text:
- Review
- Open Access
Ascending placentitis in the mare: A review
- C. Cummins1Email author,
- S. Carrington1,
- E. Fitzpatrick1 and
- V. Duggan1
© The Author(s) 2008
- Published: 1 May 2008
Ascending placentitis is a condition that occurs late in pregnancy when bacteria enter the sterile uterus from the lower reproductive tract. It leads to abortion or the birth of premature and weakened foals. Early detection and treatment of this condition is vital for ensuring the production of a viable foal.
Mares with ascending placentitis often present in late term pregnancy with signs of premature udder development and premature lactation. There may be a vulvar discharge. Early detection of placental problems is possible using trans-abdominal or trans-rectal ultrasonography. Hormones such as progesterone and relaxin may be measured as indicators of foetal stress and placental failure. Postpartum foetal membranes may be thickened and contain a fibronecrotic exudate. The region most affected is the cervical star. Definitive diagnosis of ascending placentitis is by histopathological examination of the chorioallantoic membrane.
Ideal treatment strategies are aimed at curing the infection and prolonging the pregnancy to as close to term as possible and consist of anti-microbials, anti-inflammatories and hormonal support.
Swabs are taken from affected mares to determine antibiotic sensitivity and to aid in treatment of foals born from these mares which are at risk of becoming septic. If detected early enough, the chances of producing a viable foal are greatly increased.
- ascending
- placentitis
- pregnancy loss
- mare
Ireland is the main European producer of Thoroughbred (TB) horses and is responsible for a third of worldwide TB production [15]. There were approximately 30,000 Thoroughbred broodmares at stud in 2006 in Ireland and the UK. Of these, 23,400 were mated to Thoroughbred stallions. The conception rate, excluding mares that were exported or died, was 97%. The pregnancy failure rate was 8% [43]. These numbers show that although few mares fail to go in foal, a considerable number will lose the foal during the pregnancy.
The failure of pregnancy can be due to foetal or maternal factors and dysfunction of the placenta [56]. This review focuses on the loss of late term pregnancy due to infection, specifically ascending placentitis, in the mare.
Ascending placentitis is infection of the placenta by bacteria that migrate along the reproductive tract from the vagina through the cervical canal. This can lead to abortion, premature birth or the birth of a weak foal, and affected mares often have difficulties conceiving during the following breeding season [57, 56]. The condition is seen in late gestation, typically at eight to 10 months.
The current incidence of ascending placentitis in Ireland is unknown. It accounts for nearly 20% of all equine abortions, stillbirths and perinatal deaths in the USA [11]. In the UK it is implicated in 10% of such cases [49]. Reasons for this regional difference are unknown.
Normal anatomy and physiology
Ascending placentitis and its effect on the foetoplacental unit
The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is fundamental for the final development of the foetus in late gestation and has a function in inducing the onset of parturition [36, 35]. The HPA axis of the equine foetus matures very late in gestation compared with other species [36, 19]. Increasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines or prostaglandins in ascending placentitis stimulate maturation of the foetal HPA axis [19, 20, 23]. Foals from affected mares that survive premature birth may be physiologically underdeveloped but their adrenocortical function may be normal or transitional compared with those born prematurely from unaffected mares [44, 36]. These foals may survive with minimal care [20, 23]. This has implications for treatment of disease. If the length of gestation can be prolonged, the prospect of producing a viable foal can be improved [20].
In experimentally induced placentitis, a portion of the cervical mucus plug must be removed in order to inoculate the uterus with bacteria [27, 32]. Therefore, in naturally occurring ascending placentitis there must be a failure of the mucus plug [27] That is, either the plug does not form properly or it disintegrates. The reasons for failure of the mucus plug are, as yet, unknown.
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women is a condition similar to ascending placentitis in the mare. The vagina becomes chronically colonised by an abnormal microbial flora. These bacteria produce enzymes which are capable of degrading the cervical mucus plug, thus allowing bacteria access to the placenta [14]. This leads to inflammation of the placenta and premature labour [13]. A similar mode of action may apply in mares with ascending placentitis, whereby abnormal bacteria in the tract produce mucus-degrading enzymes. Certain bacterial pathogens occasionally found in the equine reproductive tract, for example Pseudomonas aeruginosa, do produce mucus degrading enzymes [24, 50].
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is the bacteria most often isolated from affected mares. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Leptospira spp., Enterobacter spp., α-haemolytic Streptococci, Staphylococci spp. and nocardioforms have also been implicated [11]; Hong et al., 1993). It is possible that bacteria may be responsible for the degradation of the mucus plug but are not the pathogens that affect the placenta. These organisms may be facilitatory in degrading the cervical defences, allowing commensals such as S. zooepidemicus access to the placenta.
Clinical signs
Clinical signs of ascending placentitis in the mare
Clinical signs of ascending placentitis
Premature udder development
Premature lactation
Vulvar discharge
Softening of the cervix
In addition to this, there may be a vulvar discharge (Figure 2) and/or relaxation of the cervix. Alternatively, abortion may occur suddenly in affected animals without any warning signs [57, 3].
Live foals born to mares affected with ascending placentitis may be premature, weak and/or unthrifty and may develop sepsis [1]. Alternately, they may present as a 'dummy' foal, as a result of chronic in utero transplacental oxygen deprivation [58, 1]. High creatinine concentrations in the neonatal foal that resolve rapidly over the first day or two suggest placental insufficiency, as the placenta functions as the excretory organ of the foetal foal [58, 1, 31].
Early diagnosis of ascending placentitis is essential to increasing the likelihood of producing a viable foal. This condition should be considered as a possible cause in a mare with premature lactation.
Mares that have a vulvar discharge should be carefully examined using a sterile speculum. If the speculum passes easily into the vagina, the cervix can be evaluated for competency, presence of the mucus plug and/or discharge. Care should be taken not to stimulate the cervix during the examination as this can induce premature parturition [12]. If the speculum does not pass easily, it is likely that the normal thick vaginal mucus is still in place and this should not be disturbed.
Ultrasonography can be used to detect or confirm cases of ascending placentitis in suspect cases showing the classical clinical signs and also in subclinical mares [40, 17, 2, 32, 55]. Ultrasound scanning can be performed trans-rectally or trans-abdominally. Measurements of the uterine wall and attached chorioallantois may be used to identify mares at risk of ascending placentitis. This measurement is known as the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP). If the CTUP is increased, placental insufficiency is likely present and abortion may ensue [41, 57, 56, 17]. Measurement of the CTUP can be taken at the placento-cervical junction when scanning trans-rectally or at the uterine body or uterine horns when scanned trans-abdominally [41].
Upper limits for the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) by transrectal ultrasonography during late gestation (adapted from Renaudin et al., 1997)
Day of gestation
Normal CTUP (mm)
Another disadvantage of trans-abdominal scanning is that focal areas of abnormal placenta may be missed as the only parts of the uterus and placenta that can be evaluated are those which are closest to the abdominal wall [2, 55]. The cervical pole of the placenta, which is the region most affected in ascending placentitis, can be easily evaluated trans-rectally. Examination may reveal separation of the chorioallantois from the endometrium and the presence of pus [57, 23, 55]. This may lead to identification of ascending placentitis in mares not yet showing clinical signs [55]. Rectal ultrasound is a routine procedure used to diagnose problems in late term pregnancy. In a study by Renaudin et al. [41] there were no reports of adverse effects of using rectal ultrasound in late term mares.
Indicators of placental failure, detectable by ultrasound, in late gestation of the mare (adapted from Reimer, 1997 and Troedsson and Macpheron, 2006)
Anomalies detectable by ultrasound
Noticeable abnormality of foetus, foetal position or foetal activity
Increases or decreases in foetal heart rate
Accumulation of fluid between chorioallantoic membrane and endometrium - leads to placental separation
Thickened placenta
Abnormalities of the umbilical cord
Greatly increased or reduced allantoic or amniotic fluids
Increased echogenicity of the allantoic and amniotic fluids
Foetal heart rate during pregnancy (adapted from [5])
Month of gestation
Heart rate - beats per minute
Plasma progesterone levels during pregnancy of the normal mare (adapted from [54])
Day of gestation
Plasma progesterone level
(ng per ml)
Relaxin concentrations could potentially be useful in diagnosing insufficiency of the placenta. Relaxin is primarily produced by the placenta [35]. Subnormal levels of relaxin may be present in mares with compromised pregnancies [45, 53, 56]. However, measurement of relaxin concentration is not routinely available at most equine diagnostic centres.
Postpartum examination of the placenta in these cases may reveal thickening and discolouration of the chorioallantoic surface primarily in the region of the cervical star [31]. There may also be a purulent exudate [57, 30, 47]. The cervical star is the area of the chorioallantoic membrane that ruptures during normal delivery. If there has been premature detachment of the chorioallantois from the endometrium the rupture may occur in another area [30, 31, 47] and may result in a 'red bag' delivery. The chorioallantoic membrane may appear normal on gross examination; however, microscopically, it may be severely inflamed. Therefore, the foetal membranes including the umbilical cord should be submitted for histopathological investigation to confirm the diagnosis [3].
In cases of abortion, the foetus and the foetal membranes should be submitted. Uterine swabs should be taken from all mares that deliver prematurely to eliminate bacterial infection as the cause and, if infection is found, to aid treatment of the foal with appropriate antibiotics [3].
Management of ascending placentitis is aimed at fighting the infection, reducing the inflammatory response and supporting the pregnancy (LeBlanc, 2004d)[25, 55]. There is a correlation between chronic placentitis and accelerated foetal maturation [44, 20, 23]. If the pregnancy can be prolonged for a few weeks after the clinical signs of ascending placentitis are first seen, then a premature foal may be born with an improved likelihood of survival [23]. In other words, the dam is a better incubator for a compromised foal than a neonatal intensive care unit. Broad spectrum antibiotics are used to treat the infection in ascending placentitis [23]. Potentiated sulphonamides (trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, 30 mg/kg, BID PO) and penicillin (procaine penicillin 22,000 IU/kg BID IM or crystalline penicillin 22,000 IU/kg QID IV) have been shown to cross the placenta and so are useful where organisms are susceptible to these drugs [33, 25, 55]. Gentamicin (6.6 mg/kg SID IV) has not been shown to achieve a high enough concentration in the allantoic fluid to inhibit Streptococcus equi [46]. However, it may achieve concentrations adequate to be effective against E. coli and Klebsiella spp. [33, 25]. A swab of the vulvar discharge should be taken to identify organisms and determine antibiotic sensitivity.
Inflammation and the increased level of prostaglandins are initiating factors in preterm parturition [22]. Anti-inflammatories which block inflammatory cytokines may be useful in treating this (LeBlanc, 2004d). It has not yet been determined if flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg IV or IM) can transfer across the equine placenta to reach adequate concentrations [33]. Mares affected with ascending placentitis may be treated with pentoxifylline (8.5 mg/kg, BID PO), a member of the methylxanthine class of drugs. Pentoxifylline inhibits the transcription of the tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF) gene and suppresses the production of this proinflammatory cytokine [7, 51, 19] (2004d),[25]. It is also a rheologic agent which is thought to improve microcirculatory blood flow [10].
Tocolytics are given to women in premature labour. These drugs can interrupt the premature uterine contractions and therefore delay impending parturition [23]. Efficacy in extending gestation has not been proven when these drugs are used alone [25, 55]. Clenbuterol has been demonstrated to cause uterine relaxation during late gestation, for up to two hours [38]. However, studies have shown that it may cause relaxation of the cervix and treated mares may, in fact, give birth earlier than untreated mares [4, 38, 25, 55]. Therefore, it cannot be recommended that mares suffering from ascending placentitis be treated with clenbuterol.
The synthetic progesterone analogue, altrenogest, is thought to have an anti-prostaglandin effect [6, 23]. This can help to maintain the quiescence of the uterus [21, 23, 25]. Although the mechanisms are not fully understood, it is often given to mares showing clinical signs of placentitis. Trials on the efficacy of this approach have not yet been undertaken. However, some veterinary practitioners recommend double the normal dose, (0.088 mg/kg, SID PO) [21, 35]. Treatment is maintained throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.
Ascending placentitis is an important cause of late term foetal loss in the mare. Affected mares exhibit premature lactation and may have a vulvar discharge. Early detection of the ascending placentitis and implementation of treatment is critical in increasing the possibility of survival of the neonate.
Diagnosis may be assisted by prepartum ultrasonographic evaluation of the foetoplacental unit and treatment is aimed at prolonging the pregnancy to produce a viable foal. Combined therapy of long-term antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and synthetic progestagens is used to increase possibility of producing live, viable foals. In addition to the obvious economic consequences of the loss of a viable foal, there is also a decrease in the fertility of the mare for the following breeding season [57, 56].
There are still many unanswered questions regarding the pathogenesis of ascending placentitis and the most appropriate treatment strategies. Current research is aimed at determining the predisposing factors, discovering a method of early detection and validating appropriate treatments.
The authors' research is funded by a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (International re-Integration Programme Proposal N° 041304-ChAirDis) to Vivienne Duggan, which funds Carolyn Cummins. The authors would like to thank Mary Gallagher, Tommy McGeady and Eva Maischberger for their help.
Authors' Affiliations
- Bain FT: Management of the foal from the mare with placentitis: A clinician's approach. Proceedings of the 50th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Denver, Colorado. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, Document No. 2004, P1419.1204, [http://www.ivis.org]
- Bucca S, Fogarty U, Collins A, Small V: Assessment of fetoplacental well-being in the mare from mid-gestation to term: Transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonographic features. Theriogenology. 2005, 64: 542-557. 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.011.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Calderwood Mays MB, LeBlanc MM, Paccamonti D: Route of fetal infection in a model of ascending placentitis. Theriogenology. 2002, 58: 791-792. 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00823-3.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Card CE, Wood MR: Effects of acute administration of clenbuterol on uterine tone and equine fetal and maternal heart rates. Biol Reprod Monogr. 1995, 1: 7-11.Google Scholar
- Curran S, Ginther OJ: M-mode ultrasonic assessment of equine fetal heart rate. Theriogenology. 1995, 44: 609-617. 10.1016/0093-691X(95)00241-Y.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Daels PF, Besognet B, Hansen B, Mohammed H, Odensvik K, Kindahl H: Effect of progesterone on prostaglandin f2 alpha secretion and outcome of pregnancy during cloprostenol-induced abortion in mares. Am J Vet Res. 1996, 57: 1331-1337.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Doherty GM, Jensen JC, Alexander HR, Buresh CM, Norton JA: Pentoxifylline suppression of tumor necrosis factor gene transcription. Surgery. 1991, 110 (2): 192-198.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- England GCW: Allen's fertility and obstetrics in the horse. 1996, Cambridge: Blackwell Science Ltd, 49-53. 2Google Scholar
- Fowden AL, Ousey JC, Forhead AJ: Nutritive and endocrine functions of the equine placenta. Proceedings of a Workshop on the Equine Placenta. 2004, Kentucky: University of Kentucky, 36-48.Google Scholar
- Geor RJ, Weiss DJ, Burris SM, Smith CM: Effects of furosemide and pentoxifylline on blood flow properties in horses. Am J Vet Res. 1992, 53 (11): 2043-9.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Giles RC, Donahue JM, Hong CB, Tuttle PA, Petrites-Murphy MB, Poonacha KB, Roberts AW, Tramontin RR, Smith B, Swerczek TW: Causes of abortion, stillbirth, and perinatal death in horses: 3,527 cases (1986-1991). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1993, 203: 1170-1175.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Handler J, Konigshofer M, Kindahl H, Schams D, Aurich C: Secretion patterns of oxytocin and PGF2 alpha-metabolite in response to cervical dilatation in cyclic mares. Theriogenology. 2003, 59: 1381-91. 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)01189-5.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Hillier SL, Nugent RP, Eschenbach DA, Krohn MA, Gibbs RS, Martin DH, Cotch MF, Edelman R, Pastorek JG, Rao AV, McNellis D, Regan JA, Carey JC, Klebanoff MA: Association between bacterial vaginosis and preterm delivery of a lowbirth-weight infant. The vaginal infections and prematurity study group N Engl J Med. 1995, 333: 1737-1742.Google Scholar
- Howe L, Wiggins R, Soothill PW, Millar MR, Horner PJ, Corfield AP: Mucinase and sialidase activity of the vaginal microflora: Implications for the pathogenesis of preterm labour. Int J STD AIDS. 1999, 10: 442-447. 10.1258/0956462991914438.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Indecon International Economic Consultants: An assessment of the economic contribution of the thoroughbred breeding and horse racing industry in Ireland. 2004, European Breeders Fund, Horse Racing Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. IndeconGoogle Scholar
- Katz DF, Slade DA, Nakajima ST: Analysis of preovulatory changes in cervical mucus hydration and sperm penetrability. Adv Contracept. 1997, 13: 143-151. 10.1023/A:1006543719401.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Kelleman AA, Luznar SL, Lester GD, Paccamonti DL, LeBlanc MM: Evaluation of transrectal ultrasonographic combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (ctup) in a model of induced ascending placentitis in late gestation in the pony mare. Theriogenology. 2002, 58: 845-848. 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00785-9.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Lagow E, DeSouza MM, Carson DD: Mammalian reproductive tract mucins. Hum Reprod Update. 1999, 5: 280-292. 10.1093/humupd/5.4.280.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- LeBlanc MM: Ascending placentitits in the mare: Does treatment really help?. Proceedings of the 10 Congresso Nazionala Multisala SIVE. 2004, Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- LeBlanc MM: Ascending placentitis in the mare: What we learned from an experimental model. Proceedings of the 10 Congresso Nazionala Multisala SIVE. 2004, Perugia. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- LeBlanc MM: Infertility: Mares that conceive and lose their pregnancy. Proceedings of the 10 Congresso Nazionala Multisala SIVE. 2004, Perugia. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- LeBlanc MM, Giguere S, Brauer K, Paccamonti DL, Horohov DW, Lester GD, O'Donnell LJ, Sheerin BR, Pablo L, Rodgerson DH: Premature delivery in ascending placentitis is associated with increased expression of placental cytokines and allantoic fluid prostaglandins e2 and f2. Theriogenology. 2002, 58: 841-844. 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00822-1.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- LeBlanc MM, Macpherson M, Sheerin P: Ascending placentitis: What we know about pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Proceedings of the 50th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2004, Denver, Colorado. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- Leprat R, Michel-Briand Y: Extracellular neuraminidase production by a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cystic fibrosis. Ann Microbiol (Paris). 1980, 131B: 209-222.Google Scholar
- Macpherson ML: Treatment strategies for mares with placentitis. Theriogenology. 2005, 64: 528-534. 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.009.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- McGeady TA, Quinn PJ, Fitzpatrick ES, Ryan MT: Veterinary Embryology. 2006, Cornwall: Blackwell PublishingGoogle Scholar
- McGlothlin JA, Lester GD, Hansen PJ, Thomas M, Pablo L, Hawkins DL, LeBlanc MM: Alteration in uterine contractility in mares with experimentally induced placentitis. Reproduction. 2004, 127: 57-66. 10.1530/rep.1.00021.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- McKinnon AO, Voss JM: Equine reproduction. 1993, Philadelphia: Lea & FebigerGoogle Scholar
- McKinnon AO, Voss JM: Equine reproduction. 1993, Philadelphia: Lea & FebigerGoogle Scholar
- Morresey PR: How to perform a field assessment of the equine placenta. Proceedings of the 50th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Denver, CO, USA Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, Document no. 2004, P1474.1204, [http://www.ivis.org]
- Morresey PR: Prenatal and perinatal indicators of neonatal viability. Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice. 2005, 4: 238-249. 10.1053/j.ctep.2005.07.005.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Morris S, Kelleman AA, Stawicki RJ, Hansen PJ, Sheerin PC, Sheerin BR, Paccamonti DL, Leblanc MM: Transrectal ultrasonography and plasma progestin profiles identifies fetoplacental compromise in mares with experimentally induced placentitis. Theriogenology. 2006, 67: 681-691. 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.05.021.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Murchie TA, Macpherson M, LeBlanc MM, Luznar S, Vickroy TW: A microdialysis model to detect drugs in the allantoic fluid of pregnant pony mares. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2003, New Orleans, Louisiana. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- Nishikawa Y: Studies on reproduction in horses. 1959, Tokyo: Japan Racing AssociationGoogle Scholar
- Ousey JC: Peripartal endocrinology in the mare and foetus. Reprod Domest Anim. 2004, 39: 222-231. 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2004.00507.x.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Ousey JC, Rossdale PD, Palmer L, Fowden AL: The role of the adrenals and effects of ACTH treatment on development and maturation of the equine fetus in late gestation. Havemeyer Foundation Monograph Series 2: Proceedings of a workshop on fetomaternal control of pregnancy. 1999, Barbados, West Indies. Havemeyer FoundationGoogle Scholar
- Ousey JC, Houghton E, Grainger L, Rossdale PD, Fowden AL: Progestagen profiles during the last trimester of gestation in thoroughbred mares with normal or compromised pregnancies. Theriogenology. 2005, 63: 1844-1856. 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.08.010.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Palmer E, Chauvatte-Palmer P, Duchamp G, Levy I: Lack of effect of clenbuterol for delaying parturition in late pregnant mares. Theriogenology. 2002, 58: 797-799. 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00792-6.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Reef VB, Vaala WE, Worth LT, Spencer PA, Hammett B: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the fetus and intrauterine environment in healthy mares during late gestation. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound. 1995, 36: 533-541.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Reimer JM: Use of transcutaneous ultrasonography in complicated latter-middle to late gestation pregnancies in the mare: 122 cases. Proceedings of the 43rd American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention. 1997, Phoenix, Arizona. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- Renaudin CD, Troedsson MH, Gillis CL, King VL, Bodena A: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the equine placenta by transrectal and transabdominal approach in the normal pregnant mare. Theriogenology. 1997, 47: 559-573. 10.1016/S0093-691X(97)00014-9.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Renaudin CD, Liu IK, Troedsson MH, Schrenzel MD: Transrectal ultrasonographic diagnosis of ascending placentitis in the mare: a report of two cases. Equine Vet Educ. 1999, 11: 69-74. 10.1111/j.2042-3292.1999.tb00924.x.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Ricketts SW: The Veterinary Surgeon in Modern Studfarm Practice. Equine stud medicine course. 2007, Newmarket: Lifelearn LimitedGoogle Scholar
- Rossdale PD, Ousey JC, Cottrill CM, Chavatte P, Allen WR, McGladdery AJ: Effects of placental pathology on maternal plasma progestagen and mammary secretion calcium concentrations and on neonatal adrenocortical function in the horse. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1991, 44: 579-590.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Ryan P, Vaala W, Bagnell C: Evidence that equine relaxin is a good indicator of placental insufficiency in the mare. Proceedings of the 44th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. 1998, Baltimore, Maryland. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- Santschi EM, Papich MG: Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in mares in late pregnancy and early lactation. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2000, 23: 359-363. 10.1046/j.1365-2885.2000.00298.x.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Schlafer DH: Postmortem examination of the equine placenta, foetus and neonate: Methods and interpretation of findings. Proceedings of the 50th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2004, Denver, CO, USA Document no. P1418.1204. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- Small Victoria: Transabdominal and transrectal ultrasound scanning of the pregnant mare from five months to term. Masters in veterinary medicine thesis. 2000, University College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandGoogle Scholar
- Smith KC, Blunden AS, Whitwell KE, Dunn KA, Wales AD: A survey of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death in the uk from 1988 to 1997. Equine Vet J. 2003, 35: 496-501. 10.2746/042516403775600578.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Soong G, Muir A, Gomez MI, Waks J, Reddy B, Planet P, Singh PK, Kaneko Y, Wolfgang MC, Hsiao YS, Tong L, Prince A: Bacterial neuraminidase facilitates mucosal infection by participating in biofilm production. J Clin Invest. 2006, 116: 2297-2305. 10.1172/JCI27920.PubMed CentralView ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Staudinger T, Presterl E, Graninger W, Locker GJ, Knapp S, Laczika K, Klappacher G, Stoiser B, Wagner A, Tesinsky P, Kordova H, Frass M: Influence of pentoxifylline on cytokine levels and inflammatory parameters in septic shock. Intensive Care Med. 1996, 22: 888-893. 10.1007/BF02044112.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Stawicki RJ, Ruebel H, Hansen PJ, Sheerin BR, O'Donnell LJ, Lester GD, Paccamonti DL, LeBlanc MM: Endocrinological findings in an experimental model of ascending placentitis in the mare. Theriogenology. 2002, 58: 849-852. 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00864-6.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Stewart DR, Stabenfeldt GH, Hughes JP: Relaxin activity in foaling mares. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1982, 32: 603-609.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Terblanche HM, Maree L: Plasma progesterone levels in the mare during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. J SAfr Vet Assoc. 1981, 52: 181-185.Google Scholar
- Troedsson MH, Macpherson ML: Diagnosis and treatment of equine placentitis. Proceedings of the XXVIII Congreso Anual. Mexico. 2006, [http://www.ammvee.org.mx]Google Scholar
- Troedsson MH, Sage AM: Fetal/placental evaluation in the mare Advances in Equine Reproduction. Edited by: BA Ball. 2001, Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, Document No. A0203.0501, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- Troedsson MH, Zent WW: Transrectal ultrasonography of the placenta in normal mares and mares with pending abortion: A field study. Proceedings of the 43rd American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention. 1997, Phoenix, Arizona. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar
- Vaala WE: Peripartum asphyxia syndrome in foals. Proceedings of the 45th American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention. 1999, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service, [http://www.ivis.org]Google Scholar


text: Would you survive as a warrior cat Quiz at Quiztron Make a quiz or personality test and send it to your friends! Quiz Search: Take Quizzes Make Quizzes Discuss Most Liked QuizzesLatest Quizzes Alert! You have New Private Message(s)! (12:21:59 AM) Read Now Would you survive as a warrior cat? Will you only live through kit-hood? Only live through apprenticehood? Only live through warriorhood? Or live until elderhood? 1. You are a small kit and your brother suggests that you stay in the den where it`s safer, your sister also suggest you explore the territory, but you want them to raid Shadowclan do you... Listen to your brother and hide in the den Listen to your sister and explore the territory Do what you like and raid Shadowclan Copromise and raid Windclan try to hunt for fun sneak into the medicine den eatting random berries explore the twoleg place 2. You are a bigger kit and want to have some fun with your siblings do you play mossball in the nursery with your brother, play mouse and warrior with your sister or... Mossball with your brother mouse and warrior with your sister explore camp with your friends play battle with a warrior 3. You and your siblings finally become warriors, your mentor let`s you chose what to do first do you... explore the territory with your brother Learn how to do the elder`s fleas and ticks with your sister learn to hunt with a few friends learn basic defense with your mentor 4. You are about half way done with your trainning and you are invited by your leader to join the attack on Shadowclan with your siblings who already accepted to go... do you deny in risk of death agree, but end up loosing your life saving your skittery brother agree, but let your brother die agree, but work with your sister agree, but work alone agree, but volunteer to be the medicine cat`s assisted avoiding the fight 5. You are finally able to become a warrior with your sister, but your brother is still an apprentice do you... Go anyway and forget your brother Persuade your sister to stay behind so you can have all the glory. Stay behind with your brother and proudly cheer on your sister Stay behind and persuade your sister to do the same 6. You are a young warrior and have a crush on a few cats, do you pick... the weakling with a big heart The strong one with no heart or soul The one who isn`t strong or weak, but has a good hear and soul. The old one with a bad memory 7. You and your mate have three kits do you teach them... Life is best as a kittypet Respect the elder`s and follow the warrior code train hard and be the best warrior possible so you may kill even a leader with 9 lives one day Do what you love and be yourself, even if you get less respect, just don`t join another clan 8. Your deputy dies and your leader appoints you the new deputy do you freak out and deny and hide in your den for the rest of your life Deny, and state why you refuse, and continue life as a warrior Deny, but suggest your brother, sister,mother,father,mentor, or someone you think is fit for it accept and proudly stand before your clan as the new deputy 9. You receive an apprentice who is a total pain in the tail, do you act just like your apprentice Ignore the apprentice and persuade him to join another clan Work hard with him and act like he does nothing wrong or abuse him punish him and work hard with him 10. Your sister becomes deputy do you... Cheer proudly for her cheer for her, but not real be proud Be jealous and skip her ceremony and plot her death. Call her fox dung and boo her 11. Your sister becomes clan leader do you Threaten her if she refuses to make you deputy Ignore her and gloat about yourself Cheer her on and politely ask her to make you deputy Be proud of her and suggest your brother be deputy About This Quiz Likes: +4 Times Taken:1,832 Comments:3 Created on:6/20/2016 6:25:57 PM Made by:peachrain Delete This Quiz | Edit This Quiz Share This Quiz About Us | Contact Us | Privacy | Close Your Account © 2019 Zertical, Inc.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
When someone is a best friend to me, or I am a best friend to someone else, it emphasizes for me the closeness of that connection. It also sometimes shows me how much I am not a best friend to other people, and makes me more patient and understanding with them. I believe there are specific aspects of friendship, though not all, that we can bring in some way or another to all our relationships, even with those people that we don't agree with, or don't want to work with. At any rate, it's morning. It's beautiful and I am grateful.
Summer is here.


text:
off to Iceland
Truth be told, I'm not actually a nature person. I'm particularly fond of hiking or staring into the distance. Or so I thought.
Iceland is simply magical. It's the way the air looks. I dunno, I mean just look at the damn pictures.
We flew to Iceland via Oslo and the early morning view out of the windows at the Norwegian Forest set the scene for the next few days. They were kind of odd, that's the thing. The fact that something seemed a little bit off and unexpected is what I think made all that nature-gazing we did so surreal and mystical. It looked a little link someone had tinkered with the tone curve setting of reality. The impression stuck with me the entire time.
Iceland itself is wide and empty. Which was probably a good thing as right there on that airport parking space I had to drive and automatic for the first time in my life and that was not very graceful. Good think no one was around. I got the hand of it eventually and we were on out way, but I still don't see the allure of not doing your own shifting. Especially since there's all these rubbish settings like "Park" and "Sport" or whatever. We spent most of the day driving and staring out of the window mesmerized. I felt very "wild and free"-ish driving around. The first day didn't have any clear objective except "get to hostel one", and so we did not have to stress a lot and got there getting lost only once, because we drove way past it. Turn out the ways are not nearly as long as we had been expecting. We found out hostel, which was probably the only house for miles and had the first Christmassy dinner of the year. Considering the hostel was part of a cute little cattle farm, I think that burger I ate lived a very happy life. I went to bed that night very happy and calm and got more sleep than I did in months.


text:
The best diamond cut depends on you
There are many different diamond cuts, but deciding which the best diamond cut is, really comes down to your own taste and why you are buying diamonds. Some may like the princess cut diamond, oval shape diamond or heart shape diamond the most. The find the best diamond cut for you, it is important that you have an idea of what you're looking for and why you're buying the diamond – is it for an anniversary, engagement ring or rather an investment? No matter what you decide, there is the best diamond cut for everyone.
What kind of diamond shapes do you like?
Fancy shape diamonds can be categorized in roundish, squarish and other types of shapes. To find the best diamond cut, it might be easier if you have an idea what kind of diamond shape you would like. If you prefer round shapes, consider looking into oval diamond, cushion cut or the traditional round diamond. If your best diamond cut is something squarish, have a look at princess cut diamonds, Asscher cut, Emerald cut or radiant cut. If you prefer something a little more different, perhaps a heart shape diamond, pear shape or marquise cut diamond is your best diamond cut.
Best diamond cut means knowing your top priorities
Diamonds have many different facets that make them unique and beautiful. However, some people attach more importance than others. If you want dramatic and wide flashes and don't care too much about the clarity, the best diamond cut would be the Emerald cut. If you want the color to be intense, mostly applicable when buying colored diamonds, then the radiant cut would the best choice. Looking for the most affordable option? Your best diamond cut is not round diamonds but rather any of the fancy shape diamonds. However, there are many more things that determine the price of diamonds. That's why it is important you know all there is about diamond size, carat weight, diamond clarity, and color. And you know where to source wholesale loose diamonds. Ask for a free quote to find your best diamond cut for the best diamond deal.


text:
There are eight bear species in the world and the sun bear is one of them. It is the smallest of the all the bears, the polar bear being the biggest. It lives throughout the tropical forests in Southeast Asia and is slowly disappearing as its habitat is destroyed and it is poached for body parts and as a pet.
The Malayan Sun bear, to give it its full title, is classified as 'Vulnerable' to extinction by the IUCN. Until fairly recently, there was so little information known about the sun bear that it couldn't even be classified.
It is an important species for the ecosystem as it spreads seeds over large areas, and bio-engineers the forest by breaking big holes into tree trunks looking for honey and destroying fallen trees looking for grubs. Due to its importance as a large mammal in the lowland tropical forest, and our lack of scientific knowledge, REACT has chosen to focus its efforts on its conservation.
For more detailed information on sun bears, visit Wikipedia 'Sun Bears'.
REACT Sun Bear Project
The public knows so little about sun bears that REACT is committed to raising awareness. We will support various campaigns and education programmes so that this wonderful bear species gains more attention. This includes working in Malaysia to improve the education of local school children. Local people are the guardians of their environment and it is especially important for these communities to know about the species on their doorstep.
As the sun bear is disappearing due mainly to habitat destruction, it is vital to help maintain wild populations in protected areas. We are focused on the Kinabatangan River in the Malaysian State of Sabah. REACT is therefore dedicated to planting forest corridors to help sun bears move around small fragmented forest patches. Due to a lack of scientific knowledge, it is difficult to put in place conservation measures so we will also support research in this area.
Connecting You to Sun Bears
Connecting to sun bears is not such an easy thing. As one of the lesser known bear species, there are no specialised tours or volunteer programmes but REACT will be working to rectify this. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions.
You can volunteer with at rescue centres. Rescued sun bears are often put in centre together with orangutans. So if you want to help sun bears, you should look out for rescue centres that are marketed as orangutan programmes.
To volunteer with sun bears speak to the team at The Great Orangutan Project and ask specifically about sun bears.
If you are a teacher or a student, why not consider a school education trip with sun bears? Have a taste of what it is like to be a conservationist and find out more about the complexities of saving an endangered species.
If you have any spare time why not help out at REACT? We need people to help with events, collections or maybe you have a special skill to contribute.
Make a donation to help REACT save sun bears in the wild. We use Virgin to take donation as this saves us on administration and ensure we can spend the maximum amount of your donation on sun bears.


text:
Taotie and Kirtimukha
Shang Dynasty
Kanji characters are first used in the Shang Dynasty (circa 1600-1050BCE) to record oracles and their interpretation. A notable feature of this civilisation was the manufacture of magnificent three legged, often bronze, sacrificial vessels. The front of these vessels frequently depict a feline creature with no lower jaw, devouring an apparently willing victim who embraces rather than flees the creature. The rear of the vessel may also depict a similarly terrifying face.
Tāotiè is often translated as meaning gluttony. Indeed if we break down the two kanji to their component parts we note that the lower part, common to both kanji means food or eating. The upper two parts on the left kanji denote a tiger. The upper parts of the rightmost kanji denote bones on the left and hair on the right which is generally what is left after an animal has been devoured - or all that remains after a corpse has decomposed. So a gluttony doesn't quite tell the tale. The components of the tāotiè face can be illustrated on the left.
If we travel across the Pacific to the Olmec Culture (circa 1200 ~ 400BCE) the Olmec sarcophagus below was recorded before being destroyed. In this instance the feline represented is the jaguar. Joseph Campbell in his work The Mythic Image (p117-128) points out that symbolically tigers are representative of the receptive, female, yin ( shaded, damp bank of a river) principle in nature and are associated with earth, and by extension, there is a suggestion in the tāotiè of the earth taking life back back to its bosom through the agent of a consuming animal / sarcophagus.
The particular vessel (for fermented drinks) that Joseph Campbell did his analysis on can be seen at the Cernushi Museum in Paris.
Food, Glorious Food!
Following Campbell's argument if we move back to India we perhaps find in the Taittirya Upanishad the world sensibility behind this motif:
Oh, wonderful! Oh, wonderful! Oh, wonderful!
I am food! I am food! I am food!
I am a food-eater! I am a food-eater! I am a food-eater!
I am fame-maker! I am fame-maker! I am fame-maker!
I am the first born of the world order,
Earlier than the gods, in the navel of immortality!
Who gives me away, has indeed aided me!
I, who am food, eat the eater of food!
I have overcome the whole world!
He who knows this, has a brilliantly shining light.
Such is the mystic doctrine!
Specifically in India there is the origin tale of the curiously named Kirtimukha (Face of Glory). A motif found over the entrance of Hindu temples from India through SE Asia as far as Java. The tale told is as follows:
Kirtimuka - The Myth
An ambitious king, Jalandhara by name, by virtue of assiduously practicing yoga acquired such supernatural powers that he was able to overthrow the gods themselves in their heaven. In his hubris at this success he decided that Shiva's consort, Parvati, should properly be his queen. To this end he summoned forth a great demon, Rahu, the Seizer - whose more normal night time job was to catch the moon and eclipse it - to act as his emissary on this considerable errand. When Rahu confronted Shiva with his request the latter, unperturbed, let blast a flash of light from his third eye, conjuring forth a leonine headed emaciated demon which was non other than ravenous hunger incarnate. Rahu realising his probable fate if he were to confront this horror, cast himself upon Shiva's mercy and implored forgiveness. Appeased, Shiva granted him protection from the terrible monster who however now demanded from the god another victim that his hunger might be temporarily satiated. With the wit of a supreme godhead, Shiva suggest the monster eat himself, which he did until only his upper face remained. Shiva delighted by this act granted the vestigial terrifying face the compliment of:
You shall be known henceforth as Kirttimukha, Face of Glory, and shall abide forever at my door. No one who fails to worship you will ever obtain my grace.
We learn from Campbell that the Face of Glory is the epitomization of the self consuming mystery that is life. He rounds out this fascinating discussion by noting that the Greek word, sarkophagus (σαρκοφαγος) comes from the combination of the words flesh and eat respectively.1
1 Joseph Campbell, The Mythic Image (Princeton University Press, 1981), pp. 118–21.


text:
An airport is an unlikely place for a serendipitous meeting, but here we are, I, with tufts of unruly white hair and she, with a few more wrinkles around her eyes. Has it already been eight years? Did it start with a glance, a greeting or a tentative smile?
Crossing each other, we halt mid stride for a brief moment of recognition before moving on to opposite ends of the lounge carrying with us the lasting legacy of our relationship – silence. Sitting down on a recliner that overlooks the runway, I can see the taxiing planes and a cluster of hazy trees beyond them.
flight of gulls –
the beach slips away
beneath my toes


text:
Kirsten Moss-Frye
Dean of Students
Forrester Student Center
Moore County Campus
Clubs and Organizations
Don't just go through college, let college go through you!
At Motlow we encourage you to not just attend college, but to "experience" college. One way for students to enrich their college experience is to participate in as many co-curricular activities as possible. These activities provide students with opportunities for fellowship with other students, interaction with faculty, leadership opportunities and community involvement. As you pursue your educational goals, we encourage you to become involved with college activities, clubs and student government.
At the beginning of each semester, Motlow College hosts a Club Day. This is an opportunity for new students to become acquainted with clubs & organizations. Students can also find out more about clubs & organizations and meetings by checking out campus bulletin boards.
The following organizations are chartered on the various Motlow campuses:
- Art Club (Moore County), Advisor: Eric Claunch email@example.com
- Arts & Animation Club (Moore), Advisor: Dr. Judith Russell email@example.com
- Biology Club (Smyrna), Advisor: Mary Matthews email@example.com
- Biotech/Forensics Club (Fayetteville), Advisor: Kristi Bridge email@example.com
- Chess Club (Moore County), Advisor: Dr. David Bowlby email@example.com
- Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Club (COR) in Smyrna, Advisor: Kevin Fitch firstname.lastname@example.com
- Criminal Justice Club (Smyrna), Advisor: Todd Malone
- Diversity Club (Smyrna), Advisor: Andrea Green email@example.com
- Glee Club (Moore County), Advisor: Emily Seal firstname.lastname@example.com
- History Club (Smyrna), Advisor: Ramona Shelton firstname.lastname@example.com
- Mathematics Club (Smyrna), Advisor: Brian Mitchell email@example.com
- Motlow Music Society (Moore County), Advisor: David Bathea email@example.com
- Motlow Student Ministry, Advisor: Lane Yoder email@example.com
- Motlow State Cheerleading Squad, Advisor: Bertha Smith firstname.lastname@example.com
- Paranormal Club (Fayetteville), Advisor: Michael Hartman email@example.com
- Rotaract Club (Smyrna), Advisor: Liala Syler firstname.lastname@example.com
- Sociology Heard (Moore County), Advisor: Pamela Harris email@example.com
- Table Top Gaming Club (Moore County), Advisor: Bradley Reeves email@example.com
- Baptist Collegiate Ministries (Moore County), Advisor : Tom Dillingham firstname.lastname@example.com
- Honors Program
- MSCC Skills USA Student Chapter (Smyrna), Advisor: Dr. Khalid Tantawi email@example.com
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Moore County Advisor: Pam Harris firstname.lastname@example.com
- Fayetteville Advisor: Michael Hartman email@example.com & Nancy Dodson firstname.lastname@example.com
- McMinnville Advisor: Gregg Garrison email@example.com
- Smyrna Advisor: Misty Griffith firstname.lastname@example.com
- , National Psychology Honor Society: Chapter Advisor: Dr. Stephen Guerin, Professor of Psychology firstname.lastname@example.com
- Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society (Smyrna), Advisor: Dr. Khalid Tantawi email@example.com
- Student Government Association
- Student Nurses Association / National Student Nurses' Association, Advisor: Cathy Simpson firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
It's been a year of fascinating sights in the Sussex skies, with meteor showers, a solar eclipse and a blood and halo moon.
It all started in February with the Halo Moon, a spectacular and unexpected sight on a Monday night.
A hazy ring of light formed around the full moon and was visible from around 9pm for two hours.
The phenomenon, known as a 'halo', can occur when high thin cirrus clouds form, at about 20,000 feet or more.
Light from the moon bounces off and is scattered through ice crystals in the clouds to create a ring of light around it.
There was a lot of excitement in March as people in Sussex prepared for a near-total eclipse of the sun.
However, thick cloud mean that there were few opportunities to grab a photo, although some did mange it.
The moon moved in front of the sun at around 9.30am, covering up to 97 per cent of its surface.
Earth's only satellite was back in the headlines, though, in July with a phenomena called a blue moon.
The sight is so rare, the phrase 'once in a blue moon' was coined because of it.
But rather than the moon actually changing colour, a blue moon refers to when two full moons appear in the same calendar month.
The first full moon was spotted on July 1 and the second appeared on the last day of the month.
Eyes were focused back on the Sussex skies in August when we were treated to the Perseids meteor shower.
The shooting stars, created as space debris from the tail of the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet struck the Earth's atmosphere were visible for several days.
But arguably the best was saved for last as many people woke up in the early hours to see a 'super blood moon' following a partial eclipse.
The internet was awash with claims that this rare astronomical event would signal the start of the apocalypse but experts at NASA were quick to dismiss any possible threat.
The moon was unusually close to the Earth and looked bigger and brighter than usual.
It was a Supermoon and started to go into partial eclipse around midnight.
Then, in the early hours, the Moon was fully visible again and had a distinct red glow from the Earth's shadow.
Such an event was last seen in 1982 and will not be viewed again until 2033.
Some celestial events for 2016:
February 7 - This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise
March 8 - Jupiter will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter's four largest moons, appearing as bright dots on either side of the planet.
May 6, 7 - The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times.
May 22 - Mars will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long.
August 27 - A spectacular conjunction of Venus and Jupiter will be visible in the evening sky. The two bright planets will be extremely close, appearing only 0.06 degrees apart. Look for this impressive pairing in the western sky just after sunset.
Don't miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you'll be amongst the first to know what's going on.
1) Make our website your homepage
2) Like our Facebook page
3) Follow us on Twitter
4) Register with us by clicking on 'sign in' (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don't miss out!
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.


text:
About Us
Corporate Social Responsibility
26 Jun 2014
Kia Motors introduces advanced In Vehicle Infotainment through Android Auto
Android Auto debuts in Kia Soul demonstration vehicle at Google Developers Conference
(SEOUL) June 26, 2014 – The Open Automotive Alliance (OAA) – a consortium of auto and technology industry leaders of which the Hyundai Motor Group is a founding member – introduced today Android AutoTM, allowing drivers to easily access many of the features found in their Android-powered smartphones through the instrument panel's touchscreen. The Kia In Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) integration solution is one of the first products to emerge from the OAA. Kia is targeting to offer its IVI system with Android Auto in select models starting in 2015 as part of the UVO Premium Navigation system. "The ability to 'project' the smartphone's applications and functionality has been a strong customer demand that we aspired to address," said Paul Choo, director, Silicon Valley Accelerator Lab. "The goal is to provide a smarter and safer way to use smartphone technology while offering the freedom our mobile devices give consumers today. Kia's IVI system will help us reach that goal." On display today at Google I/O, Google's annual developer conference in San Francisco, California, Kia's advanced IVI system was demonstrated via the eight-inch touchscreen found in the new Soul urban utility vehicle. As expected with any Kia vehicle, the technology is intuitive and easy to use. After connecting an Android phone through the Soul's standard USB connection, drivers are able to "project" their Android-powered smartphone onto the Soul's in-dash display, giving them access to apps and services which have been optimized for the vehicle with voice input and controls that are viewable at a glance. Users will instantly recognize their basic Android phone applications, such as messaging, phone, Google Play Music and Google Maps upon connecting their Android phone to their Kia vehicle. Third party audio apps including Stitcher Radio for Podcasts, iHeartRadio – Internet Radio and NPR will also be offered through the user's Android smartphone. The IVI announcement comes on the heels of the latest generation of UVO eServices enhancements. Available now in the 2015 Soul, UVO eServices now offers four new features: Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score. Many more technologies for comfort and convenience are featured in the new UVO system, including Local Search – powered by Google – for finding locations, addresses and points of interest. Sirius XM Travel Link , offering access to traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports scores, stock information and movie times, makes the Soul the perfect companion for those who live their lives on the road with family and friends. Editor's notes: * All UVO references in this press release are currently applicable to the U.S. market only.
« Back
motor vehicles
consumer goods
© 2009 Leal Group. All rights reserved.
Data protection
| Designed by


text:
The following article is something I fully believe and encourage my son to follow, what we eat is important factor in our well being. He now takes supplements to correct any deficiency in his food intake and is concentrating now on omitting his white sugar intake, more on this to follow in a future article.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are considered essential because they cannot be synthesized by the human body. Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include plants (particularly flax, canola, walnuts and hemp) and fish (particularly ocean fish such as sardines, anchovies, salmon and mackerel). Plants contain the parent omega- 3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can be converted into eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA).
Dietary fish and fish oil supplements are a direct source of EPA and DHA. The influence of ALA, EPA and DHA in human health has been the subject of intense research over the last three decades. Although best known for cardiovascular benefits, new findings indicate that the influence of omega-3 fatty acids in mental health, particularly EPA, may currently be underestimated.
Epidemiological, experimental and new clinical studies have all shown a strong connection between omega-3 fatty acids, or a lack thereof, and major depression.
These exciting new findings are not entirely surprising when one considers that the brain itself is 60 percent fat and that one-third of all fatty acids are of the polyunsaturated variety. As discussed below, the current research highlights the critical role of these fatty acids in the central nervous system (CNS).
Omega-3 Intake Declines, Depression Rates Climb
There has been a significant drop-off in omega-3 fatty acid intake within Western
countries over the last century. The opposite can be said of omega-6 intake. Although essential, omega-6-rich oils are found in abundance in the North American food supply.
Currently these omega-6 oils (corn, safflower, sunflower, cottonseed, sesame) are outnumbering omega-3 fatty acids by a ratio of up to 20:1.
This ratio is a long way off the close to 1:1 omega-6 to omega-3 ratio as recommended by the international panel of essential fatty acid experts in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. The average daily intake of EPA/DHA combined is 130mg in North America, 520mg short of published recommendations and 870mg short of the 1000mg recommended by the American Heart Association in cases of heart disease.
In direct contrast to the depletion of omega-3 fatty acids from the Western food supply, the rates of depression have dramatically increased in Western countries. In addition, depression is now occurring more commonly in younger persons. The average age of onset of depression has continued to dip over the last 100 years. Scientists investigating the change in rates of depression have made it clear that these findings cannot be explained away by changes in attitudes of health professionals or society, diagnostic criteria, reporting bias, institutional or other artifacts. Perhaps the inadequate omega-3 intake, the major deviations in fatty acids ratios and the quarter-century-old message that all fat is unhealthy has had an untold influence on rates of depression.
Fish Consumption and Depression
There have been a number of studies that have examined national and international fish consumption data and compared them to rates of depression. Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health is a pioneer in this area. He, and his group, have shown that higher national consumption of fish for a nation equals lower rates of depression versus countries consuming the least amount of fish. He has also shown that higher fish consumption is correlated with lower risk of postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder.
Other researchers have shown that even within a nation, fish consumption is associated with lower risk of depression and higher mental health status. Finally, researchers are now observing increasing rates of depression in regions of the world that are moving away from traditional omega-3-rich diets to typical Western foods.
Laboratory Tests in Depression
The epidemiological studies clearly suggest that adequate omega-3 fatty acids may be an important protective factor in depression. Correlation, however, does not prove causation.
To add to the strength of the epidemiological studies, scientists have examined the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood cells and fat storage cells of those with major depression.
Four studies have shown that those with depression do indeed have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. One of the studies showed that the lower the level of EPA, the more severe the clinical depression. In addition, a recent study showed that the patients with depression have 35 percent less DHA in fat storage cells versus healthy controls.
Experimental Studies
Over the last decade, neuroscientists have been examining the consequences of omega-3 deficiencies in the central nervous system. Alterations in serotonin and dopamine levels, as well as the functioning of these two important neurotransmitters is evident in an omega-3 deficiency. The changes observed in omega-3 deficiency in animals is strikingly similar to that found in autopsy studies of human depression.
In addition to changing serotonin and dopamine levels and functioning, omega-3 deficiencies are known to compromise the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects the brain from unwanted matter gaining access.Omega-3 deficiency can also decrease normal blood flow to the brain, an interesting finding given the studies which show that patients with depression have compromised blood flow to a number of brain regions. Finally, omega-3 deficiency also causes a 35 percent reduction in brain phosphatidylserine (PS) levels.This is also of relevance when considering that PS has documented antidepressant activity in humans.
Mechanisms of EPA/DHA Regulation of Mood
DHA is found in high levels in the cells of the central nervous system (neurons); here it acts as a form of scaffolding for structural support. When omega-3 intake is inadequate, the nerve cell becomes stiff as cholesterol and omega-6 fatty acids are substituted for omega-3. When a nerve cell becomes rigid, proper neurotransmission from cell to cell and within cells will be compromised.
While DHA provides structure and helps to ensure normal neurotransmission, EPA may be more important in the signaling within nerve cells. Normalizing communications within nerve cells has been suggested to be an important factor in alleviating depressive symptoms. In addition, EPA can lower the levels of two important immune chemicals, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), as well as prostaglandin E2.
All three of these chemicals are elevated in depression. In fact, higher levels of
TNFa and IL-1ß are associated with severity of depression. Finally, EPA has been hypothesized to increase brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), which is known to be lower in depressed patients. BDNF is neuroprotective, enhances neurotransmission, has antidepressant activity and supports normal brain structure. BDNF may prevent the death of nerve cells in depression.
Clinical Studies
There have been some published case reports indicating that flaxseed oil may be helpful in cases of bipolar depression and the anxiety disorder agoraphobia. The first controlled clinical trial indicating that omega-3 fatty acids may be of benefit in
depression was published in 1999. In this case, 9:6 g of EPA/DHA versus placebo led to longer periods of remission and improvement in depressive symptoms in those with bipolar depression.
Some researchers theorize that such high doses of EPA/DHA may not be necessary and that low levels of pure EPA may be of benefit. In a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers showed thatjust 2g of pure EPA could improve the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. The researchers found that the EPA (versus placebo), when added to an ineffective antidepressant for one month, significantly improved depressive symptoms.
A larger study published in Archives of General Psychiatry replicated these findings, however, this time various doses of EPA were examined. Those on ineffective antidepressants were given 1g, 2g or 4g of pure EPA or a placebo in addition to the medication. Interestingly, the 1g daily dose of EPA led to the most significant improvements over the three-month study; it appeared that less was more. There were significant improvements in depressive symptoms, sleep, anxiety, lassitude, libido and thoughts of suicide.
Researchers from Taiwan Medical University published a recent study in which they found that a 4.4g EPA and 2.2g DHA mix could alleviate depression versus placebo in those with treatment-resistant depression. This was a two-month study involving patients who were on antidepressants that were not working. As with the other omega-3 studies discussed, the fish oil was well tolerated and no adverse events were reported.
There is also evidence that omega-3 oils may be of benefit in treating depressive
symptoms outside of major depressive disorder. Canadian researchers showed that Antarctic krill oil (400mg EPA, 240mg DHA) could improve depressive symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. Harvard researchers have also shown that just 1g of pure EPA is beneficial in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. This personality disorder, which is particularly difficult to treat, is characterized by both depressive and aggressive symptoms. This was a two-month placebo-controlled study and the results showed that EPA has a mood-regulating effect, improving both depression and aggression versus placebo.
To date, with one exception, all studies conducted on omega-3 fatty acids and mood have had a positive outcome. The singular negative study examined pure DHA in patients with depression. The results in the case showed that DHA alone was no better than placebo in alleviating depressive symptoms.
Although an influence of EPA and DHA on brain physiology and structure is apparent, the precise mechanisms whereby omega-3 fatty acids may alleviate depression remain unknown. The results of the clinical trials reinforce the epidemiological and experimental studies, underscoring the importance of adequate omega-3 intake in those with depression.
The long-term studies of fish oil supplements in the area of cardiovascular health, some spanning three-plus years, have shown that they are safe and well tolerated. Patients with depression or depressive symptoms should discuss omega-3 fatty acids with their health care providers. While scientists continue to unravel the neuropsychological influences of omega-3 fatty acids, it should be recognized that they are not a substitute for appropriate mental health evaluation and care.
By Alan C. Logan, ND, FRSH
Alan C. Logan is a naturopathic physician licensed in Connecticut. Valedictorian of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, class of 2001


text: Last week was a rough week for me. As a blogger one thing we really depend on is our computers. Sunday night I was on my laptop working on a some things for my blog. I was already having issues with my computer. It was freezing and moving a little slow but nothing that I couldn't handle. I would just restart my computer and keep going. Well Sunday it was different. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried and how many times I :: Keep Reading ::


text:
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a lending and borrowing service between Italian libraries.
Books not owned by the LUISS Library or by other libraries in Rome may be requested from other Italian libraries.
What can use the service?
This service is provided for LUISS faculty, LUISS graduate and postgraduate students, international students, current members of the LUISS Library, and current members of the LUISS Alumni Network.
What can be requested?
Books not owned by the LUISS Library or by other libraries in Rome.
How many books are can be requested at a time?
To guarantee an efficient service, we ask users to make no more than 8 requests per month or 4 per day.
How much does the service cost?
If the books requested are available at one of our partner libraries, the service is free of charge. Otherwise, the cost usually is no more than 6 Euro. We will let you know prior to placing your request.
How can you make a request?
To make a request, please fill out the online form (Italian) or deliver the form in person to the Electronic Resources Room.
Please check the Library catalog before making any request.
How long does it take to receive the books?


text:
Caroline Ray, Sara Luvv – The Guest
Caroline and Sara were making out in the shower when James Deen came and wanted a piece of the action. They were okay with that and escorted him to bed where they sucked his stiff penis together then let him bang both of their tight twats. At the end he shot his load all over Sara's flat stomach.
Watch the video from this scene here!


text:
Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra VII Philopator1 queen of Egypt, daughter of Ptolemy XII2 probably by Cleopatra V3, born in year 12 of Ptolemy XII = 70/69, probably in December 70 or early January 694, succeeded Ptolemy XII spring 515, incorporated into the dynastic cult as the Father-loving Goddess Qea Filopatwr6, associated on accession as senior ruler with her brother Ptolemy XIII7, contested seniority with him in year 3 = 50/498, expelled from Egypt mid 489, restored to supreme rule with support from Julius Caesar c. Kal.-a.d. VIII Id. Nov. AUC 706 = c. 25-30 August 4810, associated as senior ruler with her brother Ptolemy XIV as the Father-loving and Sibling-loving Gods, Qeoi FilopatoreV kai Filadelfoi, end of Martius AUC 707 = early January 4711, associated as senior ruler with her son Ptolemy XV probably 1 Thoth year 9 = 4 September 4412, granted rule of territories in Phoenicia, Syria, and Cilicia by Antony in late 37 or early 36 = year 16 = year 1 of a new era13, changing her cult title to the younger father-loving and country-loving goddess: Qea Newtera Filopatwr FilopatriV14, proclaimed "queen of kings" at the Donations of Alexandria autumn 3415, committed suicide in Alexandria by poison, perhaps administered by cobra-bite16, probably on 17 Mesore year 22 = 12 August 3017. Egypt was formally annexed to the Roman Republic with effect from 6 Mesore year 1 of Augustus = Kal. Sex. AUC 724 = 1 August 3018.
Cleopatra VII's titles as king of Egypt were19:
Horus (1) wr(t) nb(t)-nfrw Ax(t)-zH20
(2) wrt twt-n-jt.s21
Nomen olwpdrt nTrt mr(t)-jt.s22
Cleopatra VII probably had one23 liaison and three24 marriages.
Cleopatra VII first conducted a liaison with C. Julius Caesar, consul and dictator of the Roman Republic25, as his umpteenth mistress26, began late October AUC 706 = mid August 4827, ended by his assassination28 Id. Mart. AUC 710 = 14 March 4429. Cleopatra VII probably had one child30 by this liaison31: Ptolemy XV Caesarion32
Cleopatra VII secondly probably married her brother Ptolemy XIII33, November AUC 706 = c. September 4834. The marriage was ended by his death on a.d. VI Kal. Apr. AUC 707 = 13 January 4735.
Cleopatra VII thirdly probably married her brother Ptolemy XIV36, end of Martius or Aprilis AUC 707 = c. January 4737. The marriage was ended by his death in mid 4438.
Cleopatra VII fourthly initiated a liaison at Tarsus39 in 4140 and later probably married41 as his fifth wife42 M. Antonius, triumvir of the Roman Republic43, probably in 3744. The marriage was terminated by his suicide in Alexandria45 on Kal. Sex. AUC 724 = 1 August 3046. She had three children by this liaison and marriage: Alexander Helios47, his twin Cleopatra Selene48, by whom she had further descendants49, and Ptolemy Philadelphus50.
[1] PP VI 14525. Gr: Kleopatra Filopatwr. The ordinal VII is by now almost as much a part of her identity as her name. It appears that whichever other Cleopatras are assigned the ordinals V and VI, there can be no less and no more. A. Bouché-Leclercq, Histoire des Lagides II 179 n. 1 tried to alter it, to "Cleopatra VI", with complete lack of success. More recently, W. Huss, Ägypten in hellenistischer Zeit 332-30 v. Chr. 11 has proposed to make her "Cleopatra VIII"; I predict this reassignment will be no more successful.
The title Philopator is well-attested from the start of her reign. There is some reason to believe that she was also sometimes known as Philadelphus -- see discussion under Ptolemy XIV.
Cleopatra VII is the most famous and most studied woman of antiquity. Nevertheless, the amount of misinformation that continues to be written about her, even in supposedly authoritative sources by supposedly expert scholars, is astonishing. Consider this egregious example from the Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Ý
[2] pseudo-Caesar, Alexandrian Wars 33. Ý
[3] Her mother is not named in any of the classical sources. Her date of birth, in early 69, is several months before Cleopatra V was removed from power at the end of that year. The last mention of her, OGIS 185 = iGPhilae 50, also refers to children (tekna), which indicates that there was more than one child of the royal couple alive at the time.
Aside from a comment by Strabo 17.1.11 that Berenice IV was Ptolemy XII's only legitimate daughter, there is no suggestion in any ancient source that Cleopatra VII was illegitimate. Given the threat she posed to the Augustan regime in Rome, and the narrowness with which it was averted, it seems generally and reasonably agreed that this silence is positive evidence that she was legitimate, since there is every opportunity for her to be labelled a bastard if she was not the daughter of Cleopatra V, even if she was in fact the child of an officially recognised second queen. For general comments on the question of whether Ptolemy XII had a second wife, see discussion under Ptolemy XII. Ý
[4] Year: By inference from her date of death, combined with Plutarch, Antony 86.4, who says that she died aged 39.
M. Beard, NYRB 58:1 (2011) 10 at 12, questions the reliability of this datum. She notes that Plutarch then remarks that she had shared her power with Antony for more than 14 years. Arguing that they almost certainly met for the first time in 41, i.e. at Tarsus, she concludes that Plutarch's number should have been at most 9 years, not 14.
Putting aside the fact that 41-30 = 11 years, not 9, and the likelihood that Cleopatra knew Antony during her time in Rome, it seems to me that the number represents the time between Caesar's death and Cleopatra's, which was the duration of Antony's period of supreme power. Whether Plutarch was reflecting a theme of Augustan propaganda that Cleopatra was in cahoots with Antony from the beginning, whether he was referring to their shared time in power rather than actual partnership, or whether he simply mischaracterised the significance of the number, I do not see any reason to use it to cast doubt on the number Plutarch gives for her age at death. In any case, even granting Beard's point, it seems unlikely that Cleopatra could have been much older or much younger, given the trajectory of her career.
Month: Plutarch, Antony 73.3 describes the contrasting feasts that Cleopatra held for her final birthday, followed by that of Antony. H. Heinen, Röm und Ägypten von 51 bis 47 v. Chr. 190 reasonably argues that this contrast only makes sense if hers was held a few weeks before his. Antony's birthday is given as a.d. XIX Kal. Feb. (14 January) in the Fasti Verulani (C. Scaccia-Scaforini, Notizie d. Scavi 20 (1923) 194ff & G. Mancini idem 203f, J. Carpocino, CRAIBL 1923 67ff). Therefore her birthday was in early January or December, or at worst between September and early January. Ý
[5] Porphyry, in Eusebius, Chronicorum I (ed. Schoene) 167, Prol. Trogus 40, Strabo 17.1.11. For the date see discussion under Ptolemy XII. Ý
[6] The title is first attested on iBucheum 13 dated 19 Phamenoth year 1 = 22 March 51, though it should be noted that this stele was erected under Augustus. Ý
[7] Porphyry, in Eusebius, Chronicorum I (ed. Schoene) 167, Prol. Trogus 40, Strabo 17.1.11. That being said, there is as yet no clear contemporary evidence of association before year 3. iBucheum 13, dated 19 Phamenoth year 1 = 22 March 51, makes only a brief formulaic reference to "the king" while clearly naming Cleopatra. iGFayum 205 is also dated to 1 Epeiph year 1 of Cleopatra Philopator = 2 July 51. PSI 10.1098, dated 29 Mesore year 1 = 29 August 51, also only names queen Cleopatra Philopator as ruler. There appears to be no material of year 2 with any naming references, outside the doubtful argument of L. M. Ricketts, BASP 16 (1979) 213 that the formula year 2 = year 1 refers to the second year of Cleopatra.
M. Chauveau, Cléopâtre: au-delà du mythe 27, suggests that iGFayum 205 and PSI 10.1098 should both be assigned to Berenice III, who also took the title Cleopatra Philopator. In my opinion this is unlikely to be correct, for two reasons:
i) PSI 10.1098 is dated so late in the year than it is virtually impossible to allow for both the reigns of Ptolemy XI and Ptolemy XII to begin in the same year. Therefore this assignment requires Berenice III to have had a second year, making her first year correspond with year 36 of Ptolemy IX. But the absence of a year 36 date in PSI 10.1098 would strongly imply that he was already dead. In fact the evidence suggests that he lived into his 37th year with Berenice III as coregent. Similar reasoning applies to iGFayum 205, though there is perhaps a little more room for Ptolemy XI and Ptolemy XII with year 1 of Berenice III = 81/0.
ii) iGFayum 198, dated 28 Epeiph year 36 = year 1, seems best assigned to 82/1. If Chauveau's model were correct then iGFayum 205 would be dated three weeks before iGFayum 198. But it comes from the same general area. It seems unlikely that an inconsistent regnal dating scheme would be used in these circumstances.
It would seem, then, that Cleopatra VII was the only effective ruler in year 1 = 52/1. Either she was sole ruler or Ptolemy XIII was nominally coregent but ignored as a minor. The latter seems the more likely possibility. Ý
[8] See discussion under Arsinoe IV. Ý
[9] Caesar, Civil Wars 3.103 states that she had been expelled from Egypt "a few months before" the murder of Pompey in July 48. She may have left Alexandria for Upper Egypt some time previously -- see discussion under Arsinoe IV. Ý
[10] See discussion under Ptolemy XIII. Ý
[11] For the title Philadelphus see discussion under Ptolemy XIV. For the date see discussion under Ptolemy XIV. Ý
[12] See discussion under Ptolemy XV. Ý
[13] Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 15.4.1. The justification for the new era is given in Porphyry, in Eusebius, Chronicorum I (ed. Schoene) 169. Numismatic authors (e.g. J. N. Svoronos, Die Münzen der Ptolemäer Nos. 1886-1889) have suggested that the era is a coregency with Antony or Ptolemy XV. A. E. Samuel has also suggested that the era is a coregency with Ptolemy XV. However, T. V. Buttrey, ANSMN 6 (1954) 95 notes that Antony's coins for the same period, including those that use the double era, show him as a Roman general and magistrate, not as a coruler, that no coins of the double era show Ptolemy XV, and that coins with the double era only come from territories included in the donation. The era is first attested in papyri in BGU 14.2376 in Phamenoth year 17 = year 2 = 28 February - 29 March 35. On inscriptions and coins outside Egypt, the new era is sometimes cited in single-dated form, see e.g. P. Thonemann, ZPE 165 (2008), 87. Ý
[14] First attested in BGU 14.2376 in Phamenoth year 17 = year 2 = 28 February - 29 March 35. T. V. Buttrey, ANSMN 6 (1954) 95 argued that the title Kleopatra Qea Newtera was intended to recall Cleopatra Thea, the Ptolemaic queen of Syria (as in: "the younger Cleopatra Thea"). J. Bingen, CdE 74 (1999) 118, further argued that the title Qea FilopatriV (the Country-loving Goddess) was also designed to act as propaganda in Syria, recalling the shared Macedonian roots of the Egyptian and Syrian Greeks, particularly the ruling classes. Ý
[15] Dio Cassius 49.41. Plutarch, Antony 54.4 has her only proclaimed as queen of Egypt, Cyprus, Libya and Coele-Syria, but these were mostly territories she had already obtained at Antioch. The date of the Donations is obtained by dead reckoning. The meeting at Antioch occurred immediately after the renewal of the triumvirate at the end of 37. He then campaigned against the Parthians in Media Atropatene in summer 36 (Plutarch, Antony 37). The next year, 35, was lost in negotiations with Octavian (Plutarch, Antony 53) and actions against Sextus Pompeius (Appian, Civil Wars 5.144). The following year, 34, he conquered Armenia (Plutarch, Antony 52, Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 15.4.3), and the Donations followed on his return Ý
[16] Plutarch, Antony 86. See discussion in J. E. G. Whitehorne, Cleopatras 186ff. The snakebite story is generally believed and we want it to be true, because it is highly dramatic and very appropriate. The "asp" was almost certainly an Egyptian cobra, which was sometimes used to execute criminals. Yet Plutarch notes that there was also a story that she took poison. He points out that no trace of a snake was found, except perhaps for a trail in the sand by the sea next to the mausoleum (or, according to Dio Cassius 51.11.5, and perhaps more plausibly, the palace) where she died, though some said that two small puncture wounds were found. Her handmaidens Iras and Charmion died with her, apparently also of poison, yet a cobra could only be relied to kill one person. So, either more than one snake was smuggled in or they took poison while she died of snakebite. Ý
[17] Canon of Ptolemy gives Cleopatra 22 full years, hence year 22 = 31/0 was formally accounted as part of her reign and not part of Augustus' by later chronographers. The exact date comes from Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 21.129, which states that Cleopatra was succeeded by her children (in the online translation, but without obvious sense, "the Cappadocians") for 18 days. T. C. Skeat, JRS 43 (1953) 98 argues that this "reign" was invented by a pedantic scholar to cover the gap between the death of Cleopatra and the official start of the reign of Augustus later assigned to the following 1 Thoth. Therefore it gives the residuum of the year after her death. Accordingly she died on 17 Mesore. Ý
[18] T. C. Skeat, JRS 43 (1953) 98 noted that Canon of Ptolemy gives Cleopatra 22 full years, hence he argued that year 22 = 31/0 was formally accounted as part of her reign and not part of Augustus', and Augustus therefore acceded on or after 1 Thoth. pOxy 12.1453 is a contract by four temple lamplighters to provide oil that was read by Grenfell and Hunt as being "from 1 Thoth to Mesore [Epagomone] 5 of the present first year of Caesar" as they had in the preceding year 22 = 7 (i.e. of Cleopatra). Skeat proposed that this confirmed that Augustus began his reign in Egypt on 1 Thoth.
In T. C. Skeat, ZPE 53 (1983) 241, he modified this view. He noted that Dio Cassius 51.19.6 states that the Senate had decreed that the date of the fall of Alexandria should be regarded as the start of the reckoning of time, i.e. of Augustus' regnal year. On reexamining pOxy 12.1453, and assuming the correctness of the standard reconstruction of the Roman civil calendar for these years, he decided that the end date of the contract, read as Mesore [Epagomene?] (5?) by Grenfell and Hunt, should actually read Mesore (7?), and that the Epagomene interpolated by Grenfell and Hunt was incorrect. Therefore the contract runs from 1 Thoth to the end of year 1 of Augustus, which therefore began on 8 Mesore. Now, SB 16.12469 is a lease of a cow in year 5 = 26/5 which runs from Hathyr to 30 Mesore without a change in year number. From this it is clear that the attempt to implement the Senate decree failed no later than year 5, thereby explaining the later chronographical tradition.
In further support of this analysis, T. C. Skeat CdE 69 (1994) 308 cited two other items. First, the dedicatory inscription at the temple of Dendera states that the goddess "took possession" on the 19th day of Caesar's reign. This highly unusual form of dating suggests that the normal form of dating would be ambiguous. On Skeat's theory, the 19th day of his reign was 26 Mesore = 21 August 30. He argues that to give this as 26 Mesore year 1 made it ambiguous -- especially after 26 -- as to whether the dates was in 30 or 29. Finally, he points to pRyl. 4.601, dated 7 Mesore year 4 = 1 August 26, noting that the day number appears to have been a later insertion. He suggests that this indicates that there was doubt as to when the year was actually due to end. Thus year 5 began either on 8 Mesore = 2 August 26 or 1 Thoth = 30 August 26, but ended on the normal date.
On the reconstruction of the Roman civil calendar proposed here, Kal. Sex. 724 AUC = 1 August 30 = 6 Mesore year 1. Year 1 runs from 1 August 30 to prid. Kal. Sex. 725 AUC = 31 July 29 = 6 Mesore year 1. Since the regnal year was surely introduced several months after the conquest, to allow time for the Senate decree to have become known and for regulations to have been drawn up, the 366-day length of year 1 was not an administrative problem. [6?] Mesore was noted as a possible solution to pOxy 12.1453 by Grenfell and Hunt, and was regarded as paleographically equiprobable to [5?] Mesore by G. Geraci, Genesi della provincia romana d'Egitto 160. The next Roman civil leap year is 728 AUC = 26 = year 4, in which prid. Kal. Sex. = 1 August = 7 Mesore, which is the date given in pRyl. 4.601. Ý
[19] Transliterations follow J. von Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (2nd edition) 244 (13). All names are given in scenes at the temple of Hermonthis south of Thebes, showing the birth of Ptolemy XV. The Horus names are followed by cartouches naming the queen as "Cleopatra Philopator". Ý
[20] "The great Lady of perfection, excellent in counsel". C. R. Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien IV 65a = H. Gauthier, Livre des rois d'Égypte IV 417 (XVIIID). This name is introduced by the crowned Horus glyph. For the reasoning associating this name with Cleopatra VII see discussion above. Ý
[21] "The great one, sacred image of her father" C. R. Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien Text IV 4(a) = H. Gauthier, Livre des rois d'Égypte IV 417 (XVIIIH). This name is introduced by the uncrowned Horus glyph. For the reasoning associating this name with Cleopatra VII see discussion above. Ý
[22] "The goddess Cleopatra who is beloved of her father" C. R. Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien Text IV 3 = H. Gauthier, Livre des rois d'Égypte IV 416 (XVIIIB). For the reasoning associating this name with Cleopatra VII see discussion above. Ý
[23] Plutarch, Antony 25.3, alleges she had an affair with Cn. Pompeius, son of Pompey, when he was in Alexandria in 49. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 15.4.2, alleges she tried to seduce Herod. No-one believes either of these stories, essentially on the grounds that they make no political sense. Ý
[24] Or possibly no marriages and two liaisons. On the question of whether she was married to Antony, see discussion below. L. Criscuolo in L. Criscuolo & G. Geraci (eds), Egitto e storia antica dall'ellenismo all'età araba 325, argues that she did not marry either of her brothers Ptolemy XIII or Ptolemy XIV. She notes that no Egyptian text, even those naming Cleopatra with either brother, calls her his sister or his wife, and of our classical sources, only Dio Cassius 42.35 (as "living together according to the Egyptian custom") and the poetic licence of Lucan, Civil Wars 10.92-99 and 10.356-367 speaks of the marriage to Ptolemy XIII, and only Dio Cassius 42.44 of the marriage to Ptolemy XIV. All our other classical sources only speak of joint rule, including Josephus, whose hostility to Cleopatra is such that he would have included charges of incest if he could (and today would probably have added child molestation). Criscuolo suggests that Ptolemy XII in his will intended that Cleopatra should be the senior ruler in partnership with her brother.
Her points on the lack of evidence are interesting, especially on the lack of contemporary Egyptian evidence. Nevertheless I find the proposed motivation somewhat unconvincing: how did Ptolemy XII propose that the dynastic line continue unless the ruling couple were married? It is certainly likely, given the ages of Cleopatra's brothers, that the marriage was only nominal, or not formalised, until they were of age, and Criscuolo may be right that perhaps this step was never actually taken. Certainly, even if Dio Cassius is correct then Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII may not have been married before Caesar's settlement. But given past dynastic practice I think I am inclined still to favour the notion of a formal union. Ý
[25] Plutarch, Caesar 49.10, Suetonius, Caesar 52. Ý
[26] Caesar had three wives: Cornelia (Suetonius, Caesar 1), Pompeia (Suetonius, Caesar 6.2) and Calpurnia (Suetonius, Caesar 21). Suetonius, Caesar 50, 52 lists as being amongst his mistresses: Postumia, wife of Servius Sulpicius; Lollia, wife of Aulus Gabinius; Tertulla, wife of Marcus Crassus; Mucia, wife of Pompey; Servilia, the mother of Marcus Brutus, and her daughter Tertia; and Eunoe, wife of king Bogud of Mauretania. R. Syme, Historia 29 (1980) 422, suggests that Sempronia, as mother of Decimus Brutus (unless he was the son of Postumia), and the unknown mother of P. Cornelius Dolabella can be added to the list. Ý
[27] On her being delivered to Caesar wrapped in a rug: Plutarch, Caesar 49.2. J. E. G. Whitehorne, Atti el XXII Congresso Internazionale di Papirologia, Firenze 1998 II 1287, argues that the famous rug was actually more like a military kitbag, and that the detail that she was stretched out allows us to conclude that Cleopatra was quite short. For the date see discussion under Ptolemy XIII. Ý
[28] Caesar summoned her to Rome (Suetonius, Caesar 52) where she stayed till after his assassination: she had left by a.d. XVII Kal. Mai. AUC 710 = 14 April 44 (Cicero, Ad Atticum 14.8.1). Ý
The equation of Id. Mart. 710 A.U.C. ("The Ides of March") to 15 March 44 B.C. is undoubtedly the most famous calendrical conversion in all of chronology. It is almost certainly wrong. See discussion here. Ý
[30] For the possibility that Cleopatra had a second pregnancy, see discussion under Ptolemy XV. Ý
[31] For the argument that Ptolemy XV was not born of this liaison, see discussion under Ptolemy XV. Ý
[32] Plutarch, Caesar 49.10, Antony 71.2. Ý
[33] Dio Cassius 42.35. But see discussion above. Ý
[34] See discussion under Ptolemy XIII. Ý
[35] See discussion under Ptolemy XIII. Ý
[36] Dio Cassius 42.44. But see discussion above. Ý
[37] See discussion under Ptolemy XIV. Ý
[38] See discussion under Ptolemy XIV. Ý
[40] Plutarch, Antony 25, dates these events to the year following the battle of Philippi, fought in October 42. Ý
[41] The existence of the marriage has been doubted (e.g. M. Grant, Cleopatra 185f.). Suetonius, Augustus 69.2, quotes a letter from Antony to Octavian which, unfortunately, is completely ambiguous to us on the point, though it was certainly clear to Octavian. Grant translates the key phrase, "uxor mea est", as: "is she my wife?" (rhetorically, implying she isn't), but most others translate it more simply and with equal sense as "she is my wife". Certainly any marriage was not conventional. Plutarch, Comparison of Demetrius and Antony notes that he was married to Cleopatra and Octavia at the same time, a position that was invalid under both Greek and Roman law, but nevertheless implies that he did consider himself married to Cleopatra before he divorced Octavia in 32 (Plutarch, Antony 57.2). Strabo 17.1.11 also calls Cleopatra Antony's wife. Ý
[42] Antony's previous wives were:
(i) Fadia, daughter of a freedman, by whom he had several children of whom nothing is known. The marriage was regarded, at least by Cicero, as unequal; it is ignored by Plutarch.
(ii) Antonia, his cousin, by whom he had a daughter Antonia. She married a rich Greek, Pythodoros of Tralles, and their daughter Pythodoris married in turn Polemo king of Pontus and Archelaus king of Cappadocia. By Polemo Phythodoris was the mother of Zeno-Artaxias, king of Armenia in 35 AD and Antonia Tryphaena, who married Cotys VIII king of Thrace. Amongst their children, their daughter Gepaepyris married Aspurgus king of the Cimmerian Bosporus. This was the longest-lived of the Roman client kingdoms known to us. Their descendants are traceable on the Bosporan throne at least until Sauromates III, king of the Bosporus c. 230 AD, and the line probably occupied the Bosporan throne until the extinction of the kingdom at the hands of Ermanarich the Ostrogoth in the late 4th century AD.
(iii) Fulvia, by whom he had two sons. The elder, M. Antonius known as Antyllus, was executed by Octavian following the annexation of Egypt. The younger, Iullus Antonius, was executed for alleged adultery with Octavian's daughter Julia; he had two sons by Marcella, daughter of Octavia, who both died without children. Fulvia deserves to be better known. She was the first Roman woman known to have led an army and to have had her portrait on coins.
(iv) Octavia, sister of Octavian, the later emperor Augustus, and great niece of Julius Caesar, by whom he had two daughters, Antonia Major and Antonia Minor. Antonia Major married L. Domitius Ahenobarbus; their son, Gn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, was the father of the emperor Nero. Antonia Minor married Nero Drusus. Their younger son was the emperor Claudius, while their elder son Germanicus was the father of the emperor Caligula and of Agrippina the younger, mother of the emperor Nero.
Antony is also said to have had the courtesan Cytheris and Glaphyra, mother of Archelaus king of Cappadocia, as mistresses. Ý
[43] PP VI 14484. He is usually known in English simply as "Antony" or "Mark Antony". The second triumvirate between Antony, Octavian and Lepidus was created in late 43 and renewed at the end of 37 for a second five year term. Antony was never known as king of Egypt. Ý
[44] The timing of the union is not given in any ancient source, which is not surprising given its unorthodox nature. It must have occurred after his marriage to Octavia in 40. Most likely, it should be dated to their meeting at Antioch in winter 37/6, when Antony acknowledged Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene as his children, and made donations to Cleopatra, and she took on new titles and inaugurated a new era. The other possible occasion is the Donations of Alexandria in 34. Ý
[46] Plutarch, Antony 76 says that he died on the day that Alexandria fell to Octavian. This was on Kal. Sex. (Orosius, 6.19.16; Fasti Antiates = CIL I2 24)) and is the reason that the month Sextilis was later renamed Augustus by Augustus.
Dio Cassius 51.19.6 states that the Senate had decreed that the date of the fall of Alexandria should be regarded as the start of the reckoning of time, i.e. of Augustus' regnal year. However, the Julian reform had initially been implemented incorrectly, with a leap day being inserted every third year instead of every fourth. However, on the reconstruction proposed here for the Roman civil calendar, Kal. Sex. AUC 724 = 1 August 30. Ý
[49] See discussion under Cleopatra Selene. Ý
[50] Dio Cassius 49.32.4. Ý
Update Notes:
11 Feb 2002: Added individual trees
1 March 2002: Split into separate entry
14 April 2002: Added discussion of Skeat's reexamination of pOxy 12.1453.
3 May 2002: Added reference to Macrobius for the error in implementation of the Julian calendar
8, 11, 21 May 2002: Expanded discussion of multiple solutions for Macrobius.
12 May 2002: Corrected Roman and Egyptian date equations as necessary
17 May 2002: Covered Skeat's supporting arguments for 8 Mesore as the start of Augustus' reign.
30 June 2002: Reworked Roman civil calendar discussion again to give my final solution. Corrected Roman and Egyptian date equations as necessary
27 Jan 2003: Fine tuning of the calendrical discussion to accommodate for changed views on the pCarlsberg 9 lunar calendar.
6 April 2003: Set up links to threaded discussion of earlier Roman dates.
18 May 2003: Changed Plutarch Xrefs to the Lacus Curtius edition; pointed to the right bookmarks in Macrobius
18 June 2003: Updated Xrefs to translations of Caesar; added Xref to online Latin text of Varro
23 Oct 2003: Added Xrefs to online Appian
24 Feb 2004: Added Xrefs to online Strabo; relinked Suetonius Xrefs to LacusCurtius edition
24 March 2004: Added Xref to Jones paper in ZPE 129 on Augustan calendars
13 Sep 2004: Add Xref to online Eusebius
19 Oct 2004: Removed redundant discussion of Roman chronology.
31 Dec 2004: Added linkage to annotated article from Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt
19 Jan 2005: Updated Xrefs on Alexandian Wars to Forumromanum edition
11 Mar 2005: Added Greek transcription, link to DDBDP transcript of pOxy 12.1453
16 Sep 2006: Add links to Packard Humanities DB, Canon at Attalus
28 May 2007: Added Xref to BASP paper
8 Feb 2009: Note that the second era was sometimes used standalone.
8 Dec 2010: Fixed broken Perseus & DDbDP links
31 Dec 2010: Comment on Mary Beard's argument against accepting 69 as a birth year.
Website © Chris Bennett, 2001-2011 -- All rights reserved