bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age Qualification and the Venetian Constitution: the Case of the Capello Family
Authors: Law John Easton
Published: August 2013

Marino Sanudo in the introduction to his description of Venice and its constitution told Doge Agostino Barbarigo what every patriot already knew: ‘in verità, principe sublime, tal e tanto è il nome de la città de Venetia, che, dirò cussì, per tutto il mondo n’ è fatto grande estimatione; quelli che non l'hanno veduta, bramano di vederla et intender come si governi; quelli l'hanno veduta, non finiscono di lodarla’. This article continues the interest, but is less concerned with praise. It is based on a series of incidents in the history of one branch of the Capello family in the second quarter of the fifteenth century, showing how the age qualifications built into the constitution of which Sanudo was so proud could be abused, how family interest could be stronger than observance of the law. In Italian medieval history this point has been made before; but historians of the Venetian constitution have been concerned with the roles of councils and magistracies, or with the ideas of Venetian and foreign political theorists. They have been less concerned with the actual conduct of Venetian nobles. The present study of the political behaviour of the Capello family has for its point of departure a document of 28 June 1428 from theAntico Archivio del Comuneof the Archivio di Stato at Verona. The archives of Verona, like those of otherterrafermacities once subject to Venetian rule, contain much administrative material, not preserved in Venice, which can be used to illustrate the workings of Venetian magistracies and the political conduct and family interests of Venetian nobles.
A Trial Excavation at Monte d'Irsi, Basilicata
Authors: Whitehouse D. B , Cotton M. Aylwin , Cherry John F.
Published: August 2013

Monte d'Irsi is located approximately 6·5 km. east-southeast of the town of Irsina and 4 km. due west of the village of Santa Maria d'Irsi in the region of Basilicata. The archaeological site sits on the crown of an irregularly shaped plateau at around 480 m. above sea level; the land drops away steeply in all directions and the hill-sides are heavily eroded by stream beds which feed into the two major rivers in the area, the Bradano and the Basentello (Figs. 1 and 2 and Pl. XXVII, a). M. d'Irsi lies about 7·5 km. north-west of the confluence of the two, and since it is the highest point for 6 or 7 km. round about, forms an imposing feature of the landscape. No doubt it is this fact, connected with the proximity of M. d'Irsi to the very important Bradano valley (3 km. distant) that made the M. d'Irsi plateau a prime candidate for settlement even in prehistoric times and presumably in times of stress.
Ancient Roads between Venosa and Gravina
Authors: Vinson Peter
Published: August 2013

This paper presents the results of a topographic survey carried out between Gravina and Venosa during 1968–70, under the direction of the British School at Rome (Fig. 1). The purposes of the survey were manifold. In the first place, we wanted to determine whether this area in south-east Italy was rich enough archaeologically to justify a more intensive programme of exploration and excavation. This proved to be the case.

As a focal point for the initial exploration, we wanted also to trace the route of the Via Appia between Venosa and Gravina. Venosa was Venusia, an important town on the Via Appia, and it seemed very probable that Gravina was Silvium (see Botromagno (1966), 133, 135 and later, p. 86f.), located some 35 Roman miles to the east according to the Peutinger Table. Finally, we wanted to gain as much archaeological information as possible about the area in the course of the search for the ancient road.

The interpretation of the results of the survey can only be very tentative at this stage. Quite apart from the fact that the area has by no means been completely explored, facilities and leisure have been lacking for thorough research on the finds. These range from the Neolithic to late Roman Imperial, and I am by no means an expert in all of these periods.
The Via Gabina
Authors: Ward-Perkins John , Kahane Anne
Published: August 2013

The road which is the subject of this article was first drawn to our attention in the winter of 1963–64 by Professor Dinu Adamesteanu, then Director of the Aerofototeca del Ministero. The area concerned, between the Via Prenestina and the Via Casilina, was already threatened with the development which has since overwhelmed large tracts of the periphery, and in the spring and summer of 1964 we made a number of field trips to record what could then be seen of the road itself and of the sites immediately adjoining it. Shortly afterwards, on learning that the topographical record of this whole area had been placed in the capable hands of Dr. Lorenzo Quilici, the results of whose work will shortly appear in a volume of the Forma Italiae, we turned our attention elsewhere. (Plate XVIII; Fig. 1.)

Since then indiscriminate building has in fact engulfed large stretches of the Via Prenestina; the banks of the Fosso di Pratolungo (Fosso di Ponte di Nona) have been savagely quarried for tufa, and the Ponte di Nona, the finest Roman bridge of the whole Campagna, has become the epicentre of a vast municipal garbage dump.
An Umbrian Abbey: San Paolo di Valdiponte, Part Two
Authors: Werner A. E. , Craddock P. T. , Blagg T. F. C. , Blake H. McK. , Luttrell A. T.
Published: August 2013

In 1971 a joint programme of research into the history, architecture and archaeology of the now ruined Abbey was organised under the direction of Dr. A. T. Luttrell, then Assistant Director of the British School at Rpme. The historical survey, by Dr. Luttrell with assistance from Miss Ishbel Adams, and the architectural study of the existing remains, by Dr. F. K. B. Toker, have already been published (Luttrell, Toker and Adams, 1972: cited below as Part I). The preface to that report sets out the aims of the whole project and its background. The archaeological excavations were planned to supply information about those parts of the Abbey's structure no longer visible above ground, the earlier stages of its construction, and concerning the life of its inhabitants; it was also hoped that from the pottery found in the excavations a local ceramic series might be constructed. The excavations were carried out on behalf of the British School at Rome, in 1971 and 1972 under the direction of Hugo Blake assisted by Tom Blagg, and in 1973 under the direction of Tom Blagg, who has been responsible for editing the present report.
The Ancient Roads of Southeastern Lucania
Authors: Buck R.J.
Published: August 2013

The area under study comprises the southeastern section of Lucania bounded on the north by the high land separating the Bradano and Basento valleys, on the south by the Agri River, on the west approximately by a line from Vaglio to Grumento and on the east by a line from Tursi to Miglionico. This paper forms a part of a general survey of the ancient routes of Lucania and Apulia.

The literary sources offer in the area under consideration very limited assistance in ascertaining the location of any routes, but they may shed some light on the date and distribution of some settlements and their road networks. The main tools are air photography and autopsy.

The extremely rugged terrain imposes stringent limits on possible locations of the ancient roads, so that many are fairly easy to follow. Erosion, however, has been extensive, and in some areas the precise line of an ancient road is impossible to recover.
The Medieval Pottery from S. Cornelia
Authors: Whitehouse David
Published: August 2013

S. Cornelia (863583), 15 kilometres north of Rome and midway between Veii and Formello (Figure 1), was rediscovered in 1958 during the South Etruria Survey and excavated by Charles Daniels in 1962–4. It was identified immediately as the domusculta of Capracorum, established by Hadrian I c. 780 (Ward-Perkins 1963: 38; Kahane et al. 1968: 161–4). The site is of lasting importance. Apart from its exceptional intrinsic interest, it provided the first type series of medieval pottery in Lazio and the only fixed (or apparently fixed) points in the chronology of Forum ware and pottery with sparse glaze, both of which are important elements in the debate about the development of early medieval settlement (Luttrell 1975: 271–2; Wickham 1978: 172–9). This paper is an account of the pottery and the evidence for its date.
A Calendar of the Diplomas of the Norman Princes of Capua
Authors: Loud G. A.
Published: August 2013

UNA LISTA DI DIPLOMI DEI PRINCIPI NORMANNI DI CAPUA

L'articolo si divide in due parti. La prima contiene una cronologia delle pergamene tuttora esistenti dei principi normanni di Capua e della loro cerchia famigliare più stretta. La seconda tratta della cancelleria dei principi, della preservazione e trasmissione dei loro documenti, e del tipo di patrocinio rivelato da questi documenti. La cancelleria non fu mai molto attiva, ed in tempi normali non prevedeva la presenza di più di un notaio. Ciononostante i documenti ivi compilati e soprawissuti costituiscono una fonte storica di primaria importanza, indebitamente trascurata dagli studiosi moderni. Poichè non tutti questi documenti sono stati pubblicati, questo calendario rappresenta un'iniziativa di prima necessità, tanto più che le poche pubblicazioni esistenti sono molto disperse e difficili da rintracciare.
Un Decor Architectonique du IIe Siecle en Afrique Proconsulaire (Tunisie): Les Vestiges du Capitole de Numlulis: A La Memoire Du Professeur J. B. Ward-Perkins
Authors: Ferchiou Naidè
Published: August 2013

UNA DECORAZIONE ARCHITETTONICA DEL II SECOLO NELL'AFRICA PROCONSOLARE (TUNISIA): LE VESTIGIA DEL CAMPIDOGLIO DI NUMLULIS

Il campidoglio di Numlulis fu costruito nel 170 d.C. in una localitá che era, da un punto di vista amministrativo, un pagus dipendente da Cartagine. Lo studio della decorazione (basi, fusti, soffitti ornati di volute e di un fregio di armi, architravi, cornici) permette di fare paragoni con la vicina cittá di Thugga, che é anch'essa un pagus di Cartagine, e con altre regioni della provincia. Si tratta dunque di un aspetto particolare di una ricerca piú generale sui laboratori della Africa Proconsolare e sulla loro ubicazione.
The ‘Cella Solearis’ of the Baths of Caracalla: A Reappraisal
Authors: DeLaine Janet
Published: August 2013

LA ‘CELLA SOLEARIS’ DELLE TERME DI CARACALLA: UNA NUOVA VALUTAZIONE

‘Tra le sue opere a Roma, egli ha lasciato le magnifiche terme che portano il suo nome, la cella solearis che gli architetti dicono non possa essere imitata quanto a costruzione. Perchè si dice che graticci di bronzo o di rame erano posti sopra (sotto), ai quali è affidata tutta la volta e tanto grande è la campata che esperti ingegneri dicono che non poteva essere fatto. SHA, Vita Ant. Cara., IX, 4–5. Questo articolo dà una nuova valutazione delle teorie esistenti sul significato di questo brano controverso, e propone una nuova soluzione del problema. Prima di tutto la cella solearis viene identificata con il caldarium sulla base della testimonianza di iscrizioni che fanno riferimento a una cella soliaris. In secondo luogo viene presentata la testimonianza sull'uso di barre di metallo nella volta di calcestruzzo del caldarium, altrimenti normale, e viene suggerito che queste possono avere sostenuto un soffitto con graticcio di bronzo. Infine il brano stesso viene preso nuovamente in considerazione e viene suggerita un'altra traduzione della parte critica che può conciliarsi con la nuova interpretazione strutturale della cella solearis.
Le Mausolée de Q. Apuleus Maxssimus à El Amrouni
Authors: Ferchiou Naidè
Published: August 2013

IL MAUSOLEO DI Q. APULEUS MAXSSIMUS A EL AMROUNI

Il mausoleo di El Amrouni (Tunisia), nel mostrare associati elementi pertinenti ad ambiti culturali tra loro differenti, fornisce una testimonianza di grande interesse per la conoscenza della “civilizzazione del limes”. Il proprietario del sepolcro e la sua famiglia, di origine indigena, sono ricordati in due iscrizioni: una in latino, l'altra in neopunico. Il monumento, in forma di torre, presenta grandi bassorilievi con scene mitologiche di ispirazione greco-latina piuttosto che non semitica od orientale (Orfeo con animali selvaggi; Orfeo agli Inferi; Ercole ed Alcesti), insieme al ritratto dei defunti. Altre scene mitologiche ornavano l'epistilio (Licurgo nell'atto di tagliare le viti; figura di un genio e rami di acanto). Agli angoli della torre si trovano pilastri di stile corinzio. Gli elementi epigrafici e la decorazione architettonica permettono di collocare il mausoleo alia fine del I sec. d.C. o nel primo terzo del II sec. Il sepolcro di questa famiglia associa dunque elementi culturali tra loro contraddittori rivelando così la propria pertinenza ad una cultura punico-libica nella lingua e greco-romana nella iconografia.
The Zeno chapel: a prayer for salvation
Authors: Mackie Gillian
Published: August 2013

LA CAPPELLA DI S. ZENO: UNA PREGHIERA PER LA SALVEZZA

Il programma decorativo del mosaico di nono secolo della cappella di S. Zeno in Santa Prassede a Roma dove è sepolta Teodora, madre di Papa Pasquale I (817–824), è analizzato nella tradizione iconografica dei suoi componenti e nel senso specifico della composizione nel suo insieme. Il significato sotteso è identificato come intimemente connesso al tema della salvezza di Teodora. Tutti gli elementi del programma decorativo fanno riferimento alia sua morte, ai riti funerari, alle intercessioni dei suoi santi protettori, ed al suo destino nel giorno del giudizio. Il programma in se' è riconosciuto come bizantino e fondato sui dettati del secondo concilio di Nicea del 787. La fattura, invece, è romana ed i moduli iconografici furono scelti nel repertorio tipico dell'arte cristiana delle origini in Italia.

Il tipo di composizione scelto da Pasquale I per la decorazione mosaica che, tra quelle conservate, riveste un significato maggiormente personale, rivela un aspetto nuovo del suo mecenatismo, fino ad ora ritenuto di natura essenzialmente antiquaria ed interessato alia riproposizione delle glorie della Chiesa critstiana delle origini in Roma. Per la cappella di S. Zeno, al contrario, Pasquale I scelse una moderna composizione di stile orientale per il luogo di sepoltura della madre, unico esempio sopravvissuto di un suo mecenatismo di natura maggiormente privata che officiale.
The food refuse of an affluent urban household in the late fourteenth century: faunal and botanical remains from the Palazzo Vitelleschi, Tarquinia (Viterbo)
Authors: Clark Gillian , Costantini Lorenzo , Finetti Angelo , Giorgi John , Jones Andrew , Reese David , Sutherland Sheila , Whitehouse David
Published: August 2013

RIFIUTI ALIMENTARI DI UNA RICCA FAMIGLIA CITTADINA NEL TARDO SECOLO QUATTORDICESIMO: RESTI FAUNISTICI E BOTANICI DAL PALAZZO VITELLESCHI, TARQUINIA (VITERBO)

Gli scavi condotti dalla British School at Rome nel Palazzo Vitelleschi in Tarquinia hanno fornito una quantità considerevole di dati faunistici e botanici, molti dei quali relativi al “proto-palazzo” del tardo sec. XIV. Le analisi del materiale qui presentate permettono di ricostruire in maniera abbastanza dettagliata il regime alimentare di una ricca e privilegiata famiglia urbana: tale esempio non può dunque essere assunto come rappresentativo in generale del tenore di vita diffuso nell'Italia centrale in età medievale. Alcuni elementi testimoniano come gli abitanti del proto-palazzo siano stati colpiti da una malattia, forse peste. E' stato possibile estendere il quadro ottenuto da questo particolare contesto e mettere in relazione l'economia di questa famiglia con l'organizzazione della produzione agricola nella compagna circostante. Le conoscenze offerte dai dati faunistici e botanici sul tipo di vita condotta nel medioevo sono paragonati e messi a confronto con le testimonianze documentarie relative alia dieta ed alla agricoltura medievale in Italia, anch'esse relative in gran parte alle classi più alte della società.
Archiatri and the Medical Profession in Antiquity
Authors: Nutton Vivian
Published: August 2013

How far there was ever in classical antiquity a public health service, organised and paid for by the state, has been often debated by both doctors and classical scholars, with conflicting results. For fifth and fourth century Greece the amount of evidence available is insufficient to permit any certainty, but there can be no doubt that in the Hellenistic age individual cities offered special privileges in order to secure the residence of a qualified physician. But whether and in what ways such a system was carried over into the very different society of the Roman empire, and still more into that of late antiquity, are questions which have never been satisfactorily answered, and the authority of the Roman part of Pohl's dissertationDe graecorum medicis publicis, despite its increasing age, has never been seriously challenged—indeed, some more recent studies have only highlighted by contrast its high level of accuracy, judgement and, for its time, comprehensiveness. However, the discovery of three new inscriptions ofarchiatrifrom Aphrodisias affords an opportunity to re-examine the institution of public doctors in the Roman empire and thereby to throw light upon a professional designation,archiatros/archiater, which has troubled scholars ever since Herodian the grammarian attempted to settle the position of its Greek accent. By surveying the evidence according to the varied societies in which thearchiatripractised—the courts, the Eastern cities, the West and Rome in late antiquity, Constantinople and Roman and Byzantine Egypt—a much clearer picture of the spread of public doctors can be obtained without introducing anachronistic or extraneous attitudes and institutions to provide a single uniform pattern of development.
Genoa and the Security of the Seas: the Mission of Babilano Lomellino in 1350
Authors: Abulafia David
Published: August 2013

For Genoa the ‘crisis of the fourteenth century’ had political as well as economic reality; the strife within the city and its colonies of Guelfs and Ghibellines was mirrored in its diplomatic affairs, as Genoa searched for friends in Guelf Naples or Ghibelline Sicily. The appearance of Catalan naval power presented a direct threat to Genoese shipping, however peaceful the intent of the latter might be; and attempts at co-operation between Genoa and Venice foundered on the banks of suspicion and envy. Commercial recession brought serious worry to what was still a trading, rather than industrial, centre, and there was a reluctance to waste valuable naval resources in attempts to eliminate Venetian or Catalan rivals. This attitude was not confined to Genoa, and perhaps explains why the western trading cities were more anxious to settle their differences by negotiation and compromise than they had been in the thirteenth century. Severest problem of all was that of the ‘pestifferam mortalitatem mundo totali occursam’; in the years immediately following the arrival of the Black Death (1347) the maritime cities found themselves suddenly deprived of invaluable manpower, and yet, paradoxically, they were not without the means to pay for the services of sailors and ship-builders if only these men could be found. Money, the money of dead men, there was in plenty; but neither the Genoese nor the Venetians knew how to adapt to the rapid change in the structure of demand that the pestilence engendered.
Insediamenti di epoca sannitica nel territorio circostante la Valle del Torrente Tappino (Campobasso, Molise): II. Gildone: Mortalità, stress nutrizionali e da attività lavorativa in un campione di sanniti del V–IV sec. a.C.
Authors: Petrone Pier Paolo
Published: August 2013

SAMNITE SETTLEMENT IN AND AROUND THE TAPPINO VALLEY (CAMPOBASSO, MOLISE)

The first part of the paper reviews the evidence for prehistoric, Samnite and Roman settlement and land-use in the Tappino valley region, and discusses in detail two sites at Cercemaggiore-Gildone: a Samnite farmstead abandoned probably in the second century BC, and a nearby cemetery of the fifth to fourth centuries BC, which may be associated with the first phase of occupation at the farmstead.

The demography, dental pathology, nutritional state and work-induced lesions of the cemetery population (23 individuals) are analysed in the second part of the paper. High frequencies of oral lesions, especially in females, can be related to a poor, high-carbohydrate diet. Diseases of the joints and bone fractures indicate heavy physical activities, particularly in men.

The evidence suggests that agriculture was the most important economic activity of this population. The sample is compared with others from central-southern Italy and a number of close correspondences emerge. It would appear that socio-economic changes, including differences in territorial organisation and subsistence activities, brought about a worsening of the general health of the human population.
Le anfore di Spello nelleRegiones VIeVII
Authors: Lapadula Erminia
Published: August 2013

AMPHORAE OF SPELLO TYPE INREGIONES VIANDVII

‘Amphorae of Spello type’, produced in inland central Italy during the first and second centuries AD, form part of the Italic production of wine containers of the early and middle Imperial periods, alongside production in the central-southern tyrrhenian area (‘Falernian amphorae’) and in the central-southern adriatic area (‘Forlimpopoli amphorae’). In this paper the preliminary results of an archaeological and archaeometric study undertaken of fragments of amphorae of Spello type, found in various locations inRegiones VIandVII, are presented. This is the first phase of a research project aimed, firstly, at the morphological characterization of Spello amphorae, through the construction of a typological classification, and, secondly, at the identification, in mineralogical terms, of the vessels produced at Spello, the only certain centre of production, and in other possible production areas in the central part of peninsular Italy. The data which have emerged from this research allow us to map the areas of production and the distribution of this particular ceramic vessel, and also to create a reference database which will form an invaluable starting-point for further research in the near future.
The making of a monastic city. The architecture of San Vincenzo al Volturno in the ninth century
Authors: Hodges Richard , Gibson Sheila , Mitchell John
Published: August 2013

LA COSTITUZIONE DI UNA CITTÀ MONASTICA. L'ARCHITETTURA DI SAN VINCENZO AL VOLTURNO NEL NONO SECOLO

Questo articolo esamina l'architettura del nono secolo del monastero alto medievale di San Vincenzo al Volturno nella regione di Molise. L'articolo prende in considerazione l'ampia gamma di costruzioni rinvenute negli ultimi quindici anni di scavo, compreso la grande chiesa abbaziale, San Vincenzo Maggiore, il palazzo degli ospiti di riguardo, il chiostro, le officine e le strutture in legno delvicusdel monastero. Il lavoro fa riferimento a un ampio numero di paralleli per queste costruzioni sia nella penisola italiana che nell'Europa continentale.
An Early Medieval Hilltop Settlement in Molise: The Plant Remains from D85
Authors: van der Veen Marijke
Published: August 2013

UN INSEDIAMENTO COLLINARE ALTOMEDIEVALE IN MOLISE: I RESTI BOTANICI DA D85

In questo articolo si tratta dei resti botanici raccolti durante gli scavi di D85, un insediamento collinare altomedievale nella valle del Biferno in Molise. Sono state raccolte grandi quantità di resti botanici carbonizzati. Sono stati trovate le seguenti piante: frumento, orzo, miglio, avena, ceci, fave, lino, fichi, uva e coriandolo. I risultati vengono messi a confronto con i dati etnografici sulle attività relative alla lavorazione dei raccolti. L'assenza di materiale di scarto della mietitura (pula e paglia) suggerisce che i cereali non venissero trasformati sul sito ma fossero portati da altri posti. Gli altri dati archeologici (ceramica, strutture, resti di fauna, ecc.), sebbene con qualche dubbio, suggeriscono anch'essi che il sito non fosse un normale villaggio agricolo.
The Antiquities from Lanuvium in the Museum at Leeds and elsewhere
Authors: Woodward A. M.
Published: August 2013

This article continues my catalogue of the objects from Lord Savile's excavations at Lanuvium, of which the first instalment appeared in these Papers (Vol. VII. pp. 63–91), and completes my task as far as concerns the contents of the Museum at Leeds. As it has been decided not to attempt to include here the numerous small objects of lesser importance from the site, which are in the British Museum, but are not yet included in any volume of the Catalogue, the contents of this, the final, instalment consist of the following:—(1) the remainder of the objects in all materials in the Museum at Leeds; (2) such objects in the British Museum as have been published already, either by the discoverer in Archaeologia, or in the various volumes of the Catalogue concerned. It will be seen that by far the most important and extensive part of the latter consists of the objects of terracotta. The republication of these, in extenso, is necessary for the proper understanding of the Leeds pieces, and enables the whole of this material to be presented simultaneously.
Maternal undernutrition during the first week after conception results in decreased expression of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in the absence of GR exon 17 hypermethylation in the fetal pituitary in late gestation
Authors: Zhang S. , Williams-Wyss O. , MacLaughlin S. M. , Walker S. K. , Kleemann D. O. , Suter C. M. , Morrison J. L. , Molloy L. , Cropley J. E. , Roberts C. T. , McMillen I. C.
Published: August 2013

Exposure to maternal undernutrition during the periconceptional period results in an earlier prepartum activation of the fetal hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and altered stress responsiveness in the offspring. It is not known whether such changes are a consequence of exposure of the oocyte and/or the early embryo to maternal undernutrition in the periconceptional period. We have compared the effects of ‘periconceptional’ undernutrition (PCUN: maternal undernutrition imposed from at least 45 days before until 6 days after conception), and ‘early preimplantation’ undernutrition (PIUN: maternal undernutrition imposed for only 6 days after conception) on the expression of genes in the fetal anterior pituitary that regulate adrenal growth and steroidogenesis, proopiomelanorcortin (POMC), prohormone convertase 1 (PC1), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and 2 (11βHSD1 and 2) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in fetal sheep at 136–138 days of gestation. Pituitary GR mRNA expression was significantly lower in the PCUN and PIUN groups in both singletons and twins compared with controls, although this suppression of GR expression was not associated with hypermethylation of the exon 17 region of the GR gene. In twin fetuses, the pituitary 11βHSD1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the PIUN group compared with the PCUN but not the control group. Thus, exposure of the single or twin embryo to maternal undernutrition for only 1 week after conception is sufficient to cause a suppression of the pituitary GR expression in late gestation. These changes may contribute to the increased stress responsiveness of the HPA axis in the offspring after exposure to poor nutrition during the periconceptional period.
Feature-Specific Attention Allocation Modulates the Generalization of Recently Acquired Likes and Dislikes
Authors: Spruyt Adriaan , Klauer Karl Christoph , Gast Anne , De Schryver Maarten , De Houwer Jan
Published: August 2013

We examined whether the generalization of recently acquired likes and dislikes depends on feature-specific attention allocation. Likes and dislikes were established by means of an evaluative-conditioning procedure in which participants were presented with several exemplars of two subordinate categories (e.g., young men vs. old women). Whereas exemplars of one category were consistently paired with negative stimuli, exemplars of the second category were consistently paired with positive stimuli. In addition, we manipulated feature-specific attention allocation for specific stimulus dimensions (e.g., gender vs. age), either during (Experiments 1 and 2) or before the acquisition phase of the experiment (Experiment 3). Both direct and indirect attitude measures revealed a clear impact of this manipulation on attitude generalization. More specifically, only generalization stimuli that were similar to the CSs in terms of the stimulus dimension that was selectively attended to were evaluated in a manner that was congruent with the acquired liking of those CSs.
PKCδ as a regulator for TGF-β-stimulated connective tissue growth factor production in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells
Authors: Lee Su Jin , Kang Jeong Han , Choi Soo Young , Kwon Oh-Shin
Published: August 2013

CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) is widely regarded as an important amplifier of the profibrogenic action of TGF-β (transforming growth factor β) in a variety of tissues, although the precise mechanism of how the TGF-β signalling pathways modulate CTGF expression remains unclear. In the present study, the role of PKCδ (protein kinase Cδ) in TGF-β1-mediated CTGF expression was investigated using HepG2 cells. TGF-β1 treatment specifically elevated PKCδ activation and CTGF expression. In contrast, blockade of PKCδ by the selective inhibitor Rottlerin or by siRNA knockdown significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced CTGF production. The regulatory mechanism was further demonstrated in HepG2 cells whereby TGF-β1-induced PKCδ activation negatively regulated the nuclear levels of PPM1A (protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent, 1A) through the RhoA/ROCK (Rho-associated kinase) pathway. Moreover, we showed that both Smad signalling and the PKCδ pathway appeared to be stimulated by TGF-β1 in parallel. Time course assessments indicated that PKCδ signalling may have a function in maintaining nuclear phospho-Smads at a maximal level. The collective results of the present study demonstrated that PKCδ-stimulated RhoA/ROCK activation resulted in a reduction in PPM1A, thereby up-regulating Smad-dependent gene induction for extended periods. These findings indicated that PKCδ plays a critical role in TGF-β1-induced CTGF production in HepG2 cells.
Control policy for a subclass of Petri nets without reachability analysis
Authors: Liu GaiYun , Chao Daniel Yuh , Yu Fang
Published: August 2013

Traditional maximally permissive deadlock prevention control for flexible manufacturing systems requires costly reachability analysis. It has been a hot race to synthesise optimal controllers to be maximally permissive with fewest monitors. Previous work shows that among all n ‐dependent siphons, only one siphon (whose unmarked state follows some token distribution) needs to be controlled. This greatly simplifies the supervisor synthesis as well as minimises the number of monitors required while making the controlled net maximally permissive (i.e. all live states can be reached.). This study further proposes a maximally permissive control policy for a subclass of systems of simple sequential processes with resources (S3 PR) based on the above theory of token distribution pattern of unmarked siphons.
Evaluating the contribution of take-all control to the break-crop effect in wheat
Authors: Lawes R. A. , Gupta V. V. S. R. , Kirkegaard J. A. , Roget D. K.
Published: August 2013

Break-crops such as legumes and oilseeds increase the yield of subsequent cereal crops by reducing the level of diseases and weeds that build in continuous cereal crops, and can also improve water and nitrogen supply. Although the term ‘break-crop’ originates from their role in breaking disease cycles of soil-borne diseases such as take-all (caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici), the contribution of take-all control to the overall break-crop effect has not been separated in most studies. We re-analysed a range of medium- and short-term crop-sequencing experiments comprising 18 year × site combinations in diverse environments in southern Australia. An analysis using linear mixed effects models was conducted to: (i) define the agro-environments that lead to increases in take-all incidence in continuous wheat crop sequences, (ii) quantify the effect of take-all on wheat yield, and (iii) ascertain the contribution of the reduction in take-all following break-crops to the size of the total break-crop effect on wheat crop yield. Break-crop effects on wheat yield averaged 0.7 t/ha and ranged from 0 to 2.1 t/ha. On 14 of 18 occasions, take-all contributed to reduced wheat yield in continuous wheat rotations, although the estimated effect exceeded 0.1 t/ha on just six of those occasions. As a result, reduced take-all by break-crops contributed to <20% of the total break-crop effect in all but one instance, where the suppression accounted for 80% of the break-crop effect. In summary, although the break-crops improved wheat yield by 0.7 t/ha, the contribution from take-all control in the 14 locations where it could be quantified was just 0.1 t/ha. Correlation analysis revealed that take-all incidence in wheat was most likely to proliferate in colder, wetter environments. Take-all can severely damage crop yield, and the reduction contributes to the break-crop effect, but the average impact on wheat yield is small and poorly correlated with the potential yield of the wheat crop. The analytical approach helped to quantify the effect of take-all damage on crop yield, to provide further insight into the agro-environment that contributes to high levels of take-all incidence, and to demonstrate that take-all, like many other processes, operates in an episodic manner that is rare but, on occasions, severe.
Productivity costs of nonviral sexually transmissible infections among patients who miss work to seek medical care: evidence from claims data
Authors: Owusu-Edusei Kwame , Roby TaNisha M. , Chesson Harrell W. , Gift Thomas L.
Published: August 2013

Background Productivity losses can arise when employees miss work to seek care for sexually transmissible infections (STIs). We estimated the average productivity loss per acute case of four nonviral STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. Methods: We extracted outpatient claims from 2001–2005 MarketScan databases using International Classification Disease ver. 9 (ICD-9) codes. We linked claims with their absence records in the Health and Productivity Management database by matching enrolee identifiers and the service dates from the claims such that our final data included only those who were absent because they were sick and were diagnosed with an STI on the day of their visit. To ensure that the visit was for the STIs being examined, we restricted the criteria to records with the specified ICD-9 codes only, excluding claims with other codes. We estimated the average number of hours absent and multiplied it by the mean hourly wage rate including benefits ($29.72 in 2011 United States dollars) to estimate the average productivity loss per case. Results: The average productivity losses per case were: $262 for chlamydia, $197 for gonorrhoea, $419 for syphilis and $289 for trichomoniasis. There were no significant differences between males and females. Conclusions: Among those who take sick leave to seek care, productivity losses associated with treating nonviral STIs may be higher than their estimated direct medical costs. These productivity cost estimates can help to quantify the overall STI burden, and inform cost-effectiveness analyses of prevention and control efforts.
Safety mechanism assisted by the repressor of tetracycline (SMART) vaccinia virus vectors for vaccines and therapeutics
Authors: Grigg Patricia , Titong Allison , Jones Leslie A. , Yilma Tilahun D. , Verardi Paulo H.
Published: August 2013

Significance

Replication-competent
Vaccinia virus
(VACV) vectors are widely used in the development of vaccines and therapeutics to control infectious diseases, cancer, and even fertility; however, as with all live vaccines, there are safety concerns. In this study, we developed a safety mechanism for VACV based on the conditional expression of a protective gene (IFN-γ) under a tightly controlled tetracycline-inducible promoter. We showed that immunodeficient mice are protected from a lethal VACV infection when treated with tetracyclines. This strategy has the potential to allow treatment of any complications that may result from VACV replication to be as simple as standard antibiotic regimens. Such “SMART” VACV vectors have broad applications in the fields of vaccinology and cancer therapy.
Bacillus paraflexus sp. nov., isolated from compost
Authors: Chandna Piyush , Mayilraj Shanmugam , Kuhad Ramesh Chander
Published: August 2013

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming, aerobic bacterium capable of growing at 15–42 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 5–11 (optimum pH 7) was isolated from compost. Its taxonomic position was deduced using a polyphasic approach and the strain was designated RC2T. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate belongs to the division

Firmicutes

, forming a clade within the cluster containing

Bacillus flexus

IFO 15715T, and showed highest similarity to

B. flexus

IFO 15715T (98.1 %). The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were iso-C15:0 (36.83 %), anteiso-C15:0 (49.19 %) and C16:0 (5.19 %). DNA–DNA hybridization between strain RC2T and

B. flexus

DSM 1320T showed a level of relatedness of 54.5 %. The polar lipid profile of strain RC2T showed the presence of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the G+C content of strain RC2T was 37.6 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and the results of biochemical and physiological tests, strain RC2T was clearly distinguished from closely related members of the genus, and the strain is assigned to a novel species, for which the name Bacillus paraflexus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RC2T ( = MTCC 9831T = MCC 2100T = KCTC 13724T = CCM 7754T).
Why don't we just ask them – do finance practitioners read academic research?
Authors: Lundsten Lorman , Daugherty Mary , Shovein James , Sullivan Michael , Beckmann Heino , Vang David
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The article attempts to determine whether academic research in the area of finance has a direct link to the practitioners in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a survey of over 50 finance practitioners to ask their opinion on the relevance of academic finance journals to their respective jobs.

Findings

The results suggest that most business practitioners are more interested in proprietary research than in generally distributed academic research, the academic peer‐review process seems to reduce the interest of practitioners in academic research due to the time lag between the findings of research and their publication, and the statistical significance of academic research results does not interest practitioners as much as the immediate relevance of the research findings to their respective jobs.

Originality/value

A review of the literature suggests this might be one of the first papers to actually test the hypothesis that academic finance research has a direct transference to the finance industry.
Forecasting product returns in closed‐loop supply chains
Authors: Krapp Michael , Nebel Johannes , Sahamie Ramin
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a generic forecasting approach for predicting product returns in closed‐loop supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on Bayesian estimation techniques. It permits to forecast product returns on the basis of fewer restrictions than existing approaches in CLSC literature. A numerical example demonstrates the application of the proposed approach using return times drawn from a Poisson distribution.

Findings

The Bayesian estimation approach provides at least 50 percent higher accuracy in terms of error measures compared to traditional methods in all scenarios examined in the empirical part. Hence, more precise results can be obtained when predicting product returns.

Research limitations/implications

The flexibility of the proposed approach allows for numerous applications in the field of CLSC research. Areas that depend on the results from a forecasting system, such as inventory management, can embed our estimation procedure in order to reduce safety stocks. Further research should address the incorporation of the quality of returned products and its impact on the actual utilizable amount of product returns.

Originality/value

The generic character of the proposed forecasting approach leaves degrees of freedom to the user when adapting it to a specific problem. This adaptability is enabled by the following features: first, an arbitrary function is allowed for capturing the customers' demand. Second, the stochastic timeframe between sale and product return may follow an arbitrary distribution. Third, by adjusting two parameters finite as well as infinite planning horizons can be incorporated. Fourth, no assumptions regarding the joint distribution of product returns are necessary.
Nutritional factors as catalyst for weight reduction
Authors: Singh Nimali , Chaturvedi Richa
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Weight reduction is a complex phenomenon. Dietary intervention is the most popular approach to reduce excess body fat. In this review, it has been tried to analyze the effect of individual nutrients on the weight reduction process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Studies and review articles discussing role of individual nutrients on weight loss were collected for the purpose.

Findings

Diet high in protein and balanced in calories exerts a positive effect on weight reduction. Micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin C, A, D are also required for an effective weight reduction program.

Originality/value

The review tries to analyze the impact of both quantity and quality of various nutrients on weight reduction.
Milk fat decreases inflammation biomarkers and ameliorates oxidative status in hypercholesterolemic rats
Authors: Benyahia‐Mostefaoui Aicha , Louala Sabrine , Lamri‐Senhadji Myriem
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The present investigation was undertaken to study the potential effects of milk lipids compared to sardine oil on inflammation biomarkers and lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic rats. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Male Wistar rats were fed 20 percent casein combined with 5 percent milk lipids or 5 percent sardine oil and 1 percent cholesterol for 28 days. A control group was fed a standard diet.

Findings

No significant difference in serum triacylglycerol (TG) was found in the milk lipids versus sardine oil and control. However, serum TG was reduced (1.7‐fold) with sardine oil compared with the control. Serum total cholesterol (TC) was, respectively, 3.6‐ and 2.5‐fold higher in milk lipids and sardine oil, respectively, compared with control. Compared to sardine oil, TC value was 1.4‐fold higher in the milk lipid. Serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) was elevated (eight‐ and 33‐fold) in the milk lipid and sardine oil compared to control, respectively. However, CRP value was four‐fold lower in milk lipids than those in sardine oil. Compared to sardine oil, iron value was two‐fold higher in milk lipids versus sardine oil. Malondialdehyde content of red blood cell, heart and brain were decreased in milk lipids versus sardine oil (p<0.05). Hydroperoxydes contents in milk lipids were also lower in heart and aorta compared to sardine oil and control (p<0.05).

Originality/value

Milk lipids compared to sardine oil does not modulate the hypercholesterolemia but decreases inflammation biomarkers and seems to protect efficiency of some tissues against the cytotoxic action and oxidative stress of cholesterol enriched diet.
Vitamin retention in vegetables submitted to heat treatment
Authors: Siqueira de Oliveira Lara , Elisabeth Machado Pinto‐e‐Silva Maria , Carolina Batista Campos von Atzingen Maria , Aparecida Manólio Soares Rosana
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the retention rate of vitamin C and carotenoids in vegetables submitted to heat treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples of carrot and broccoli were submitted to conventional cooking, steaming, microwaving and autoclave. Ascorbic acid concentrations were determined according to the methodology of Zhang and Hamauzu. The extraction of carotenoids was done using the methodology of Niizu and Rodriguez‐Amaya. The formula of Murphy et al. was used to calculate the retention rate of vitamins.

Findings

The highest retention percentage of ascorbic acid, α‐carotene, β‐carotene and lutein in carrots was obtained using microwave cooking. In the case of broccoli, the best retention for α‐ and β‐carotene was by steam cooking, whereas ascorbic acid was best preserved in the autoclave and lutein by conventional cooking.

Practical implications

Ascorbic acid and carotenoids are compounds present in vegetables relevant mostly from a therapeutical point of view, as they appear to be associated with the prevention of many diseases. However, these vitamins are lost during the cooking process, which is of great importance in developing countries where deficits of these nutrientes are quite common in the population.

Originality/value

The results obtained in this study indicate that the cooking technique of choice is of fundamental importance not only at home but also for the food industry, considering the increasing consumption of processed foods.
Alteration of cancer stem cell‐like phenotype by histone deacetylase inhibitors in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Chikamatsu Kazuaki , Ishii Hiroki , Murata Takaaki , Sakakura Koichi , Shino Masato , Toyoda Minoru , Takahashi Katsumasa , Masuyama Keisuke
Published: August 2013

Recent progression in the understanding of stem cell biology has greatly facilitated the identification and characterization of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Moreover, evidence has accumulated indicating that conventional cancer treatments are potentially ineffective against CSCs. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have multiple biologic effects consequent to alterations in the patterns of acetylation of histones and are a promising new group of anticancer agents. In this study, we investigated the effects of two HDACi, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and trichostatin A (TSA), on two CD44+ cancer stem‐like cell lines from squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cultured in serum‐free medium containing epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Histone deacetylase inhibitors inhibited the growth of SCCHN cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner as measured by MTS assays. Moreover, HDACi induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in these SCCHN cell lines. Interestingly, the expression of cancer stem cell markers, CD44 and ABCG2, on SCCHN cell lines was decreased by HDACi treatment. In addition, HDACi decreased mRNA expression levels of stemness‐related genes and suppressed the epithelial‐mesencymal transition phenotype of CSCs. As expected, the combination of HDACi and chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin and docetaxel, had a synergistic effect on SCCHN cell lines. Taken together, our data indicate that HDACi not only inhibit the growth of SCCHN cell lines by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, but also alter the cancer stem cell phenotype in SCCHN, raising the possibility that HDACi may have therapeutic potential for cancer stem cells of SCCHN.