacity to properly respond to a high-salt diet. However, how this occurs is not well understood. Here, we showed that although previously salt-resistant wild-type mice became salt sensitive after the induction of renal injury with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride; mice lacking renal angiotensin-converting enzyme, exposed to the same insult, did not become hypertensive when faced with a sodium load. This is because the activity of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme plays a critical role in (1) augmenting the local pool of angiotensin II and (2) the establishment of the antinatriuretic state via modulation of glomerular filtration rate and sodium tubular transport. Thus, this study demonstrates that the presence of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme plays a pivotal role in the development of salt sensitivity in response to renal injury.
Implications of the Eighth Joint National Committee Guidelines for the Management of High Blood Pressure for Aging Adults
Authors: Miedema Michael D. , Lopez Faye L. , Blaha Michael J. , Virani Salim S. , Coresh Josef , Ballantyne Christie M. , Folsom Aaron R.
Published: July 2015

The recent 2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults from the Eight Joint National Committee Panel may significantly affect the aging US population. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of black and white participants in Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities who participated in the fifth study visit (2011–2013). Sitting blood pressure was calculated from the average of 3 successive readings taken after a 5-minute rest. Currently, prescribed antihypertensive medications were recorded by reviewing medication containers brought to the visit. Blood pressure control was defined using both the Seventh and Eighth Joint National Committee thresholds. Of 6088 participants (mean age, 75.6 [range, 66–90] years, 58.4% women; 23.2% black), 54.9% had either diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. The prevalence of hypertension according to Seventh Joint National Committee thresholds was 81.9%, and 62.8% of the entire sample were at blood pressure goal. Using the Eighth Joint National Committee thresholds, 79.4% were at blood pressure goal (16.6% were reclassified as at-goal). Reclassification was higher for individuals with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease (20.6%) when compared with individuals without either condition (11.6%). The use of antihypertensive medications in our cohort was high, with 75.0% prescribed at least 1 antihypertensive medication and 46.7% on ≥2 antihypertensive agents. In conclusion, in a US cohort of aging white and black individuals, ≈1 in 6 individuals were reclassified as having blood pressure at goal by Eighth Joint National Committee guidelines. Despite these less aggressive goals, >20% remain uncontrolled by the new criteria.
Reassessment of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Improves Renal Risk Stratification in Nondialysis Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Minutolo Roberto , Gabbai Francis B. , Chiodini Paolo , Garofalo Carlo , Stanzione Giovanna , Liberti Maria Elena , Pacilio Mario , Borrelli Silvio , Provenzano Michele , Conte Giuseppe , De Nicola Luca
Published: July 2015

In nondialysis chronic kidney disease, ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) performs better than clinic BP in predicting outcome, but whether repeated assessment of ABP further refines prognosis remains ill-defined. We recruited 182 consecutive hypertensive patients with nondialysis chronic kidney disease who underwent 2 ABPs 12 months apart to evaluate the enhancement in risk stratification provided by a second ABP obtained 1 year after baseline on the risk (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval) of composite renal end point (death, chronic dialysis, and estimated glomerular filtration rate decline ≥40%). The difference in daytime and nighttime systolic BP between the 2 ABPs (daytime and nighttime bias) was added to a survival model including baseline ABP. Net reclassification improvement was also calculated. Age was 65.6±13.4 years; 36% had diabetes mellitus and 36% had previous cardiovascular event; estimated glomerular filtration rate was 42.2±19.6 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, and clinic BP was 145±18/80±11 mm Hg. Baseline ABP (daytime, 131±16/75±10 and nighttime, 122±18/66±10 mm Hg) and daytime/nighttime BP goals (58.2% and 43.4%) did not change at month 12. Besides baseline ABP values, bias for daytime and nighttime systolic BP linearly associated with renal outcome (1.12, 1.04–1.21 and 1.18, 1.08–1.29 for every 5-mm Hg increase, respectively). Classification of patients at risk improved when considering nighttime systolic level at second ABP (net reclassification improvement, 0.224; 95% confidence interval, 0.005–0.435). Patients with first and second ABPs above target showed greater renal risk (2.15, 1.29–3.59 and 1.71, 1.07–2.72, for daytime and nighttime, respectively). In nondialysis chronic kidney disease, reassessment of ABP at 1 year further refines renal prognosis; such reassessment should specifically be considered in patients with uncontrolled BP at baseline.
Mass Media Campaigns’ Influence on Prehospital Behavior for Acute Coronary Syndromes: An Evaluation of the Australian Heart Foundation's Warning Signs Campaign
Authors: Bray Janet E. , Stub Dion , Ngu Philip , Cartledge Susie , Straney Lahn , Stewart Michelle , Keech Wendy , Patsamanis Harry , Shaw James , Finn Judith
Published: July 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the awareness of a recent mass media campaign, and its influence on knowledge and prehospital times, in a cohort of acute coronary syndrome (
ACS
) patients admitted to an Australian hospital.

Methods and Results

We conducted 199 semistructured interviews with consecutive
ACS
patients who were aged 35 to 75 years, competent to provide consent, and English speaking. Questions addressed the factors known to predict prehospital delay, awareness of the campaign, and whether it increased knowledge and influenced actions. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between campaign awareness and a 1‐hour delay in deciding to seek medical attention (patient delay) and a 2‐hour delay in presenting to hospital (prehospital delay). The median age was 62 years (
IQR
=53 to 68 years), and 68% (n=136) were male. Awareness of the campaign was reported by 127 (64%) patients, with most of these patients stating the campaign (1) increased their understanding of what is a heart attack (63%), (2) increased their awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart attack (68%), and (3) influenced their actions in response to symptoms (43%). After adjustment for other predictors, awareness of the campaign was significantly associated with patient delay time of ≤1 hour (adjusted odds ratio [
AOR
]=2.25, 95%
CI
: 1.03 to 4.91,
P
=0.04) and prehospital delay time ≤2 hours (
AOR
=3.11, 95%
CI
: 1.36 to 7.08,
P
=0.007).

Conclusions

Our study showed reasonably high awareness of the warning signs campaign, which was significantly associated with shorter prehospital decision‐making and faster presentation to hospital.
Sex Disparities in Stroke: Women Have More Severe Strokes but Better Survival Than Men
Authors: Dehlendorff Christian , Andersen Klaus Kaae , Olsen Tom Skyhøj
Published: July 2015

Background

Uncertainty remains about whether stroke affects men and women similarly. We studied differences between men and women with regard to stroke severity and survival.

Methods and Results

We used the Danish Stroke Registry, with information on all hospital admissions for stroke in Denmark between 2003 and 2012 (N=79 617), and the Danish Register of Causes of Death. Information was available on age, sex, marital status, stroke severity, stroke subtype, socioeconomic status, and cardiovascular risk profile. We studied only deaths due to the index stroke, with the assumption that death reported on death certificates as due to stroke was related to the index stroke if death occurred within the first week or month after stroke. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and multiple imputation were applied. Stroke was the cause of death for 4373 and 5512 of the 79 617 patients within 1 week (5.5%) or 1 month (6.9%), respectively. After the age of 60 years, women had more severe strokes than men. Up to ages in the mid‐60s, no difference in the risk of death from stroke was seen between the 2 sexes. For people aged >65 years, however, the risk gradually became greater in men than in women and significantly so (>15%) from the mid‐70s (adjusted for age, marital status, stroke severity, stroke subtype, socioeconomic status, and cardiovascular risk factors). Results were essentially the same when analyzing deaths within 1 week, 1 month and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke separately.

Conclusions

Stroke affects women and men differently. Elderly women were affected more severely than elderly men but were more likely to survive.
Recrafting Israel
Authors: Frank Nathan Dwight
Published: July 2015

This paper argues that the strong desire to ascribe the status of nation to the Israel of the Hebrew Bible – a tendency that makes sense in terms of how the biblical text is presented and in terms of contemporary discourse that seeks to advance theories of nations and nationalism – inevitably runs up against a number of theoretical challenges, which compound in light of biblical Israel’s antiquity. Given these challenges, I propose an approach to the nation whereby the biblical Israel is “recrafted” according to an “ethnotechnical” dynamic: a neologistic attempt to fuse the schools of nationalist theory such that a primarily modernist social-science theory of the biblical nation of Israel still finds traction in the antiquity of ethnosymbolism and primordialism. Following Donna Haraway’s literary assertion that “myth and tool mutually constitute each other” (a statement made in calling postmodern feminists to action), I argue that myth and artifice (and myth as artifice) combine in an ethnotechnical device by which nations are called to retroactively inscribe themselves, and then to continue reinscribing themselves. Such a move simultaneously enhances our biblical readings and informs our understanding of collective identities; in short, it satisfies the strong desire.
The Early Codex Book
Authors: Stanley Timothy
Published: July 2015

In 1933 Frederic Kenyon was one of the first to note the early Christian addiction to codex books. As later scholars confirmed, Christian communities reproduced their sacred literature in a way that differed from the largely scrolled Greco-Roman bibliographic cultures of the first centuries of the Common Era. Book historians and scholars of biblical literature alike have developed a range of competing theories in order to better understand this peculiarity. By evaluating their claims, a number of clarifications can be made in order to demonstrate the codex’s sensitivity to Jewish scribal practices as well as its capacity to include a cosmopolitan diversity of texts. Through these clarifications the codex book form itself can provide vital interpretative insights into early biblical literature and the longer history of the book today.
The Tutor’s Beard
Authors: van Emde Boas Evert
Published: July 2015

In this paper I discuss several cases of controversial speaker-line attribution in Greek tragedy, with the overall goal of showing that greater attention needs to be paid to gender-specific language in the business of textual criticism. Differences between male and female speech in Greek drama may offer crucial indications for the attribution of contested lines. I argue that the distribution of E.El.959-966 in the manuscripts should be maintained, primarily for two gender-related reasons: women in tragedy do not give commands to servants if free men are present, and the discussion of clothing at 966 is typical of Electra’s female concerns. For the first half of the ‘recognition duet’ between Helen and Menelaus at E.Hel.625-659, I argue, on the basis of recent work on male and female lyric, that 638-640 should be assigned to Helen, and that there is no need to avoid giving 636 or 654-655 to Menelaus because they are ‘too emotional’ for a man. In discussing these passages I seek to contribute to the growing understanding of the distinct characteristics of tragic male and female language, and to argue for the role that the study of those characteristics can play in textual criticism.
Pausanias in Corinth: Burying Medea’s Children
Authors: Abbenes Jelle
Published: July 2015

The author discusses the tradition preserved in the scholia on Euripides’Medea, namely that her children were buried in the sanctuary of Hera Akraia, comparing it with the statement of Pausanias, who claims to have seen a µνῆµα of Medea’s children in Corinth. He concludes that they are mutually exclusive. The sanctuary meant by the scholia must be that in Perachora, and by µνῆµα Pausanias definitely means ‘grave’. To solve the problem of having two graves for Medea’s children, he argues that the older, Euripidean tradition had been forgotten in Corinth in the 2nd centuryad(due to the destruction of both Corinth and the sanctuary of Hera Akraia by Mummius in 146bc) and that a new tradition with a new grave was invented. This kind of manipulation/reinterpretation of the material environment has its roots in the archaising tendency of the Second Sophistic.
Guido Terreni at Avignon and the “Heresies” of the Armenians
Authors: Bueno Irene
Published: July 2015

Despite the reduction of its sphere of influence, the Avignon papacy never ceased to implement new strategies in order to bring the Eastern Christian communities under Latin control. Theological discussions held at the Apostolic See on the Eastern Churches frequently resulted in anti-heretical treatises and lists of errors: these discussions were aimed at providing Church authorities with the necessary theoretical tools to confront other Churches’ views, but often produced mystifications and misinterpretations. Present at Avignon at the same time as FitzRalph and Barlaam of Seminara, the Carmelite bishop Guido Terreni (also known as Guy de Perpignan) includes a thorough discussion of the “errors” of Greeks, Jacobites, and Armenians in his Summa de haeresibus et earum confutationibus (ca. 1338–1342). This comprehensive and ambitious treatise, aimed at confronting all heresies of the past and present, on the model of Augustine’s De haeresibus, testifies to the misinterpretations and abuses of Eastern doctrines circulating among Western theologians. This article focuses especially on Terreni’s discussion of Armenian “heresies,” examining the different layers of his scarcely known Summa and placing the Carmelite’s contribution into the wider context of the disputes at both the Apostolic See and Cilician Armenia in the first half of the fourteenth century.
Pope, Council, and the Filioque in Western Theology, 1274–1439
Authors: Schabel Chris
Published: July 2015

The doctrine of the Filioque was officially determined at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, at the Second Council of Lyon in 1274 the determination was clarified, and this clarification was repeated in 1439 in the formulation of the Council of Florence. Yet the Filioque was already universally accepted in the Latin West by 1100, while the clarification at Lyon was the general teaching before 1274. Rather than establish doctrine, then, Innocent iii at Lateran iv and Gregory x at Lyon ii merely codified it, offering codifications that were later incorporated into canon law under Gregory ix and Boniface viii, respectively. A survey of several dozen university treatments of the procession of the Holy Spirit between 1274 and 1439 reveals that the conciliar pronouncements under the popes played little role in the discussion, and where they appear, it is usually as a brief statement of what was official. By the late fourteenth century, some theologians doubted that the Filioque as expressed in 1215 and 1274 could be defended rationally, an indication that convincing the Greeks at Florence to accept true dogmatic union would be impossible.
Armenia and Armenians In Het‘um’s Flos Historiarum Terre Orientis
Authors: Bais Marco
Published: July 2015

In 1307 Het‘um of Koṙikos, a close relative of the Armenian king of Cilicia, composed and presented to Pope Clement V an account on the geography and history of Asian lands, the Flos historiarum terre Orientis. This work was intended as a project for a new crusade, aimed at recovering the Holy Land with the help of Cilician Armenians and the military support of the Mongols. In Het‘um’s view, Armenians are central to this plan, since they are on good terms with the Mongols and they know how to negotiate with them. Het‘um’s representation of Armenia and Armenians aims at showing this pivotal role to his European audience. The Armenia mentioned in the first two books of the Flos historiarum is Greater Armenia, and it is portrayed as the place where the Mongols’ homeland (Asya Profunda) meets the Christian Near East (Asya Major), while Cilician Armenians are not only the mediators between Mongols and the Christian West, but also between Western and Eastern Christianity.
An Incomplete Integration into the Orbis Christianus
Authors: Weber Benjamin
Published: July 2015

Contacts between Ethiopia and the papacy may have developed since the twelfth century and are securely documented from the first half of the fourteenth century. Information and mutual knowledge, very vague at the beginning, slowly increased through merchants, missionaries, and official embassies; both sides learned from each other. But numerous misunderstandings remained and fabulous tales about Ethiopia were diffused in papal documents until the fifteenth century. This was caused, of course, by the difficulty of obtaining precise and genuine information about these remote lands but it was also the consequence of an intentional confusion and distortion of reality, fed by the papacy in order to highlight its universal power.
Armeno-Latin Intellectual Exchange in the Fourteenth Century
Authors: La Porta Sergio
Published: July 2015

This essay examines the scholarly interaction and competition between the Armenian and Latin intellectual traditions in the fourteenth century. During the course of the century, Franciscan and Dominican missionaries successfully converted a number of Armenians to Roman Catholicism. In order to do so, they brought a significant number of texts that were translated into Armenian. The Aristotelian focus of the Dominican tradition in particular constituted a central factor in the intellectual appeal of the library that accompanied the missionaries as well as in the conversion of Armenians to Roman Catholicism. The popularity of the texts and the movement towards union with Rome stimulated both a reaction and a reformation in the Armenian Apostolic monastic schools. While Armenian Apostolic monastic teachers labored stridently against their fellow Armenian converts, they also adapted and incorporated Latin exegetical, philosophical, and organizational traditions into the Armenian monastic school system.
A New Set of Glosses to the Latin Qurʾān Made by Nicholas of Cusa (ms Vat. Lat. 4071)
Authors: Gázquez José Martínez
Published: July 2015

Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa wrote the Cribatio Alkorani in Rome during the years 1459–1460 and dedicated it to Pius ii. In preparing this work, he used a new set of glosses made to the Alchoranus Latinus in ms Vat. Lat. 4071. These were different from the glosses in ms Kues 108, used to compose his previous work, De pace fidei, written in 1453.
Circular Migration between Fact and Fiction
Authors: Schneider Jan , Parusel Bernd
Published: July 2015

Political actors in the European Union and in the eu member states have arrived to maintain that managed circular migration can generate benefits both for the destination countries and for the countries of origin of the migrants. Despite the fact that Germany so far has barely engaged in fostering circular migration through distinct programmes, a not inconsiderable share of foreigners from third countries living in Germany today can be viewed as circular migrants. This paper takes an inventory of the extent and characteristics of such spontaneous back-and-forth cross border movements by providing a specific, clear-cut definition for circular migration and thus analysing stock data on third country nationals residing in Germany. Furthermore, we scrutinise the German legal framework with a view to its propensity to encourage patterns of circular migration.
An Empty Shell? The Protection of Social Rights of Third-Country Workers in the eu after the Single Permit Directive
Authors: Beduschi Ana
Published: July 2015

This article critically assesses the effectiveness of third-country nationals’ social rights protection in the eu following the adoption of Directive 2011/98/eu (‘the Single Permit Directive’). This instrument establishes a single permit for work and residence and sets up a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State. This article argues that despite being an important instrument allowing for a better protection of social rights of third-country nationals, the directive still reveals significant inconsistencies. First, due to difficult negotiations at the Council, the final text of the directive maintains the fragmented approach to legal immigration, excluding several categories of third-country nationals from its personal scope. Second, it also allows Member States the opportunity to impose important restrictions on social rights while implementing the directive. Finally, these restrictions can have considerable implications for the integration of immigrants in the host Member State. Accordingly, the argument is advanced that in reality the protection of third-country workers’ social rights in the eu still largely depends on the Member States’ political will.
Salafism in Somalia: Coping with Coercion, Civil War and its Own Contradictions
Authors: Marchal Roland , Sheikh Zakaria M.
Published: July 2015

Salafism in Somalia has to cope with violence for most of its duration, whether this violence was exercised against its supporters or whether had violence was seen as a way for some Salafi trends to survive the supremacy of armed groups and the military intervention of external players. Its existence was possible only because its supporters found ways to escape, enforce, or neutralize violence using social mechanisms that eventually had a strong impact on their own understanding of Islam. In particular, it has proven to be a resilient ideology despite the failure of its political expressions in the 1990s or the growth of a Jihadi movement opposed by regional states and western allies.
Taxonomy and chorology of Corbichonia (Lophiocarpaceae s.l.) with further description of a new species from Southern Africa
Authors: Sukhorukov Alexander P. , Kushunina Maria
Published: July 2015

A re-examination of the herbarium material has allowed to describe a new species, Corbichonia exellii, occurring in Southern Africa (Angola, Namibia and South Africa). C. exellii represents the third species in the genus. Morphological differences between all three Corbichonia species (C. decumbens, C. rubriviolacea, and C. exellii) are provided. The description of the genus is defined using the newly discovered characters (reproductive features). The taxonomy of all Corbichonia species (synonyms included) is provided, as well as maps for all species. The lectotypes of Orygia decumbens (basionym of Corbichonia decumbens) and O. mucronata (synonym of C. decumbens) are designated on specimens preserved, respectively, at BM and K. The genus Corbichonia, recently placed in Lophiocarpaceae, is markedly different from the core genus Lophiocarpus on the basis of embryological, morphological and carpological characters, and deserves further investigation concerning its taxonomic status.
New combinations for two species of Galium (Rubiaceae) from southern Brazil
Authors: De Toni Karen Lucia Gama , Mariath Jorge Ernesto de Araújo
Published: July 2015

In order to update accurately the list of Galium species in the Brazilian Flora Checklist, it is necessary to propose some new combinations. For these species, the geographic distribution is noted, along with comments on morphological features, and discussion on their relationship with other taxa.
Redescription of Clitocybe umbrinopurpurascens (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) and revision of Neohygrophorus and Pseudoomphalina
Authors: Lavorato Carmine , Vizzini Alfredo , Ge Zai-Wei , Contu Marco
Published: July 2015

Clitocybe umbrinopurpurascens, a rare species thus far known only from Morocco, is redescribed based on fresh collections made in Calabria (South Italy). Photographs of fresh material and drawings of the main micromorphological features of the species are provided. The type collection, in poor condition and not suitable for molecular analysis, was restudied macro- and micromorphologically and was found fully identical with the collections from Calabria. Based on molecular data, this species  belongs to the genus Pseudoomphalina (type Omphalia kalchbrenneri) and the genus Neohygrophorus is treated as a synonym of Pseudoomphalina. A collection from Calabria is chosen as an epitype for P. umbrinopurpurascens. Our morphological and molecular revision of other Pseudoomphalina species did not provide evidence supporting the placement of  Agaricus pachyphyllus in Pseudomphalina, or any other of the allied genera, therefore, for this species the new genus Pseudolaccaria is introduced. As there are no extant original herbarium specimens, a lectotype and epitype for Omphalia kalchbrenneri and a neotype for Agaricus pachyphyllus are designated.
Salvia semiscaposa (Lamiaceae) a new species from Nanchititla, Mexico
Authors: Fragoso-Martínez Itzi , Martínez-Gordillo Martha , De Luna Efraín
Published: July 2015

A new species of Salvia section Lavanduloideae from the Estado de México is described and illustrated. Salvia semiscaposa is a procumbent plant morphologically similar to S. scaposa and S. helianthemifolia. It differs from the former by having mostly obovate leaf blades, more than six flowers per verticillaster and posterior calyx lobes narrower and apiculate. On the other hand, S. helianthemifolia differs from the new species by the presence of an erect stem, ovate leaves and trichomes on the calyx surface distributed only on the veins.
Deciphering the Neotropical Bignonia binata species complex (Bignoniaceae)
Authors: Zuntini Alexandre Rizzo , Taylor Charlotte M , Lohmann Lucia G
Published: July 2015

Bignonia is a genus of 28 species of Neotropical lianas. Most species are clearly characterized by morphological features, monophyletic and narrowly distributed. However Bignonia binata is polymorphic, polyphyletic and broadly distributed, from Mexico to Argentina. A detailed morphological survey of B. binata in the light of geographical and ecological data in its current circumscription recovered two clearly distinct morphological groups of plants. One group is found in Argentina, Paraguay and the Atlantic forest of Brazil, and characterized by non-winged stems, usually terminal inflorescences, usually non-glandular calyces, pantoaperturate pollen, narrowly elliptic fruits, and 1-winged seeds. The second group occurs in Central America and Amazonia and is characterized by winged young stems, usually axillary inflorescences, glandular calyces, inaperturate pollen, widely elliptic to circular fruits, and wingless seeds. The first group of plants corresponds to B. binata and the second group is recognized as another species, B. noterophila. Synonyms, morphology, distributions, and ecology are detailed for these newly circumscribed species. Lectotypes are designated for B. noterophila and several synonyms: Adenocalymma ocositense, Arrabidaea schumanniana, and Petastoma laurifolium.
Reestablishment of Hymenaea travassii (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae), a species endemic to the Bolivian Chaco
Authors: Pinto Rafael Barbosa , Mansano Vidal De Freitas , Tozzi Ana Maria Goulart de Azevedo
Published: July 2015

In Lee & Langenheim’s taxonomic revision of the genus Hymenaea (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae), the species Hymenaea travassii was considered a species of dubious status.  A detailed analysis of the type material and additional specimens, clearly indicates, however, that this is a distinct species, endemic to the Bolivian “chaco”. The species can be distinguished by a combination of its habit, the texture of the bark and the shape and size of its leaflets. This study proposes the reestablishment of Hymenaea travassii as a distinct species, based on morphology. A species description, a key to distinguish Hymenaea travassii from related species, and a summary of its geographical distribution are presented, together with an illustration.
Australian Marsh Beetles (Coleoptera: Scirtidae). 8. The new genera
Cygnocyphon, Eximiocyphon, Paracyphon, Leptocyphon, Tectocyphon,
and additions to Contacyphon de Gozis, Nanocyphon Zwick and Eurycyphon Watts
Authors: ZWICK PETER
Published: July 2015

New monotypic genera proposed are: Cygnocyphon ibex n. gen., n. sp., Eximiocyphon excisus n. gen., n. sp., and Paracyphon avicularis n. gen., n. sp. Also proposed are the new genera Leptocyphon n. gen., with L. furcalonga, n. sp. and L. quadricornutus, n. sp., Tectocyphon n. gen., with T. microphallus n. sp., T. hirsutus n. sp., and T. victoriae n. sp. The diagnosis of genus Eurycyphon Watts is amended, E. fulvus Watts and E. aquilus Watts are partly redescribed. New species are: Eurycyphon barringtoni n. sp., E. castaneus n. sp., E. falcatus n. sp., E. parvus n. sp., E. perlatus n. sp., E. thunguttii, n. sp., E. tomweiri n. sp., and E. tricornis n. sp. Species of Nanocyphon are discussed and N. tasmanicus n. sp. is described. Contacyphon forcipatus n. sp. is described and an apparently introduced population of the European Contacyphon putonii Gozis is reported from West Australia. For comparison with some of the new taxa the redescription of Pseudomicrocara orientalis Armstrong, type species of the genus, is supplemented.
The tadpole of the Lake Oku clawed frog Xenopus longipes (Anura; Pipidae)
Authors: TAPLEY BENJAMIN , MICHAELS CHRISTOPHER J , DOHERTY-BONE THOMAS M.
Published: July 2015

Xenopus longipes Loumont and Kobel, 1991 is an aquatic polyploid frog endemic to the high altitude crater lake, Lake Oku in North West region, Cameroon (Loumont & Kobel 1991). The tadpole of X. longipes is currently undescribed. So far, only dead tadpoles have been found at Lake Oku during regular monitoring since 2008 (Doherty-Bone et al. 2013), with specimens too decomposed to make adequate descriptions. Captive breeding provides one opportunity to obtain fresh specimens for description.
Four new species of Moneuptychia (Lepidoptera: Satyrinae: Euptychiina) from Brazil
Authors: FREITAS ANDRÉ V. L. , BARBOSA EDUARDO P. , SIEWERT RICARDO R. , MIELKE OLAF. H. H. , ZACCA THAMARA , AZEREDO-ESPIN ANA MARIA L.
Published: July 2015

This paper describes four new species of Moneuptychia as follows: M. montana Freitas, M. vitellina Freitas & Barbosa, M. pervagata Freitas, Siewert & Mielke and M. wahlbergi Freitas, Barbosa, Siewert & Mielke from south and southeastern Brazil. Details are presented on the morphology of adults of all species, and immature stages for two species, and we discuss the taxonomy and identification of the genus Moneuptychia. The mitochondrial CoxI “barcode” region was used for exploring the utility of this DNA marker to identify these species, giving strong support for all new species.
Note on the genus Neacanista Gressitt, 1940 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Acanthocinini)
Authors: HUANG GUI-QIANG , LIU BIN , GOUVERNEUR XAVIER
Published: July 2015

Taxonomic notes on the genus Neacanista Gressitt are presented. Hoploranomimus Breuning, 1959 and Paracanthocinus Breuning, 1965a are recognized as new synonyms of Neacanista Gressitt, 1940. Discussions regarding the type locality of Neacanista harmandi (Pic, 1939) and the taxonomic status of Neacanista shirakii (Mitono, 1943) are provided. A key to Neacanista species is presented.