bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cross-sectional Study on Spectrum of Oral Cavity Lesions with Emphasis on Soft-tissue Tumours: A Lesser Dealt Domain
Authors: Nagose Vaishali Baburao , Mahajan Neha Amrut , Gondane Shirish Renurao , Todase Vipin Narendra , Vaze Vikrant V , Pawar Yuraj Hari
Published: July 2024

Introduction: The oral cavity, the beginning of the digestive system, has diverse lesions affecting it other than Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). Soft-tissue Tumours (STT) are uncommon lesions. Overlapping of the signs and symptoms in diverse conditions creates significant problems for reaching their definitive diagnosis. Histopathological Examination (HPE) plays a central role in giving their final diagnosis. Assessment of the clinical features, histopathology, along with Immunohistochemistry (IHC), helps in reaching an accurate diagnosis in these cases, which further aids in the proper management of the patient. Aim: To study the spectrum of oral cavity lesions and tumours with emphasis on STT. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology and Otolaryngology, Dr. Ulhas Patil Medical College, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India included the oral cavity lesion samples received over two years (from January 2021 to December 2022) in the histopathology section of a Medical College in Maharashtra, India. A total of 170 cases were included in the study. Complete clinical information including age, sex, anatomical location, clinical diagnosis, and histological subtypes were compiled. The HPE diagnosis were classified into four categories-Non neoplastic, Benign, Epithelial Proliferative lesions {including viral/Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related}/Intraepithelial neoplastic lesions/Precursor or Pre-malignant, and malignant with special emphasis on STTs found. The data was statistically analysed and the results were presented as percentages. Full details of the soft-tissue lesions were recorded, entered into an Excel sheet, and studied for the percentage-wise distribution of various recorded parameters. Results: A total of 170 cases were found. Male:female distribution was 2.78:1, and most patients were in the seventh decade, n=38 (22.35%). The most common lesions other than SCC, n=110 (64.71%) found were mucocele, chronic inflammatory lesion and wart. The Buccal Mucosa/Gingivo-buccal Sulcus (GBS) were the most commonly involved site, n=82 (48.24%). Malignant lesions were more common in the sixth and seventh decades, with a male preponderance of 2.71:1. The uncommon STTs found were-Benign: Haemangioma/pyogenic granuloma (n=2), a Schwanomma, and a Proliferative Fasciitis (PF); Malignant: two fibrosarcomas and a high-grade sarcoma. All three malignant STTs were found in males of the sixth decade involving the buccal mucosa. Conclusion: Among the variety of lesions found in the oral cavity, HPE facilitates the recognition of the STT, especially the malignant ones, aiding in proper management. Being an extremely uncommon entity at this site, the documentation of these findings is of utmost importance.
Body Composition of Medical Staff Working on Shift Duty and Day Duty: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Borkhatariya, Avi , Patil Devendra Manohar
Published: July 2024

Introduction: The necessity for 24-hour patient care in the medical field often requires staff to work in shifts, disrupting their circadian rhythms controlled by the hypothalamus’s Suprachiasmatic Nuclei (SCN). This disruption can lead to sleep deprivation, which is linked to significant health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Sleep deprivation affects body composition by altering fat distribution, muscle mass, and Body Mass Index (BMI), and changes meal preferences towards high-calorie, carbohydraterich foods. Irregular eating patterns due to hormonal and gut microbiome changes can lead to over-eating and weight gain. The sedentary nature of many shift-based jobs exacerbates the imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, promoting obesity. Aim: To address the limited research on how shift work impacts the body composition of medical staff by comparing those on shift duty to those on day duty. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study that included medical staff between the age group of 25 to 40 years working in the Parent Institute. The subjects were divided into two equal groups consisting of 100 staff working on shift duty (study group) and 100 staff working on day duty (control group). Subjects were tested for body composition by using Karada Scan. Various parameters of body composition were compared using an unpaired t-test. Results: The day duty group consisted of 36 females and 64 males (N=100) staff with a mean age of 33.0±4.6 years while the shift duty group consisted of 36 females and 64 males (N=100) staff with a mean age of 31.9±4.4 years. The study suggests a significant difference between the two groups for BMI, skeletal muscle mass, and subcutaneous fat with a p-value <0.05. Conclusion: The study showed lower skeletal muscle mass and higher body weight, body fat percentage, visceral fat, BMI, and subcutaneous fat in medical staff working on shift duty.
Multidrug Resistance in Bacterial Isolates from Pus Samples: A Hospital-based Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ingale Hemangi Dasharath
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing public health threat. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, initially associated with healthcare-associated infections, have now spread and become a major cause of community-acquired infections, as well. Therefore, there is a need for monitoring MDR bacterial infections in healthcare settings to establish policies for antimicrobial therapy and effective infection prevention strategies. As pyogenic infections were a major burden of infectious diseases in our healthcare setup, the present study was conducted. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of Multidrug Resistance (MDR) and Extensive Drug Resistance (XDR) in bacterial isolates from pus samples. Materials and Methods: The present hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Microbiology Laboratory, SMBT Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra, India, from June 2022 to May 2023. A total of 360 bacterial isolates from pus samples received from the General Surgery, Orthopaedics and Otorhinolaryngology Departments were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2023 guidelines. Isolates were classified as MDR and XDR as per standard definitions. All Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) isolates were tested for Ampicillinase C (AmpCs) production by disk approximation test and double disk synergy test. Microsoft Excel 2013 was used for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of MDR and XDR in Gram-negative bacteria was 175 (68.8%) and 120 (47.2%), respectively. The prevalence of MDR and XDR Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was 59 (67%) and 10 (11.3%), respectively. The prevalence of Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 45.4% (n=40). Out of the total 111 isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae, five isolates were AmpC beta-lactamase producers (4.5%). Conclusion: In the present study, a high prevalence of MDR was observed in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria isolated from different pus samples. This is an alarming situation, and further in-depth studies need to be conducted to assess the association of MDR bacterial infections with particular sites and types of infections to develop effective therapeutic and infection control policies.
Distributional Effects of the 2012 Pharmaceutical Co-payment Change in Spain and Simulated Proposals for Improvement
Authors: Hernández Cristina ,   Universidad de La Laguna, Abásolo Ignacio , González Beatriz ,   Universidad de La Laguna,   Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Published: July 2024

We analyse the distributional effects of the 2012 pharmaceutical co-payment reform and eleven simulated alternative schemes in the Canary Islands. A random sample of 41,962 residents covered by the Spanish National Health System together with their individual prescription information from one year before to one after the change was used. The Concentration index (CI) was used to compare inequality in private pharmaceutical spending by income levels: CI increases from 0.03 to 0.07 for the working population, being simulation number 11 the most progressive one (CI=0.20). The use of more income ranges increases progressivity of the system slightly, although more suitable models could have been used, combining more progressivity with more sustainable pharmaceutical public expenditures.
Profiling Bioactive Compounds in the Bark of Cinchona officinalis L. and Anti-arthritic Properties Thereof
Authors: Senthilkumar N. , Sumathi R.
Published: July 2024

The bark samples of C. officinalis were collected from The Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The collected samples were processed and extracted using methanol solvent. The extracts showed high yield of secondary metabolites especially alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, sterols, quinones and tannins. Alkaloid content was very high in C.officinalis followed by phenol, flavonoid, steroid and Tannin. The secondary metabolites present in C. officinalis (Bark) were isolated, purified, identified and characterized using differential Chromatographic techniques such as TLC, HPLC and GC-MS/ MS. The compounds identified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique in bark of C. officinalis in the retention times of 1.750, 2.250, 4.016 and 7.266 minutes were quinine, isoquinidine and cinchonidine. The compounds were then characterized using GC- MS/ MS technique with reference to NIST library. The compounds were eluted from the bark of C. officinalis in the retention time of 9.569, 10.488, 11.814, 13.593, 14.282, 16.542, 16.967, 23.494, 24.954, 25.151, 25.988, 26.752, 26.982, 27.906, 28.277, 31.454, 33.604, and 35.744 minutes. By correlating the retention times with (NIST) mass spectral library the eluted compounds were confirmed as Phthalic acid, Hexadecanoic acid,1,2,3,5-Cyclohexanetetrol, Cinchonab-9-one, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, Heptadecanoic acid, Quinine, Cinchonine, Cinchonidine, Phenol, Quinine, and gamma.-Sitosterol. The phytochemicals present in the C. officinalis (Bark) samples were evaluated for their biological properties viz., anti-inflammatory activity and anti-arthritic activity in in-vitro conditions. Anti- inflammatory properties of plant samples were tested by protein denaturation method using diclofenac (75 mg/ ml concentration) as positive control. The methanol extract of C.officinalis (Bark) showed anti- inflammatory properties of range between 17.0 and 57.3%. Anti- arthritic activity of bark extract of C. officinalis (75 mg/ ml concentration) was evaluated by albumin denaturation method using diclofenac (75 mg/ ml concentration) as positive control. The methanol extract of C.officinalis (Bark) showed anti- arthritic properties of range between 18.4 and 58.5%. From the study it is understood that the alkaloids and polyphenols present in the methanolic extract of bark of C. officinalis were responsible for their biological properties. Hence, C. officinalis can serve as an alternative to synthetic drugs available in the market to treat arthritis subject to safety (toxicity) studies in humans. Based on the In vitro results, it was confirmed that the bark of C.officinalis possesses comparatively high biological values. Thus an herbal aerosol for arthritis may be formulated using the bark extract of C.officinalis as key ingredient and the therapeutic product will be of cost effective, easy to use and pocket friendly.
Perception and Acceptance of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine by Mothers in Owerri, Nigeria: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Ezeogu Joseph , Asinobi Kingsley , Okeji Chidimma Noela , Chimah Chioma Theresa
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among female children 9-14 years is critical to reducing the burden of HPV-related cancers in Nigeria. We assessed caregivers’ perception and acceptance of HPV vaccination for their wards; using a structured, pretested, self-administered questionnaire in a face-to-face interview among caregivers attending a well-child/immunization clinic in Owerri, Nigeria.  
Methodology: Participants were recruited by convenience sampling method between August and October 2023.We analysed the cross-sectional data from 267 caregivers of caregivers aged 20–57years in a Nigerian Teaching hospital. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis to investigate the factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake.
Among the respondents, 132 (49.4%) of them had heard about HPV, and 52 (19.5%) stated that it could prevent cervical cancer. Bivariate analysis, demonstrated that tertiary education in the mother (OR 2.25, 95%CI 1.27 to 4.02) and father (OR 2.25, 95%CI 1.28 to 3.85) were significantly associated with their knowledge of HPV vaccine and their wards’ probability of taking the HPV vaccine. Participants’ intention to give HPV vaccination to their children was 77.5%. Our findings suggest that interventions tailored to enhance education and support of caregivers would significantly increase HPV vaccination among females in Nigeria.
Conclusion: Being well-educated appears to guarantee good knowledge of the HPV vaccine, but not HPV prevention of cervical cancer role. Our respondents’ intention to have the HPV vaccine administered to their children was high. Concerted efforts need to be made by government and health workers to create awareness about HPV infection, HPV vaccine amongst caregivers to enhance HPV vaccine uptake.
The Effect of Growth Retardants on Reprodutive Efficiency and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Srikanth B. , Santhosh B. , Rani P. Sandhya , John K.
Published: July 2024

A field experiment was carried out during Kharif, 2023 at dryland farm of S. V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications and two genotypes as main factor (G1- Dharani, G2- K-6), growth retardants as sub factor. The current experiment was conducted with an objective to study the impact of growth retardants on reduction of plant stature thereby enhancing the reproductive and assimilates partitioning efficiency along with yield. This article discusses various yield and reproductive efficiency related attributes of groundnut as influenced by growth retardants. The experimental results revealed that, the T5 (PBZ @ 250 ppm at 45 DAS) reported Maximum number of pegs per plant (58.50), number of pods per plant (28.89), shelling % (70.39) and harvest index (32.52 %). Among the two genotypes studied, G1 (Dharani) demonstrated more number of flowers (73), number of pegs per plant (50), number of pods per plant (26), shelling % (69) and harvest index (32 %).
Effect of Transient Waterlogging Stress on Growth, Physiology and Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in Semi-Arid Region
Authors: Senthamil E. , Angadi S.S. , Halli Hanamant M. , Salakinkop S.R. , Doddamani M.B. , Gundlur S.S.
Published: July 2024

Cowpea cultivation during rainy season is highly affected by the waterlogging stress due to unpredicted high-intensity rains. The studies on assessment of waterlogging effect on different growth stages of cowpea are necessary for planning mitigation strategies. Hence study was conducted during kharif (June to September) 2022 under factorial randomized block design (FRCBD) set up. The first factor consisted of seven waterlogging durations (3 to 15 days), and second factor was three growth stages of cowpea (15 DAE; Days after emergence, 25 DAE and at 50% flowering). The results revealed that regardless of growth stages, growth and yield attributes were drastically decreased with increased duration of waterlogging. The highest plant height (25.07 cm), number of branches plant–1 (5.33) and leaf area (205.27 cm2 plant–1), and number of pods plant–1 (4.27), pod length (15.24 cm), number of seeds pod–1 (14.27), grain (6.27 g plant–1) and haulm yield (15.62 g plant–1) were recorded with 3 days of waterlogging, whereas lowest values were reported with 15 days of waterlogging. Regarding growth stages, highest growth, and yield attributes were recorded with waterlogging during 50% flowering, followed by 25 DAE and 15 DAE. Moreover, the correlation study indicated that physiological parameters such as leaf protein content (r = 0.95) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NDVI (r = 0.97) were positively related to grain yield. It was found that, cowpea is sensitive to high-intensity waterlogging (beyond 3–5 days) especially during the early growth stage (15 DAE).
Chemical Quality of Moringa Paneer Prepared from Buffalo Milk
Authors: Kumar Vikash , Yadav M.P.S. , Kuldeep  , Kumar Sandeep
Published: July 2024

The current study, "(Technology of preparation of moringa paneer from buffalo milk,)" was conducted at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agricultural and Technology in Kanpur at the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Using buffalo milk, two types of coagulant, three types of temperature, and extracts of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% moringa leaves, moringa paneer was made. The sensory and chemical characteristics of the freshly collected samples were examined. When samples were made with 10% moringa leaf extract, 2% citric acid, and 80°C temperature, the higher sensory quality of moringa paneer was attained. The cost of manufacturing was also determined; for moringa paneer, the maximum average cost of production was Rs. 232 per kg. The highest production cost per kilogram for a sample made with 20% extract from moringa leaves was Rs. 236.00. For sample (A3 B1 C2), the production cost was determined to be Rs. 232 per kg. It is also suggested that the study be used to produce high-quality paneer using an extract from moringa leaves for the dairy industry and regional sweets.
Determining the Effect of Nitrogen and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Mahadev Patil Rajvardhan , Singh Vikram , George Shruti Grace
Published: July 2024

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif (rainy) season of 2023 at Crop Research Farm Department of Agronomy. The treatments consisted of 3 Nitrogen (100kg/ha + 120kg/ha + 140kh/ha) and Zinc Sulphate (Znso4) (15kg/ha + 20kg/ha + 25kg/ha) along with recommended doses of Nitrogen, phosphorus and potash and a control (120-60-40 kg N-P-K/ha). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 10 treatments and replication thrice. Apply of a Nitrogen and zinc sulphate in treatment recorded highest plant height (182.4 cm), maximum plant dry weight (98.81 gm), Number of cobs per plant (3.3), Number of seed per cob (466.45), Seed index (27.20), seed yield (5.05), stover yield (23.2).
Exploring the Correlation between Morpho-physiological Traits and Growth Attributes Associated with Yield Characteristics in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Banjare Bhumika , Katiyar Pratibha , Magar Akshay S. , Thakur Neha
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to identify the morpho-physiological and growth attributes, and yield associated with yield in rice genotypes. The experiment included 120 rice genotypes and 3 checks, conducted in an alpha lattice design with two replications at the Research Cum Instructional Farm in the Department of Plant Physiology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishawavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, during the two consecutive Kharif seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. Conventional spacing of 15 x 20 cm and recommended cultural practices were employed. The objective is to improve the overall efficiency and productivity of rice cultivation to meet the needs of a growing population. It is crucial to emphasize the comprehension and enhancement of the fundamental features associated with canopy structure and growth attributes. Improving these morpho-physiological traits is pivotal for boosting rice yield. By studying and refining the arrangement and growth of the rice plant's leaf canopy, the goal is to enhance the efficiency and productivity of rice cultivation. The results indicated that productive tillers (0.335**) and flag leaf area (0.213*) were positively correlated with higher yields. While leaf angles, specific leaf area, and days to panicle initiation showed negative correlations with yield. The leaf area index at flowering was positively correlated with specific leaf area (0.382***) but negatively with grain yield (-0.199*). Specific leaf weight was positively correlated with yield per hectare (0.178*). Understanding these relationships can guide the selection and breeding of rice genotypes with optimal traits for enhanced grain yield and crop performance.
The Role of Marketing Strategy for Knit Bag SMEs Businesses Success in the Case of Audy Handmade
Authors: Respatia Wimba , Pahlawan Muhammad Reza , Sari Juwita , Mildawati Titik
Published: July 2024

Micro, Small, and Medium Enteprises (MSMEs) were known for their contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and work labor absorption. However, they often face a lack of strategic planning, limited funding, and strategy to meet market demands. This can be caused by a lack of marketing strategy formulation. This study aims to provide a descriptive overview of community service from university to empower MSMEs in marketing strategy analysis by conducting an international seminar. This study uses the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method in empowering Audy Handmade. This MSMSe focuses on knit bag production. This study consists of three main activities which initiated by preliminary visit to gain insight into existing problems. The international seminar was also conducted as the next activity to solve their problem. This seminar aims to become a sharing session between the MSMEs and marketing experts to share their conditions and provide feedback from experts to MSMEs. Lastly, there is an evaluation stage to ensure the main goals of the event were achieved. The workshop results in two points that need to be a concern for Audy Handmade. First, they need to produce a bag that can be of unique value for them such as adding some unique element or their logo on the bag. Besides that, they need to reorganize their marketing strategy. They need to focus on some specific marketing segment to help them take a position in the market. A strong brand identity, effective marketing strategies, and attractive product packaging were believed to help improve their products' visibility, competitiveness, and sales in the market. Therefore, Audy Handmade needs to strengthen its brand image, especially its product uniqueness, and its position in certain market segments. This needs to be taken into consideration as a means of strengthening their position in the knit bag industry.
Changes of Molecular Glycerophospholipid Species in Plasma and Red Blood Cells During Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation
Authors: Uhl Olaf , Demmelmair Hans , Klingler Mario , Koletzko Berthold
Published: September 2013

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status is related to health and disease risk. DHA status is mainly determined by dietary DHA intake, since endogenous synthesis of DHA is limited. We aimed to investigate the changes of different molecular glycerophospholipid species containing DHA in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) in response to increased DHA intake. Thirteen healthy adults had their diet supplemented with 510 mg DHA/day for 29 days. Fasted blood samples were taken at 11 time points and glycerophospholipid species were analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. In plasma, percentages of glycerophospholipid species containing DHA increased significantly by 64–104 % relative to baseline values during supplementation, but the relative distribution between species was not markedly altered. In RBC, phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) species containing DHA increased to a similar extent as in plasma, while phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine species with DHA increased by only 12–25 %, respectively, which was significantly different compared to PtdCho species (p < 0.01). Despite the high increase, the contribution of DHA PtdCho species to total DHA remained minor (14 % after supplementation). In conclusion, DHA supplementation does not alter the relative distribution of DHA among glycerophospholipid species in plasma. A majority of PtdCho species are rapidly exchanged between plasma lipoproteins and RBC membrane lipids, while there is a minor exchange of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine species.
Supracondylar osteotomy of the paediatric femur using the locking compression plate: A refined surgical technique
Authors: Brunner Reinald , Camathias Carlo , Gaston Mark , Rutz Erich
Published: September 2013

Locking compression plates (LCP) have been developed for paediatric patients, and these provide safe bone fixation and allow for immediate weight-bearing. These plates are becoming increasingly popular and are proving to especially useful for the treatment of proximal and distal (supracondylar) femoral osteotomies. They are thought to provide better grip in osteoporotic bone. The technique has been described in the provider's manual as well as recently by Joeris et al. (Int Orthop 2012 : 36:2299–2306). The LCP system offers optimal stability after the final fixation, but temporary fixation using the originally described method is unstable, and we consider the medialisation instrument unsatisfactory as it has very small contact area with the lateral aspect of the femur and does not provide sound rotational control. For this reason we have developed a technique whereby temporary, stable fixation using fine K-wires can be attained for the proximal, diaphyseal fragment, following sound fixation with locking screws of the distal fragment. This procedure allows for full clinical (including rotation) and radiographic assessment intraoperatively, as well as fine adjustment in all three planes. This modification enables optimal correction before the final fixation and avoids unnecessary, large drill holes which may otherwise act as dangerous tress risers, endangering stability and weight-bearing. Here we describe a refined technique of the supracondylar femoral osteotomy using the paediatric LCP Condylar Plate.
Perturbation Analysis of Indices of Lifespan Variability
Authors: van Raalte Alyson A. , Caswell Hal
Published: September 2013

A number of indices exist to calculate lifespan variation, each with different underlying properties. Here, we present new formulae for the response of seven of these indices to changes in the underlying mortality schedule (life disparity, Gini coefficient, standard deviation, variance, Theil’s index, mean logarithmic deviation, and interquartile range). We derive each of these indices from an absorbing Markov chain formulation of the life table, and use matrix calculus to obtain the sensitivity and the elasticity (i.e., the proportional sensitivity) to changes in age-specific mortality. Using empirical French and Russian male data, we compare the underlying sensitivities to mortality change under different mortality regimes to determine the conditions under which the indices might differ in their conclusions about the magnitude of lifespan variation. Finally, we demonstrate how the sensitivities can be used to decompose temporal changes in the indices into contributions of age-specific mortality changes. The result is an easily computable method for calculating the properties of this important class of longevity indices.
The Organization of Athenian Public Finance
Authors: Rhodes P. J.
Published: September 2013

Most of this article will be concerned with the institutional organization of Athens’ public finances, but to provide the background to that I begin with some basic facts about income and expenditure. Athens’ finances, and Athenian administration generally, were on a larger scale and more complex than those of most Greek states – partly because Athens itself was an exceptionally large state, with a territory of 1,000 square miles (2,600 square kilometres) and a body of adult male citizens numbering perhaps 60,000 before the Peloponnesian War and 30,000 after; and partly because, in addition to its domestic business, for much of the fifth century Athens had the business of the Delian League to deal with and for forty years in the fourth century it had the business of its Second League. The Delian League was without precedent in the Greek world as an alliance founded with a view to ongoing warfare, and as an alliance to which many members from the beginning and almost all members after a while made contributions by annual cash payments ofphoros(‘tribute’). Athens thus needed to develop skills in managing large and small sums of money to a much greater extent than other states. Athens’ administration depended largely on annually appointed officials, and our evidence gives prominence to the principle of accountability and to various accounting procedures; but, although Athens applied the principles in its own way, the principles were not distinctively Athenian or distinctively democratic: the use of rotating officials and of accounting procedures was widespread in Greek states of varying political complexions.
The Humour and Thematic Centrality of thePaterain Plautus'Amphitruo
Authors: Polt Christopher B.
Published: September 2013

Thepatera(‘drinking-bowl’) of King Pterelas that Amphitruo brings back as a trophy of his victory over the Teleboeans plays a central role in Plautus'Amphitruo. Amphitruo and Sosia plan to show it off to Alcumena to impress her and to aggrandize their triumph, and this military bragging characterizes Amphitruo as a modifiedmiles gloriosus(‘braggart soldier’). Jupiter steals it and, in disguise as Amphitruo, gives it to Alcumena, wooing her and further solidifying her belief that she has just spent the night with her husband. After Amphitruo accuses his wife of lying when she states that she has slept only with him and that he gave her the drinking-bowl, he commands Sosia to open their box containing it to prove otherwise; of course, it has vanished, and its disappearance leads to more confusion and accusations. The drinking-bowl thus also serves as a physical token that might establish a character's identity, just like thecistella(‘box’) of Plautus'CistellariaorRudens, but with the twist that Jupiter's manipulation of the token intensifies misunderstanding rather than dispels it, per the usual model of comicanagnorisis. In short, this prop contributes greatly toAmphitruo's characterization, narrative development, and metatheatrical play.
Cicero's Palinode: Inconsistency in the Late Republic
Authors: Fulkerson Laurel
Published: September 2013

We know so much more about Cicero than we do about anyone else from antiquity, and because of the nature of our knowledge, especially the ‘personal’ viewpoint which his letters offer, it is easy to think we know more about him than we actually do, or to consider him unique, attributing to him alone as personality characteristics things which may in fact be features common to others of his class and time. So, for instance, he is regularly accused of inconsistency in public life by both ancients and moderns, but I believe here we are led astray by the evidence, and that he was only marginally more changeable than his contemporaries. This is a position impossible to argue, because it would require information that we do not have about the vagaries of political alliances in the 60s, 50s, and 40sbc, and about how many times various people changed their minds about different things. Even the limited material we do have, however, suggests that the successful late Republican politician held very few alliances to be unbreakable. This article explores the possibility that Cicero was particularly susceptible to the charge of inconsistency precisely because he was not one of thenobiles, and so could not lay claim to this aristocratic virtue without being challenged. It also suggests that he may in reality have had to change his mind more regularly than his contemporaries, again owing to the vulnerabilities inherent in his status. Finally, it raises the possibility thatinconstantiaandlevitasin Latin may mean something different from what inconsistency usually means in English, at least to some speakers of the language. After brief discussion of the nuances ofconstantiaand its opposite, I explore the charge oflevitasas wielded by Cicero's enemies against him in the trials of 54bc, his own defences against the charge, and then his use of it against others in the 50s and 40s. I should perhaps make clear that this is not an attempt to rehabilitate Cicero, except insofar as the ancient evidence misleads us into misjudging him; I hope merely to suggest thatinconstantiais in the eye of the beholder, and that most of the leading figures of the Senate were more prone to see it in men like Cicero than in men like themselves.
Aristophanes'Lysistrata, the Liberian ‘sex strike’, and the Politics of Reception
Authors: Morales Helen
Published: September 2013

In October 2011 the Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless campaign to end violence in Liberia. Part of her campaign involved a so-called ‘sex strike’. Gbowee is said to have organized women protestors to solicit their husbands' cooperation by withdrawing sex until the men, too, made peace a priority. The Western media, both through official reporting in newspapers and through the less formal commentating in blogs, have repeatedly reported the women's political action by drawing comparisons with the ‘sex strike’ dramatized in Aristophanes' playLysistrata, and between Leymah Gbowee and the character Lysistrata. In a review in theHuffington Post, Jericho Parms wrote: ‘Employing the strength of Lysistrata, and Aristophanes’ heroines of the Peloponnesian War, they withheld sex from their men'. R. Weinrich commented inGossip Central, ‘Self-assured and instinctively political, Gbowee is a modern day Lysistrata, as in the ancient Greek satirist Aristophanes’ play'. A report in theDaily Telegraphwent even further, and suggested a causal relationship betweenLysistrataand the resistance in Liberia: ‘perhaps her [Gbowee's] most famous moment came in 2002, when she persuaded many Liberian women to withhold sex from their warring menfolk unless they came to the negotiating table, a devastatingly successful campaign inspired by the Aristophanes’ Lysistrata [sic], who used the same strategy during the Peloponnesian War'. Reports in the Liberian press, to the best of my knowledge, do not mention Aristophanes'Lysistrata.
The clash of the sexes in Hesiod'sWorks and Days
Authors: Canevaro Lilah Grace
Published: September 2013

Hesiod'sWorks and Daysis self-consciously a poem of the Iron Age. It is addressed to Iron Age men about how to manage the Iron Age human condition. The narrative ventures out of the Iron Age only to explain how we got here and how the present age compares to those which came before. The Iron Age audience is addressed by a narrator who situates himself explicitly (and discontentedly) as a contemporary:μηκέτ᾽ ἔπɛιτ᾽ ὤϕɛλλον ἐγὼ πέμπτοισι μɛτɛῖναιἀνδράσιν, ἀλλ᾽ ἢ πρόσθɛ θανɛῖν ἢ ἔπɛιτα γɛνέσθαι.νῦν γὰρ δὴ γένος ἐστὶ σιδήρɛον·Would then that I was no longer among the fifth race ofmen, but either died earlier or was born later.For now indeed it is a race of iron.(Works and Days, 174–6)
Impact of mean platelet volume on the occurrence and severity of sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Sagit M , Kavugudurmaz M , Guler S , Somdas M A
Published: September 2013

Objective:

We aimed to determine: (1) whether mean platelet volume was elevated in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, compared with healthy controls; and (2) whether mean platelet volume level was related to hearing loss severity.

Materials and methods:

The study included 31 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and 31 age- and sex-matched, healthy controls. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken from subjects and mean platelet volume and levels of glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride were measured.

Results:

Mean platelet volume was significantly greater in the sudden sensorineural hearing loss group compared with the control group. However, there was no significant correlation between mean platelet volume level and hearing loss severity.

Conclusion:

Mean platelet volume, a determinant of platelet activation, is elevated in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. To our knowledge, this is the first report investigating mean platelet volume levels in such patients. Our findings indirectly support the hypothesis of vascular impairment as a pathogenetic factor in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Hunger, Food Security, and the African Land Grab
Authors: Schiffman Richard
Published: September 2013

If you were organizing dinner parties for the world, you would need to put out 219,000 more place settings every night than you had the night before. That is how fast the Earth's population is growing. But global agricultural production is currently failing to keep pace. A June 2012 report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) sees trouble looming ahead, warning that “land and water resources are now much more stressed than in the past and are becoming scarcer.”
Nonproliferation: A Global Issue for a Global Ethic
Authors: Hehir J. Bryan
Published: September 2013

A global ethic for the twenty-first century will be different from that of the twentieth century. While themes of normative and political continuity will exist, humankind's main moral challenges have changed. Between the two centuries lie the end of the cold war, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the global financial crisis, and the double transformation of the structure of power in world politics and the norms of sovereignty and intervention. Nuclear weapons will remain high on the agenda of a global ethic, but they will not hold as dominant a place as they did in the past century. This essay, focused on the continuing moral challenge of nuclear weapons, recalls the intellectual and moral lessons of the last century and identifies three leading issues in nuclear ethics today: post–cold war challenges to nonproliferation and deterrence, the new challenges posed by the terrorist threat, and recent proposals for Going to Zero.
What is the price of neglecting parasite groups when assessing the cost of co-infection?
Authors: SERRANO E. , MILLÁN J.
Published: September 2013

Although co-infection by multiple groups of pathogens is the norm rather than the exception in nature, most research on the effects of pathogens on their hosts has been largely based on a single or few pathogen species. Nevertheless, the health impact of co-occurring infections is evident, and it is important that scientists should consider pathogen communities rather than single relevant pathogen species when assessing the impact of multiple infections. In this work we illustrate the consequences of neglecting different pathogen taxa (viruses, protozoa, helminths, arthropods) in the explanatory power of a set of Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS-R) models used for exploring the impact of co-infections on the body condition of 57 adult feral cats; 71·5% cats were co-infected by ⩾3 groups of pathogens. The best two PLS-R models provided a first component based on the combination of helminths, protozoa and viruses, explaining 29·15% of body-condition variability. Statistical models, partially considering the pathogen community, lost between 24% and 94% of their explanatory power for explaining the cost of multiple infections. We believe that in the future, researchers assessing the impact of diseases on host life-history traits should take into account a broad representation of the pathogen community, especially during early assessment of the impact of diseases on host health.
Evolutionary history of Ebola virus
Authors: LI Y. H. , CHEN S. P.
Published: September 2013

Since Ebola virus was discovered in 1970s, the virus has persisted in Africa and sporadic fatal outbreaks in humans and non-human primates have been reported. However, the evolutionary history of Ebola virus remains unclear. In this study, 27 Ebola virus strains with complete glycoprotein genes, including five species (Zaire, Sudan, Reston, Tai Forest, Bundibugyo), were analysed. Here, we propose a hypothesis of the evolutionary history of Ebola virus which will be helpful to investigate the molecular evolution of these viruses.
Linking neural activity to complex decisions
Authors: HAYDEN BENJAMIN , PASTERNAK TATIANA
Published: September 2013

In the 1990s, seminal work from Newsome and colleagues made it possible to study the neuronal mechanisms of simple perceptual decisions. The key strength of this work was the clear and direct link between neuronal activity and choice processes. Since then, a great deal of research has extended these initial discoveries to more complex forms of decision making, with the goal of bringing the same strength of linkage between neural and psychological processes. Here, we discuss the progress of two such research programs, namely our own, that are aimed at understanding memory-guided decisions and reward-guided decisions. These problems differ in the relevant brain areas, in the progress that has been achieved, and in the extent of broader understanding achieved so far. However, they are unified by the use of theoretical insights about how to link neuronal activity to decisions.
On Independent Sets in Graphs with Given Minimum Degree
Authors: LAW HIU-FAI , McDIARMID COLIN
Published: September 2013

We consider numbers and sizes of independent sets in graphs with minimum degree at leastd. In particular, we investigate which of these graphs yield the maximum numbers of independent sets of different sizes, and which yield the largest random independent sets. We establish a strengthened form of a conjecture of Galvin concerning the first of these topics.
Genome signature-based dissection of human gut metagenomes to extract subliminal viral sequences
Authors: Ogilvie Lesley A. , Bowler Lucas D. , Caplin Jonathan , Dedi Cinzia , Diston David , Cheek Elizabeth , Taylor Huw , Ebdon James E. , Jones Brian V.
Published: September 2013

Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) have a key role in shaping the development and functional outputs of host microbiomes. Although metagenomic approaches have greatly expanded our understanding of the prokaryotic virosphere, additional tools are required for the phage-oriented dissection of metagenomic data sets, and host-range affiliation of recovered sequences. Here we demonstrate the application of a genome signature-based approach to interrogate conventional whole-community metagenomes and access subliminal, phylogenetically targeted, phage sequences present within. We describe a portion of the biological dark matter extant in the human gut virome, and bring to light a population of potentially gut-specific Bacteroidales-like phage, poorly represented in existing virus like particle-derived viral metagenomes. These predominantly temperate phage were shown to encode functions of direct relevance to human health in the form of antibiotic resistance genes, and provided evidence for the existence of putative ‘viral-enterotypes’ among this fraction of the human gut virome.
In-line digital holographic microscopy using a consumer scanner
Authors: Shimobaba Tomoyoshi , Yamanashi Hiroya , Kakue Takashi , Oikawa Minoru , Okada Naohisa , Endo Yutaka , Hirayama Ryuji , Masuda Nobuyuki , Ito Tomoyoshi
Published: September 2013

We demonstrate an in-line digital holographic microscopy using a consumer scanner. The consumer scanner can scan an image with 4,800 dpi. The pixel pitch is approximately 5.29 μm. The system using a consumer scanner has a simple structure, compared with synthetic aperture digital holography using a camera mounted on a two-dimensional moving stage. In this demonstration, we captured an in-line hologram with 23, 602 × 18, 023 pixels (≈0.43 gigapixels). The physical size of the scanned hologram is approximately 124 mm × 95 mm. In addition, to accelerate the reconstruction time of the gigapixel hologram and decrease the amount of memory for the reconstruction, we applied the band-limited double-step Fresnel diffraction to the reconstruction.
Formation control of multi‐agent systems with stochastic switching topology and time‐varying communication delays
Authors: Xue Dong , Yao Jing , Wang Jun , Guo Yafeng , Han Xu
Published: September 2013

In this study, the authors formulate and study the distributed formation problem of multi‐agent systems (MASs) with randomly switching topologies and time‐varying delays. The non‐linear dynamics of each agent at different time intervals corresponds to different switching mode, and the switching design reflects the changing of travelling path in practical systems. The communication topology of the system switches among finite modes that are governed by a finite‐state Markov process. On the basis of artificial potential functions, a formation controller is designed in a general form. Sufficient conditions for stochastic formation stability of the MAS are obtained in terms of a Lyapunov functional and linear matrix inequalities. Some heuristic rules to design a formation controller for the MAS are then presented. Finally, specific potential functions are discussed and corresponding simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Dynamic compensator‐based second‐order sliding mode controller design for mechanical systems
Authors: Chang Jeang‐Lin
Published: September 2013

For mechanical systems using displacement measurements only, this study presents a dynamic compensator‐based second‐order sliding mode control algorithm without using any observer structure to estimate the velocity. Introducing the compensator into the sliding variable, a modified asymptotically stable second‐order sliding mode control is developed. The proposed low‐order dynamic controller inherently has low‐pass filter property in which the effect of differentiators can be obtained. Using singular perturbation theory, the authors show that the system state is finally constrained in a small bound region when the gain is high enough. Finally, a numerical example is explained for demonstrating the applicability of the proposed scheme.
Effective traffic management based on bounded rationality and indifference bands
Authors: Vreeswijk Jaap , Bie Jing , van Berkum Eric , van Arem Bart
Published: September 2013

Constrained cognitive abilities cause imperfections in drivers’ choice behaviour and appear largely systematic and predictable. This study introduces the concept of ‘effective control space’ to build upon this knowledge as an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of Dynamic Traffic Management (DTM). Within the control space boundaries it is assumed that drivers do not act upon the effects of DTM measures, they behave as being indifferent to them. This study debates that: (i) drivers’ ability to detect changes in attributes of their trip or the performance of a traffic system is limited, (ii) drivers make mistakes in estimating the value of such changes and (iii) drivers apply a great diversity of choice patterns but do not necessary adapt their choice. Hence, for some DTM measures to be effective effects should not exceed the control space boundaries, whereas other DTM measures need to give drivers an incentive that exceeds these boundaries. Knowledge on the effective control space may support road authorities to operationalise their measures most effectively. With the theories of indifference bands and decision‐making as starting point a theoretical and conceptual framework are provided, supported by a numerical example to demonstrate how application can steer a system towards its optimal state.