bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atlas of Material Damage. By George Wypych, ChemTec Publishing, Year 2012; 310 Pages. Price $325.00, ISBN 978-1-895198-48-5
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: February 2013

Atlas of Material Damage has 464 microscopic pictures, schematic diagrams, and a few graphs, which show how materials fail, how they are produced to not fail, and how they are designed to perform particular functions to make outstanding products. Findings presented by each illustration are fully explained in the text and labeled.
Structural and Luminescence Properties of Lu2O3:Eu3+ F127 Tri-Block Copolymer Modified Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Method
Authors: De Jesus Morales Ramírez Angel , Hernández Margarita , Murillo Antonieta , De Jesús Carrillo Romo Felipe , Palmerin Joel , Velazquez Dulce , Jota María
Published: February 2013

Lu2O3:Eu3+ transparent, high density, and optical quality thin films were prepared using the sol-gel dip-coating technique, starting with lutetium and europium nitrates as precursors and followed by hydrolysis in an ethanol-ethylene glycol solution. Acetic acid and acetylacetonate were incorporated in order to adjust pH and as a sol stabilizer. In order to increment the thickness of the films and orient the structure, F127 Pluronic acid was incorporated during the sol formation. Structural, morphological, and optical properties of the films were investigated for different F127/Lu molar ratios (0–5) in order to obtain high optical quality films with enhanced thickness compared with the traditional method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the films present a highly oriented cubic structure <111> beyond 1073 K for a 3-layer film, on silica glass substrates. The thickness, density, porosity, and refractive index evolution of the films were investigated by means of m-lines microscopy along with the morphology by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and luminescent properties.
Microorganisms—A Forum for Understanding Microbial Life in All Its Forms
Authors: Fuerst John
Published: February 2013

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Microorganisms, a new open access journal, which is dedicated to microorganisms in all their forms and via any approach to their study. [...]
Evaluation of Selenite Effects on Selenoproteins and Cytokinome in Human Hepatoma Cell Lines
Authors: Rusolo Fabiola , Pucci Biagio , Colonna Giovanni , Capone Francesca , Guerriero Eliana , Milone Maria , Nazzaro Melissa , Volpe Maria , Bernardo Gianni , Castello Giuseppe , Costantini Susan
Published: February 2013

The need to explore new alternative therapeutic strategies and chemoprevention methods for hepatocellular carcinoma is growing significantly. Selenium is a trace element that plays a critical role in physiological processes, and is used in cancer chemoprevention. The aim of this work was to test in vitro the effect of sodium selenite on the human hepatoma cell lines, HepG2 and Huh7, to assess its effect on the expression of GPX1, SELK and SELENBP1 and also to evaluate its action on inflammation determinants such as cytokines. Our results show that: (i) the increase observed for the GPX1 and SELK expression is correlated with an increase in the sodium selenite concentration, also evidencing an inverse association between the levels of these two proteins and SELENBP1; (ii) the selenium concentrations evaluated in protein extracts increase in proportional way with the selenite concentrations used in the treatment, suggesting that other selenoproteins can also be modulated and should be evaluated in further studies, and (iii) some cytokines, VEGF and three pro-inflammatory cytokines, i.e., IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17, decreased with an increasing selenite concentration. Finally, interactomic studies show that GPX1 and SELK, and the four pro-inflammatory cytokines are functionally correlated evidencing a putative anti-inflammatory role for the selenite.
Selenoprotein-Transgenic Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Hou Qintang , Qiu Shi , Liu Qiong , Tian Jing , Hu Zhangli , Ni Jiazuan
Published: February 2013

Selenium (Se) deficiency is associated with the occurrence of many diseases. However, excessive Se supplementation, especially with inorganic Se, can result in toxicity. Selenoproteins are the major forms of Se in vivo to exert its biological function. Expression of those selenoproteins, especially with the application of a newly developed system, is thus very important for studying the mechanism of Se in nutrition. The use of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) as a biological vector to express an heterogeneous protein is still at the initial stages of development. In order to investigate the possibility of using this system to express selenoproteins, human 15-KDa selenoprotein (Sep15), a small but widely distributed selenoprotein in mammals, was chosen for the expression platform test. Apart from the wild-type human Sep15 gene fragment, two Sep15 recombinants were constructed containing Sep15 open reading frame (ORF) and the selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element from either human Sep15 or C. reinhardtii selenoprotein W1, a highly expressed selenoprotein in this alga. Those Sep15-containing plasmids were transformed into C. reinhardtii CC-849 cells. Results showed that Sep15 fragments were successfully inserted into the nuclear genome and expressed Sep15 protein in the cells. The transgenic and wild-type algae demonstrated similar growth curves in low Se culture medium. To our knowledge, this is the first report on expressing human selenoprotein in green alga.
The Role of the Meaning of Life and Religious Experience of God’s Presence and God's Absence Amongst Students with Different Levels of Conscience Sensitivity
Authors: Głaz Stanisław
Published: February 2013

The aim of the author's own research was: (a) defining the level of meaning in life and the level of religious experience (God's presence and God's absence) in groups of students with high and low levels of conscience sensitivity and (b) showing the connection between meaning in life and the level of religious experience (God's presence and God's absence) in groups of students with high and low levels of conscience sensitivity. The study was conducted in 2009–2010 among university students in Kraków. The subject group consisted of students of several non-Catholic public and state universities. All participants were Polish born, culturally homogeneous, and stemmed from families of average affluence. The age of the respondents ranged from 21 to 25. Two-hundred and forty sets of correctly completed questionnaires were used for the results analysis.
Direct Alloreactivity Is More Susceptible to Regulation by Natural Regulatory T Cells Than Indirect Alloreactivity
Authors: Noël Grégory , Belghith Meriam , Bélanger Benoit , Leduc Caroline , Daniel Claude
Published: February 2013

The contribution of natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (nTregs) in controlling graft rejection and the mechanism used remain controversial. Using the duality of the 2.102 TCR Ag recognition, we were able to study, for the first time to our knowledge, the involvement of nTregs in the two pathways of allorecognition in a murine adoptive transfer model in which TCR-transgenic nTregs were or were not depleted before transplantation. We show that nTregs used at a physiological ratio were able to delay graft rejection after direct alloreactivity by controlling proliferation and differentiation of alloreactive CD4+ conventional T cells in draining lymph nodes. In contrast, similar results were found in the indirect alloreactivity pathway only when nTregs were used in high numbers. In the latter pathway, nTregs used at a physiological ratio failed to delay graft rejection and to control proliferation of conventional T cells. These results support recent therapeutic approaches aimed at producing and using in vitro Ag-specific Foxp3+ nTregs to control graft rejection in transplantation. Finally, late inhibition of Th1 differentiation was shown in indirect alloreactivity, but this suppression could also be mediated by Foxp3+-induced Tregs.
Delta-like Ligand 4 Identifies a Previously Uncharacterized Population of Inflammatory Dendritic Cells That Plays Important Roles in Eliciting Allogeneic T Cell Responses in Mice
Authors: Mochizuki Kazuhiro , Xie Fang , He Shan , Tong Qing , Liu Yongnian , Mochizuki Izumi , Guo Yajun , Kato Koji , Yagita Hideo , Mineishi Shin , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2013

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) reflects an exaggerated inflammatory allogeneic T cell response in hosts receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Inhibition of pan-Notch receptor signaling in donor T cells causes reduction of GVHD. However, which Notch ligand(s) in what APCs is important for priming graft-versus-host reaction remains unknown. We demonstrate that δ-like ligand-4 (Dll4) and Dll4-positive (Dll4high) inflammatory dendritic cells (i-DCs) play important roles in eliciting allogeneic T cell responses. Host-type Dll4high i-DCs occurred in the spleen and intestine of HSCT mice during GVHD induction phase. These Dll4high i-DCs were CD11c+B220+PDCA-1+, resembling plasmacytoid dentritic cells (pDCs) of naive mice. However, as compared with unstimulated pDCs, Dll4high i-DCs expressed higher levels of costimulatory molecules, Notch ligands Jagged1 and Jagged2, and CD11b, and produced more Ifnb and Il23 but less Il12. In contrast, Dll4-negative (Dll4low) i-DCs were CD11c+B220−PDCA-1−, and had low levels of Jagged1. In vitro assays showed that Dll4high i-DCs induced significantly more IFN-γ– and IL-17–producing effector T cells (3- and 10-fold, respectively) than Dll4low i-DCs. This effect could be blocked by anti-Dll4 Ab. In vivo administration of Dll4 Ab reduced donor-alloreactive effector T cells producing IFN-γ and IL-17 in GVHD target organs, leading to reduction of GVHD and improved survival of mice after allogeneic HSCT. Our findings indicate that Dll4high i-DCs represent a previously uncharacterized i-DC population distinctive from steady state DCs and Dll4low i-DCs. Furthermore, Dll4 and Dll4high i-DCs may be beneficial targets for modulating allogeneic T cell responses, and could facilitate the discovery of human counterparts of mouse Dll4high i-DCs.
Loss of T Cell Progenitor Checkpoint Control Underlies Leukemia Initiation in Rag1-Deficient Nonobese Diabetic Mice
Authors: Yui Mary A. , Feng Ni , Zhang Jingli A. , Liaw Chen Yee , Rothenberg Ellen V. , Longmate Jeffrey A.
Published: February 2013

NOD mice exhibit major defects in the earliest stages of T cell development in the thymus. Genome-wide genetic and transcriptome analyses were used to investigate the origins and consequences of an early T cell developmental checkpoint breakthrough in Rag1-deficient NOD mice. Quantitative trait locus analysis mapped the presence of checkpoint breakthrough cells to several known NOD diabetes susceptibility regions, particularly insulin-dependent diabetes susceptibility genes (Idd)9/11 on chromosome 4, suggesting common genetic origins for T cell defects affecting this trait and autoimmunity. Genome-wide RNA deep-sequencing of NOD and B6 Rag1-deficient thymocytes revealed the effects of genetic background prior to breakthrough, as well as the cellular consequences of the breakthrough. Transcriptome comparison between the two strains showed enrichment in differentially expressed signal transduction genes, prominently tyrosine kinase and actin-binding genes, in accord with their divergent sensitivities to activating signals. Emerging NOD breakthrough cells aberrantly expressed both stem cell–associated proto-oncogenes, such as Lmo2, Hhex, Lyl1, and Kit, which are normally repressed at the commitment checkpoint, and post–β-selection checkpoint genes, including Cd2 and Cd5. Coexpression of genes characteristic of multipotent progenitors and more mature T cells persists in the expanding population of thymocytes and in the thymic leukemias that emerge with age in these mice. These results show that Rag1-deficient NOD thymocytes have T cell defects that can collapse regulatory boundaries at two early T cell checkpoints, which may predispose them to both leukemia and autoimmunity.
Use of oxytocin during Caesarean section at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana: An audit of clinical practice
Authors: Tsima Billy M. , Madzimbamuto Farai D. , Mash Bob
Published: February 2013

Background: Oxytocin is widely used for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. In the setting of Caesarean section (CS), the dosage and mode of administrating oxytocin differs according to different guidelines. Inappropriate oxytocin doses have been identified as contributory to some cases of maternal deaths. The main aim of this study was to audit the current standard of clinical practice with regard to the use of oxytocin during CS at a referral hospital in Botswana.Methods: A clinical audit of pregnant women having CS and given oxytocin at the time of the operation was conducted over a period of three months. Data included indications for CS, oxytocin dose regimen, prescribing clinician’s designation, type of anaesthesia for the CS and estimated blood loss.Results: A total of 139 case records were included. The commonest dose was 20 IU infusion (31.7%). The potentially dangerous regimen of 10 IU intravenous bolus of oxytocin was used in 12.9% of CS. Further doses were utilized in 57 patients (41%). The top three indications for CS were fetal distress (36 patients, 24.5%), dystocia (32 patients, 21.8%) and a previous CS (25 patients, 17.0%). Estimated blood loss ranged from 50 mL – 2000 mL.Conclusion: The use of oxytocin during CS in the local setting does not follow recommended practice. This has potentially harmful consequences. Education and guidance through evidence based national guidelines could help alleviate the problem.
Long-Term Field Performance of Biosand Filters in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti
Authors: Sisson Andrew J. , Wampler Peter J. , Rediske Richard R. , McNair James N. , Frobish Daniel J.
Published: February 2013

A field study assessing the sustainability and efficacy of 55 biosand filters installed during 1999–2010 was conducted in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti during 2011. Twenty-nine filters were still in use. Duration of filter use ranged from < 1 to 12 years. Water quality, microbial analysis, and flow rate were evaluated for each functioning filter. Kaplan-Meier analysis of filter lifespans showed that filter use remained high (> 85%) up to seven years after installation. Several filters were still in use after 12 years, which is longer than documented in any previous study. Filtered water from 25 filters (86%) contained Escherichia coli concentrations of < 10 most probable number of coliforms/100 mL. Recontamination of stored filtered water was negligible. Bacterial removal efficiency was 1.1 log10. Comparable results from previous studies in the same region and elsewhere show that biosand filter technology continues to be an effective and sustainable water treatment method in developing countries worldwide.
Aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval using simultaneous GOES-East and GOES-West reflected radiances over the western United States
Authors: Zhang H. , Hoff R. M. , Kondragunta S. , Laszlo I. , Lyapustin A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the western United States is observed independently by both the (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites) GOES-East and GOES-West imagers. The GASP (GOES Aerosol/Smoke Product) aerosol optical depth retrieval algorithm treats each satellite as a unique sensor and thus obtains two separate aerosol optical depth values at the same time for the same location. The TOA (the top of the atmosphere) radiances and the associated derived optical depths can be quite different due to the different viewing geometries with large difference in solar-scattering angles. In order to fully exploit the simultaneous observations and generate consistent AOD retrievals from the two satellites, the authors develop a new "hybrid" aerosol optical depth retrieval algorithm that uses data from both satellites. The algorithm uses both GOES-East and GOES-West visible channel TOA reflectance and daily average AOD from GOES Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (GOES-MAIAC) on low AOD days (AOD less than 0.3), when diurnal variation of AOD is low, to retrieve surface BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function). The known BRDF shape is applied on subsequent days to retrieve BRDF and AOD. The algorithm is validated at three AERONET sites over the western US. The AOD retrieval accuracy from the "hybrid" technique using the two satellites is similar to that from one satellite over UCSB (University of California Santa Barbara) and Railroad Valley, Nevada. Improvement of the accuracy is observed at Boulder, Colorado. The correlation coefficients between the GOES AOD and AERONET AOD are in the range of 0.67 to 0.81. More than 74% of AOD retrievals are within the error of ±(0.05 + 0.15 τ) compared to AERONET AOD. The hybrid algorithm has more data coverage compared to the single satellite retrievals over surfaces with high surface reflectance. For single observation areas the number of valid AOD data increases from the use of two-single satellite algorithms by 5–80% for the three sites. With the application of the new algorithm, consistent AOD retrievals and better retrieval coverages can be obtained using the data from the two GOES satellite imagers.
Rainfall measurement from opportunistic use of earth-space link in Ku Band
Authors: Barthès L. , Mallet C.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The present study deals with the development of a low cost microwave device devoted to measure average rain rate observed along earth – satellite links. The principle is to use rain atmospheric attenuation along Earth – space links in Ku-band to deduce the path averaged rain rate. These links are characterized by a path length of a few km through the troposphere. Ground based power measurements are carried out by receiving TV channels from different geostationary satellites in Ku-band. The major difficulty in this study is to retrieve rain characteristics among many fluctuations of the received signal which are due to atmospheric scintillations, changes in the composition of the atmosphere (water vapour concentration, cloud water content) or satellite features (variation of the emitted power, satellite motions). In order to perform a feasibility study of such a device, a measurement campaign has been performed for five months near Paris. This paper proposes an algorithm based on an artificial neural network to identify drought and rainy periods and to suppress the variability of the received signal due to no-rain effects. Taking into account the height of the rain layer, rain attenuation is then inverted to obtain path averaged rain rate. Obtained rainfall rates are compared with co-located rain gauges and radar measurements on the whole experiment period, then the most significant rainy events are analyzed.
Magnetosheath dynamic pressure enhancements: occurrence and typical properties
Authors: Archer M. O. , Horbury T. S.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The first comprehensive statistical study of large-amplitude (> 100%) transient enhancements of the magnetosheath dynamic pressure reveals events of up to ~ 15 times the ambient dynamic pressure with durations up to 3 min and an average duration of around 30 s, predominantly downstream of the quasi-parallel shock. The dynamic pressure transients are most often dominated by velocity increases along with a small fractional increase in the density, though the velocity is generally only deflected by a few degrees. Superposed wavelet transforms of the magnetic field show that, whilst most enhancements exhibit changes in the magnetosheath magnetic field, the majority are not associated with changes in the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). However, there is a minority of enhancements that do appear to be associated with solar wind discontinuities which cannot be explained simply by random events. In general, it is found that during periods of magnetosheath dynamic pressure enhancements the IMF is steadier than usual. This suggests that a stable foreshock and hence foreshock structures or processes may be important in the generation of the majority of magnetosheath dynamic pressure enhancements.
Large-Eddy Simulation of plume dispersion within various actual urban areas
Authors: Nakayama H. , Jurcakova K. , Nagai H.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Plume dispersion of hazardous materials within urban area resulting from accidental or intentional releases is of great concern to public health. Many researchers have developed local-scale atmospheric dispersion models using building-resolving computational fluid dynamics. However, an important issue is encountered when determining a reasonable domain size of the computational model in order to capture concentration distribution patterns influenced by urban surface geometries. In this study, we carried out Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) of plume dispersion within various urban areas with a wide range of obstacle density and building height variability. The difference of centerline mean and r.m.s. concentration distributions among various complex urban surface geometries becomes small for downwind distances from the point source greater than 1.0 km. From these results, it can be concluded that a length of a computational model should be at least 1.0 km from a point source.
Spatial and temporal patterns of greenhouse gas emissions from Three Gorges Reservoir of China
Authors: Zhao Y. , Wu B. F. , Zeng Y.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Anthropogenic activity has led to significant emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG), which is thought to play important roles in global climate changes. It remains unclear about the kinetics of GHG emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous Oxide (N2O) from the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) of China, which was formed after the construction of the famous Three Gorges Dam. Here we report monthly measurements for one year of the fluxes of these gases at multiple sites within the TGR region, including three major tributaries, six mainstream sites, two downstream sites and one upstream site. The tributary areas have lower CO2 fluxes than the main storage; CH4 fluxes in the tributaries and upper reach mainstream sites are relative higher. Overall, TGR showed significantly lower CH4 emission rates than most new reservoirs in temperate and tropical regions. We attribute this to the well-oxygenated deep water and high water velocities that may facilitate the consumption of CH4. TGR's CO2 fluxes were lower than most tropical reservoirs and higher than most temperate systems. This could be explained by the high load of labile soil carbon delivered through erosion to the Yangtze River. Compared to fossil-fuelled power plants of equivalent power output, TGR is a very small GHG emitter – annual CO2-equivalent emissions are approximately 1.7% of that of a coal-fired generating plant of comparable power output.
Towards a quasi-complete reconstruction of past atmospheric aerosol load and composition (organic and inorganic) over Europe since 1920 inferred from Alpine ice cores
Authors: Preunkert S. , Legrand M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Seasonally resolved chemical ice core records available from the Col du Dôme glacier (4250 m elevation, French Alps) are here revisited in view to reconstruct past aerosol load of the free European troposphere from prior World War II to present. The extended array of inorganic (Na+, Ca2+, NH4+, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−) and organic (carboxylates, HCHO, HUmic LIke Substances, dissolved organic carbon, water insoluble organic carbon, and black carbon) compounds and fractions already investigated permit to examine the overall aerosol composition and its change over the past. It is shown that the atmospheric load of submicron aerosol has been increased by a factor of 3 from the 1921–1951 to 1971–1988 years, mainly as a result of a large increase of sulfate (a factor of 5), ammonium and water-soluble organic aerosol (a factor of 3). It is shown that not only growing anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide and ammonia have caused the enhancement of the atmospheric aerosol load but also biogenic emissions producing water soluble organic aerosol. This unexpected change of biospheric source of organic aerosol after 1950 needs to be considered and further investigated in scenarii dealing with climate forcing by atmospheric aerosol.
Soil moisture controls on patterns of grass green-up in Inner Mongolia: an index based approach
Authors: Liu H. , Tian F. , Hu H. C. , Hu H. P. , Sivapalan M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Water availability is one of the most important environmental controls on vegetation phenology, especially in semi-arid regions. It is often represented in terms of soil moisture in small-scale studies, whereas it tends to be represented by precipitation in large-scale (e.g., regional) studies. Clearly, soil moisture is the more appropriate indicator for root water uptake and vegetation growth/phenology. Its potential advantage and applicability needs to be demonstrated at regional scales. The paper presents a data-based regional study of the effectiveness of novel water and temperature-based indices to predict spring vegetation green-up dates based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) observations in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China. The macro-scale hydrological model, VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity), is employed to generate a soil moisture database across the region. In addition to a standard index based on temperature, two potential hydrology-based indices for prediction of spring onset dates are defined, based on the simulated soil moisture data as well as on observed precipitation data. Results indicate that the correspondence between the NDVI-derived green-up onset date and the soil-moisture-derived potential onset date exhibits a significantly better correlation as a function of increasing aridity compared to that based on precipitation. In this way the soil-moisture-based index is demonstrated to be superior to the precipitation-based index in terms of capturing grassland spring phenology. The results also showed that both of the hydrological (water-based) indices were superior to the thermal (temperature-based) index in determining the patterns of grass green-up in the Inner Mongolia region, indicating water availability to be the dominant control on average. The understanding about the relative controls on grassland phenology and the effectiveness of alternative indices to capture these controls are important for future studies of vegetation phenology change under climate change.
A typical wave wake from high-speed vessels: its group structure and run-up
Authors: Didenkulova I. , Rodin A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. High-amplitude water waves induced by high-speed vessels are regularly observed in Tallinn Bay, the Baltic Sea, causing intense beach erosion and disturbing marine habitants in the coastal zone. Such a strong impact on the coast may be a result of a certain group structure of the wave wake. In order to understand it, here we present an experimental study of the group structure of these wakes at Pikakari beach, Tallinn Bay. The most energetic vessel waves at this location (100 m from the coast at the water depth 2.7 m) have amplitudes of about 1 m and periods of 8–10 s and cause maximum run-up heights on a beach up to 1.4 m. These waves represent frequency modulated packets where the largest and longest waves propagate ahead of other smaller amplitude and period waves. Sometimes the groups of different heights and periods can be separated even within one wave wake event. The wave heights within a wake are well described by the Weibull distribution, which has different parameters for wakes from different vessels. Wave run-up heights can also be described by Weibull distribution and its parameters can be connected to the parameters of the distribution of wave heights 100 m from the coast. Finally, the run-up of individual waves within a packet is studied. It is shown that the specific structure of frequency modulated wave packets, induced by high-speed vessels, leads to a sequence of high wave run-ups at the coast, even when the original wave heights are rather moderate. This feature can be a key to understanding the significant impact on coasts caused by fast vessels.
Anthemus and Hippias: The Policy of Amyntas I
Authors: Xydopoulos I. K.
Published: February 2013

The offer of the Anthemus region to the expelled Athenian tyrant Hippias by the king of Macedon, Amyntas I, illuminates aspects of the latter’s policy in the last decade of the sixth century B.C.E. This policy was connected with the interpersonal relationship between Amyntas and the Pisistratids as well as with the Persian presence in Thrace (Macedon was a client kingdom to Persia since 513-512 B.C.E.). By making this offer and by helping a prominent Athenian who had pro-Persian leanings, Amyntas was clearly showing his loyalty to Persia, hoping to get the maximum benefit for his kingdom.
Cockfighting and the Iconography of Panathenaic Amphorae
Authors: Eckerman Christopher
Published: February 2013

This article offers a new interpretation of the ’enigmatic’ cock columns on Panathenaic amphorae, suggesting that the vases portray votive monuments celebrating victories in cockfights. In support of this interpretation, the author uses an epigram of Callimachus, which describes such a monument, contemporary Athenian and non-Athenian votive monuments, which include victory monuments, iconographic analogues, as well as the historical importance of cockfighting in Athenian life. This interpretation stresses the symbolic congruence between the decoration and function of Panathenaic amphorae.
Plutarch on the Statesman: Stability, Change, and Regret
Authors: Fulkerson Laurel
Published: February 2013

This article explores Plutarch’s views of consistent and inconsistent behavior, suggesting that he finds the latter deeply problematic, particularly in the context of the Lives, where statesmen ought to have educated themselves properly before entering into public life; the Moralia offer a more "philosophical" paradigm, in which improvement can be valued as part of a maturation process. After summarizing Plutarch’s beliefs about the formation and deformation of character, I examine several Lives in which the protagonist is seen as inconsistent (Coriolanus, Themistocles, Demosthenes, Cicero, and Alcibiades), showing Plutarch’s different strategies for compensating for what he sees as a character flaw.
Agesilaus and the Case of the Lame Dancer
Authors: Sansone David
Published: February 2013

The works of Plutarch contain two anecdotes (Moralia 18d and 191f = 219e) concerning an otherwise unknown Spartan named Damonidas. Each of these anecdotes is found elsewhere applied to a variety of other named individuals, including Agesilaus (Xen. Ages. 2.17). The relationships among these anecdotes are examined and the conclusion is drawn that, in each case, the likelihood is that the other versions are derivative of the version concerning Damonidas. Acceptance of the argument entails a renewed questioning of the authenticity of Xenophon’s Agesilaus.
Imperial and Rhetorical Hunting in Pliny’sPanegyricus
Authors: Manolaraki Eleni
Published: February 2013

In Near Eastern, Egyptian, and Hellenistic cultures, hunting is the royal sport par excellence. To the Romans, however, it is a potentially self-indulgent distraction for any uir militaris. Pliny addresses the topic in his Panegyricus to infuse positive biographical, political, and cultural meaning into Trajan’s favorite pastime. By redefining hunting, Pliny neutralizes potential criticism of the emperor’s sport, alchemizes personal anecdote into political metaphor, and adds volume and biographical originality to his portrait of the optimus princeps.
Septicaemic listeriosis in reindeer calves – a case report
Authors: Nyyssönen Tuomo , Hirvelä-Koski Varpu , Norberg Harri , Nieminen Mauri
Published: February 2013

Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from 4 reindeer calves as a nearly pure growth from several internal organs, pointing to a septicaemic form of listeriosis. The calves were born in a calving corral. Silage feeding was considered the most probable source of the infection.Abstract in Finnish / Tiivistelmä:Listeria monocytogenes -bakteerin aiheuttama verenmyrkytys poronvasoilla – tapausselostus Toukokuussa 2005 Suomen poronhoitoalueen kaakkoisosassa sijaitsevassa vasotustarhassa kuoli neljä poronvasaa pian syntymän jälkeen 5-11 päivän ikäisinä. Kaikkien vasojen kuolinsyyksi todettiin Listeria monocytogenes -bakteerin aiheuttama verenmyrkytys. Tartunnan todennäköisin lähde oli vaatimien lisäruokinnassa käytetty säilörehu. Kyseessä on ensimmäinen poronvasoilla todettu Listeria monocytogenes -bakteerin aiheuttama verenmyrkytys Suomessa. Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Tilfelle av sjukdomsfremkallende Listeriabakterie i reinkalver Listeria monocytogenes ble isolert fra 4 reinkalver som en nesten ren vekst fra flere indre organer, noe som antyder en sykdomsfremkallende form av listeriose. Kalvene nedkom i en kalveinnhegning, og man antok at dårlig silofôr var smittekilden.
Inpatient health care utilization by children and adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus and kidney involvement
Authors: Tanzer Marie , Tran Cheryl , Messer Kassandra L. , Kroeker Amber , Herreshoff Emily , Wickman Larysa , Harkness Courtney , Song Peter , Gipson Debbie S.
Published: February 2013

Objective

To evaluate inpatient health care utilization for children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without kidney disease.

Methods

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database for the years 2000, 2003, and 2006 was used for this analysis. SLE hospitalizations from the 2006 cohort were identified and classified as those with versus without kidney involvement by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Analyses were performed to examine determinants of hospitalization charges and changes in charges over time.

Results

In the US, 7,390 SLE‐related pediatric hospitalizations generated $267 million in total charges in 2006. Of these, 4,193 discharges had kidney involvement. The average hospitalization charge was greater for SLE patients with kidney involvement compared to those without kidney involvement ($43,100 versus $28,500; P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, kidney involvement remained a significant predictor of hospitalization charges, independent of demographic and hospital characteristics (P < 0.0001). SLE‐associated acute kidney failure, transplant, and end‐stage kidney disease resulted in greater hospitalization charges than SLE without kidney involvement by $74,900 (P < 0.0001), $32,700 (P = 0.0002), and $27,400 (P < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusion

In the US, >7,000 hospitalizations occurred in 2006 among children with SLE, with nearly 57% demonstrating kidney involvement. Kidney involvement is a major determinant of hospitalization charges for these children. This study represents one of the first large‐scale assessments of in‐hospital health care utilization by children with SLE.
In Situ Qualitative Inspection of Hole Exit Delamination at Bottom‐Ply during Drilling of Woven CFRP Epoxy Composite Laminates
Authors: Faraz Ali , Biermann Dirk
Published: February 2013

Exploiting very high speed digital videography, an in situ examination of the hole exit delamination at the bottom‐most ply during drilling holes in the selected woven CFRP epoxy laminates is presented. At the beginning, a rotating elastic bulge of the carbon fibers at the bottom‐ply, which is just the impression of the protruding drill chisel edge, was always observed. Following the elastic bulging, a few, initial cracks along the weak fiber/matrix interfaces appeared. Thereafter, tensile failures in the carbon fibers were seen. The exact location of the initiation of these fiber failures specifically depends on the actual drill‐hole position with respect to the woven configuration of the bottom‐ply. A visual model for the weak interstitial or undulated regions at the bottom‐ply is also proposed in this paper, showing the undulating fibers, which are susceptible to mostly tensile failures under the drilling loads. During a sub‐completion drilling‐phase at the bottom‐ply, various cracks were seen to be propagating mostly via linear paths. Also, the exit delamination at the bottom‐ply during a sub‐completion drilling‐phase was always observed as to be divided into various small, independent localized contours—each of which propagated almost independently through within several individual warps/wefts during drill‐feed. Also, the shape of each such tiny contour within a single warp/weft was identified as elliptic, which is observed around an entire drill‐hole in unidirectional (UD) composites as reported in literature. It was also observed that the overhanging cantilever‐like fibers at the bottom‐ply are really difficult to cut, once their base‐location or their exit delamination contour reaches outside the hole nominal diameter. Moreover, by referring to some very basic cutting angle configurations for the orthogonal trimming of UD‐composites as found rarely in archival literature, an illustrative model diagram is also proposed for the drilling of the selected laminate material. This idea is also approximately validated via a few visual observations. The proposed visual model is generally an attempt in correlating the observed peripheral hole quality (delamination) with various instantaneous tool/fiber engagement configurations occurring across the entire drill‐hole periphery at the bottom‐ply, during the very last drilling‐phase.
Dynamic Doping in Planar Ionic Transition Metal Complex‐Based Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Meier Sebastian B. , van Reenen Stephan , Lefevre Bastien , Hartmann David , Bolink Henk J. , Winnacker Albrecht , Sarfert Wiebke , Kemerink Martijn
Published: February 2013

Using a planar electrode geometry, the operational mechanism of iridium(III) ionic transition metal complex (iTMC)‐based light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) is studied by a combination of fluorescence microscopy and scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM). Applying a bias to the LECs leads to the quenching of the photoluminescence (PL) in between the electrodes and to a sharp drop of the electrostatic potential in the middle of the device, far away from the contacts. The results shed light on the operational mechanism of iTMC‐LECs and demonstrate that these devices work essentially the same as LECs based on conjugated polymers do, i.e., according to an electrochemical doping mechanism. Moreover, with proceeding operation time the potential drop shifts towards the cathode coincident with the onset of light emission. During prolonged operation the emission zone and the potential drop both migrate towards the anode. This event is accompanied by a continuous quenching of the PL in two distinct regions separated by the emission line.
Short Synthetic β‐Sheet Forming Peptide Amphiphiles as Broad Spectrum Antimicrobials with Antibiofilm and Endotoxin Neutralizing Capabilities
Authors: Ong Zhan Yuin , Gao Shu Jun , Yang Yi Yan
Published: February 2013

Although naturally occurring membrane lytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their analogs hold enormous promise for antibiotics‐resistant infectious disease therapies, significant challenges such as systemic toxicities, long peptide sequences, poor understanding of structure‐activity relationships, and the potential for compromising innate host defense immunity have greatly limited their clinical applicability. To improve the clinical potential of AMPs, a facile approach is adopted to design a series of short synthetic β‐sheet folding peptide amphiphiles comprised of short recurring (X1Y1X2Y2)n‐NH2 sequences, where X1 and X2: hydrophobic residues (Val, Ile, Phe or Trp), Y1 and Y2: cationic residues (Arg or Lys), and n: number of repeat units; with systematic variations to the cationic and hydrophobic residues to obtain optimized AMP sequences bearing minimal resemblance to naturally occurring sequences. The designed β‐sheet forming peptides exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activities against various clinically relevant microorganisms, including Gram‐positive Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and yeast Candida albicans, with excellent selectivities for microbial membranes. Optimal synthetic peptides with n = 2 and n = 3 repeat units, i.e., (IRIK)2‐NH2 and (IRVK)3‐NH2, efficiently inhibit sessile biofilm bacteria growth leading to biomass reduction. Additionally, sequences with n = 3 repeat units effectively neutralize endotoxins while causing minimal cytotoxicities. Taken together, these findings clearly demonstrate that the rationally designed synthetic β‐sheet folding peptides are highly selective, non‐cytotoxic at antimicrobial levels and have tremendous potential for use as broad spectrum antimicrobial agents to overcome multidrug resistance in a wide range of localized, systemic, or external therapeutic applications.
Effects of social status and stress on patterns of gastrointestinal parasitism in wild white‐handed gibbons (Hylobates lar)
Authors: Gillespie Thomas R. , Barelli Claudia , Heistermann Michael
Published: February 2013

Although gibbons (family Hylobatidae) are typically monogamous, polyandrous groups occur regularly. Stress associated with elevated intragroup competition among males in polyandrous groups may increase susceptibility to infectious disease. To better understand this interplay, as well as to provide the first comprehensive assessment of parasitism in free‐ranging gibbons, we characterized the richness of gastrointestinal parasites and examined their prevalence in males from 14 groups (10 pair‐living, 4 multi‐male) of white‐handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. From September 2008 to May 2009, 324 fecal samples were collected from 23 individually recognizable male gibbons and screened for gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa after isolation via fecal floatation, sedimentation, and immunofluorescent antibody detection. A total of 10 parasite species recovered, including seven nematodes, two protozoans, and one trematode. Parasite richness and species‐specific prevalence were examined relative to social organization (pair‐living vs. multi‐male), male status (primary vs. secondary), age (subadult, adult, senior), fecal glucocorticoid levels, and time of the year. No relationship was found between parasite richness and sociodemographic or physiological factors. Similarly, prevalence of infection with parasite species was not associated with the majority of sociodemographic factors; however, Ternidens sp. and Balantidium coli varied seasonally and Trichuris sp. decreased with increasing age. Moreover, observational data suggest that competition is low in this gibbon population, and our findings are consistent with those observations in that cooperative defense may offset stress and reduce susceptibility to infection. Am J Phys Anthropol 150:602–608, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) variability in the Nile Valley: Identifying residential mobility during ancient Egyptian and Nubian sociopolitical changes in the New Kingdom and Napatan periods
Authors: Buzon Michele R. , Simonetti Antonio
Published: February 2013

As a successful technique for identifying residential mobility in other areas, this study investigates the feasibility of using 87Sr/86Sr analysis to track the movements of the ancient peoples of Egypt and Nubia in the Nile Valley, who interacted via trade, warfare, and political occupations over millennia. Dental enamel from faunal remains is used to examine variability in strontium sources in seven regional sites; human enamel samples are analyzed from eight Nile Valley sites in order to trace human movements. The faunal samples show a wide range of 87Sr/86Sr values demonstrating that some animals were raised in a variety of locales. The results of the human samples reveal overlap in 87Sr/86Sr values between Egyptian and Nubian sites; however, Egyptian 87Sr/86Sr values (mean/median [0.70777], sd [0.00027]) are statistically higher than the Nubian 87Sr/86Sr values (mean [0.70762], median [0.70757], sd [0.00036], suggesting that it is possible to identify if immigrant Egyptians were present at Nubian sites. Samples examined from the site of Tombos provide important information regarding the sociopolitical activities during the New Kingdom and Napatan periods. Based on a newly established local 87Sr/86Sr range, human values, and bioarchaeological evidence, this study confirms the preliminary idea that immigrants, likely from Egypt, were present during the Egyptian New Kingdom occupation of Nubia. In the subsequent Napatan period when Nubia ruled Egypt as the 25th Dynasty, 87Sr/86Sr values are statistically different from the New Kingdom component and indicate that only locals were present at Tombos during this developmental time. Am J Phys Anthropol 151:1–9, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Initiation of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis: All you need is two?
Authors: Swan Laura E.
Published: February 2013

Clathrin‐mediated endocytosis is a major route for the retrieval of plasma‐membrane cargoes, and defects of this process can cause catastrophic human dysfunctions. However, the processes governing how a clathrin‐coated profile (ccp) is initiated are still murky. Despite an ever‐growing cast of molecules proposed as triggers of ccp nucleation and increasingly sophisticated bioimaging techniques examining clathrin‐mediated endocytosis, it is yet unknown if ccp formation is governed by a universal mechanism. A recent paper by Cocucci et al. has tracked single‐molecule events to identify that stable accumulation of ccps requires the near‐simultaneous arrival of two AP2 adaptors bridged by one clathrin triskelion. This commentary examines the role of AP2 in cargo‐mediated endocytosis in the light of recent advances in biophotonics, chemical inhibitors and genetics, examines the claims of other molecules to be the initiators of ccp formation and proposes future directions in research into this topic.

Editor's suggested further reading in BioEssays: The evolution of dynamin to regulate clathrin‐mediated endocytosis Abstract

Clathrin‐mediated endocytosis: What works for small, also works for big Abstract
The synthesis and application of Fmoc‐Lys(5‐Fam) building blocks
Authors: Tokmina‐Roszyk Michal , Tokmina‐Roszyk Dorota , Fields Gregg B.
Published: February 2013

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide substrates are often utilized for protease activity assays. This study has examined the preparation of FRET triple‐helical peptide (THP) substrates using 5‐carboxyfluorescein (5‐Fam) as the fluorophore and 4,4‐dimethylamino‐azobenzene‐4'‐carboxylic acid (Dabcyl) as the quencher. The Nα‐(9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)‐Nε‐(5‐carboxyfluorescein)‐l‐lysine [Fmoc‐Lys(5‐Fam)] building block was synthesized utilizing two distinct synthetic routes. The first involved copper complexation of Lys while the second utilized Fmoc‐Lys with microwave irradiation. Both approaches allowed convenient production of a very pure final product at a reasonable cost. Fmoc‐Lys(5‐Fam) and Fmoc‐Lys(Dabcyl) were incorporated into the sequence of a THP substrate utilizing automated solid‐phase peptide synthesis protocols. A second substrate was assembled where (7‐methoxycoumarin‐4‐yl)‐acetyl (Mca) was the fluorophore and 2,4‐dinitrophenyl (Dnp) was the quencher. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to determine the influence of the fluorophore/quencher pair on the stability of the triple‐helix. The activity of the two substrates was examined with three matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP‐1, MMP‐13, and MT1‐MMP. The combination of 5‐Fam as fluorophore and Dabcyl as quencher resulted in a triple‐helical substrate that, compared with the fluorophore/quencher pair of Mca/Dnp, had a slightly destabilized triple‐helix but was hydrolyzed more rapidly by MMP‐1 and MMP‐13 and had greater sensitivity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 100: 347–355, 2013.