bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Induced by HBV Infection and Combined with Mild Alcohol Intake
Authors: Xiaerfuhazi Ha-lida , Ma Hai-lin , Shi Xiu-jiang , Fan Xiao-tang , Abuduheilili Xi-ernayi , He Fang-ping
Published: June 2017

Objective To investigate the differences of clinical and biochemical characteristics between patients with liver cirrhosis induced by HBV infection combined with and without mild alcohol intake.

Methods Data of patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in the First Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: patients with liver cirrhosis induced by HBV infection and combined with mild alcohol intake, patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, and patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. Biochemical detections including liver function, fasting lipid profiles, lipoprotein, kidney function, glucose, uric acid and regular blood tests were carried out and results were compared among three groups. Data were analyzed through STATA software and co-variant analysis.

Results Total of 2 350 patients with liver cirrhosis were included, 732 patients had cirrhosis induced by HBV infection combined with mild alcohol intake, 1 316 patients had HBV-related liver cirrhosis, 302 patients had alcohol-related cirrhosis. The highest mean level of white cell count, mean corpuscular volume, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and uric acid were observed in HBV infection combined with mild alcohol intake group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that HBV infection, excessive alcohol intake, male and age were risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Conclusions HBV infection combined with mild alcoholic-related liver cirrhosis group showed the highest oxidative stress compared with alcoholic liver cirrhosis group, which suggested that mild alcohol intake may increase the incidence of liver cirrhosis in HBV infected patients and may not increase the incidence of HCC.
Pathogenesis of Secretory Otitis Media
Authors: Wen Chao , Wang Xiaoyu , Chen Taisheng , Ruan Hongying , Lin Peng
Published: June 2017

Secretory otitis media (SOM) is a common and frequently occurring disease featured by middle ear cavity exudant, ear nausea, and hearing loss. Morbidity of children is higher than that of adults. The pathogenesis and etiology of SOM are clear so far. Previous reports concluded that the mechanical obstruction and dysfunction of the eustachian tube are among the important causes of infection. The mechanism of infection and immune response in the pathogenesis of SOM is currently becoming a research hot spot, providing a reference for further study.
Relationship between human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer progression
Authors: Ai Meichang
Published: June 2017

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors that threaten women’s life and health in both developed and developing countries. Diet and smoking are independent etiological factors of cervical cancer. Among many independent etiological factors, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most important one. HPV infection is universal among women of appropriate ages, and only persistent HPV infection is considered necessary to cause cervical cancer.
Effect of pre-treatment on the generation of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV- and prolyl endopeptidase-inhibitory hydrolysates from bovine lung
Authors: Lafarga T. , Hayes M.
Published: June 2017

The aim of this work was to study the effect of two different pre-treatments, high temperature (100 °C, 5 min) and high pressure (600 MPa, 3 min), on the potential of the enzymes papain, collagenase and Alcalase® to generate bioactive hydrolysates containing dipeptidyl peptidase-IV- (DPP-IV; EC 3.4.14.5) and prolyl endopeptidase- (PEP; EC 3.4.21.26) inhibitory peptides from bovine lung. Both pre-treatments resulted in an increase in the degree of hydrolysis over a 24 h period (P< 0.001) and significantly increased the DPP-IV- and PEP-inhibitory activities of the generated hydrolysates (P< 0.001). Generated hydrolysates included an Alcalase hydrolysate of pressure-treated bovine lung, which was the most active, and showed DPP-IV and PEP half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 1.43 ± 0.06 and 3.62 ± 0.07 mg/ mL, respectively. The major peptides contained in this hydrolysate were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and results demonstrated that bovine lung is a good substrate for the release of bioactive peptides when proper pre-treatment and enzymatic treatment are applied.
Illicit substance use among Tunisian college students: prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Chekib Zedini , Zammit Nawel , Manel Limam , Menel Mellouli , Elghardallou Meriam , Jihen Sahli , Ali Mtiraoui , Thouraya Ajmi
Published: June 2017

Background

Illicit substance use among college students represents one of the most complicated social problems. Studying its predictors could help deal with this problem more efficiently.

Aims

To determine the prevalence of life time illicit substance use and its predictors among Tunisian college students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in five colleges in the region of Sousse, Tunisia in the 2012–2013 school year. A sample of 556 college students responded to an anonymous self-administrated questionnaire. Collected data concerned socio-demographic characteristics and substances use.

Results

The mean age of students was 21.8 ± 2.2 years. Females represented 51.8% of participants. Among respondents: 31 (5.6%) had used illicit substance at least once. Cannabis was the main substance used by 26 (4.7%) students. The average age of the illicit substance use initiation was 19 (±2.5) years while it was almost 17 (±3) years for both tobacco and alcohol use initiations.

Proportions of male students and academic failure were significantly more important among illicit substance users than among non users. While the most influential factors on illicit substance use were: alcohol use, tobacco use and low socioeconomic level.

Conclusion

This study highlights the strong association between the other risk behaviors and illicit drug use. Future interventions should focus on the whole risk behaviors simultaneously at late adolescence with regard to the environmental context.
The effects of a low-dose physical activity intervention on physical activity and body mass index in severely obese adolescents
Authors: Currie Jessica , Collier David , Raedeke Thomas D. , Lutes Lesley D. , Kemble C. David , DuBose Katrina D.
Published: June 2017

Background

While severe obesity in childhood poses the greatest long-term health risks, access to treatment is a common barrier. The present pilot study examined the effect of a 7-week low-dose physical activity (PA) intervention on PA and body mass index (BMI) in severe obese adolescents delivered via telephone and mail.

Methods

Adolescents (n = 64) receiving care from a pediatric obesity medical clinic were randomized to a control (n = 30) or intervention (n = 34) group. Height and weight were measured and BMI z-scores were calculated. PA was assessed by a pedometer. All measurements were completed pre- and post-intervention. The intervention group received weekly newsletters and telephone calls discussing various PA topics based on motivational interviewing for 7 weeks. The control group received no contact. A series of 2 × 2 (group by time) repeated measures analysis of covariances (ANCOVAs) adjusting for length of time between visits were performed to examine the effect of the intervention on PA and BMI z-scores.

Results

The majority of adolescents were severely obese (77%, BMI: > 99th percentile). Intention-to-treat analysis revealed intervention effects were not observed for either pedometer steps or BMI z-score (p > 0.05). Among those with complete data, adolescents who successfully changed their BMI z-score had larger BMI z-score changes than those who did not change their BMI z-score (p = 0.0001). This improvement was due to something other than PA as the change in BMI z-score was similar among those who did and did not successfully increase PA levels (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

More intensive, comprehensive, and longer-term treatment is needed in this high risk population.
Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, H+ Ion-exchanged and Raw Clinoptilolite Zeolite Catalytic Performance in the Propane-SCR-NOx Process: A Comparative Study
Authors: Ghasemian Naser , Falamaki Cavus
Published: June 2017

An investigation on the catalytic performance of various transition-metal ions-exchanged clinoptilolite zeolites in the propane selective catalytic reduction process of NOx (NO+NO2) is reported for the first time. The metallic ions include Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and Mn2+. The catalytic performance of these materials was compared with the proton form and natural clinoptilolite zeolites. Compared with the raw and H-form clinoptilolite, the ion-exchanged zeolites shift the temperature corresponding to the maximum conversion around 50 °C towards lower temperatures, irrespective of the type of used transition-metal used. The maximum conversion is substantially enhanced especially in the case of Cu2+ and Mn2+-exchanged zeolite. The enhanced activity is attributed to the creation of strong acidic sites, redox centers, enhanced specific surface area and residual extra framework Fe species. Ion-exchange with transition metals results in a distinct effect on the reduction of the CO concentration in the product gas stream. Cu2+ exchanged clinoptilolite resulted in the smallest outlet concentration of CO, i. e. about 81 % reduction with respect to the protonated zeolite form.
Implementation of Photovoltaic Panel MPPT Through Robust Feedback Linearization Controller
Authors: Fesharaki Vahid Jafari , Sheikholeslam Farid , Motlagh Mohammad Reza Jahed
Published: June 2017

Because of nonlinear I-V curves of photovoltaic panels, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique is necessary to absorb maximum power. In this article state-space averaging method is utilized to express behavior of boost chopper converter. To generate the best operating point (PV panel desired voltage), incremental conductance is used. A Robust feedback linearization controller is proposed to deliver the PV panel to maximum power point. The controller is robust to environment variations, load uncertainties and load voltage disturbances. Stability of proposed controller is proved based on Lyapunov theorem. A boost chopper is used between PV panel and load to realize proposed MPPT technique. Boost chopper parameters are designed properly to operate converter in continues conduction mode (CCM). To evaluate MPPT technique some simulations in irradiance variation, temperature variation, load variation and load voltage disturbance are presented and discussed.
Language management and language managers: who are the Irish language managers in Breacbhaile?
Authors: Ní Dhúda Laoise
Published: June 2017

This article describes and analyses language management and language managers at local and micro-interactional levels in
Effect of long-term fertilizer application in maize crop growing on chemical element leaching in Fluvisol
Authors: Simeonova Tsetska , Stoicheva Dimitranka , Koleva Venelina , Sokołowska Zofia , Hajnos Mieczysław
Published: June 2017

The study characterized the regime of nutrient leaching under different nitrogen and phosphorus supply of irrigated maize grown as monoculture on Fluvisol for the period 1999-2008 and additionally studied in the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of longterm fertilizer application on the leaching of nutrients from the soil under maize grown as monoculture. The experiment design included four nitrogen fertilizer rates (B1-control, B5, B4, B3, B2) calculated to compensate 50, 75, 100, and 125% from the plant N uptake, respectively. The field plots were equipped with lysimeters (at 50 and 100 cm depth) for studying the relationship between the applied fertilizer rates and the nutrient concentrations in the lysimetric water. The greatest nitrogen concentration in lysimetric water was observed under variant (B3-N200 P150) throughout the study period and the highest N losses were registered (36 kg ha-1) in 2010 under the same treatment (B3). A very good correlation was found between the N rates, calcium, and magnesium losses. Lysimetric water component compensation shows that agricultural activities have only influenced the speed of weathering and had no significant effect on the rates.
Orginal Article. Nephritic cell damage and antioxidant status in rats exposed to leachate from battery recycling industry
Authors: Akintunde Jacob K. , Oboh Ganiyu
Published: June 2017

Limited studies have assessed the toxic effect of sub-acute and sub-chronic exposure of leachate (mixture of metals) in mammalian kidney. The sub-acute and sub-chronic exposure of mature male Wistar-strain albino rats (200-220 g) were given by oral administration with leachate from Elewi Odo municipal battery recycling industry (EOMABRIL) for period of 7 and 60 days respectively, at different concentrations (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%). This was to evaluate its toxic effects on male renal functions using biomarkers of oxidative stress and nephro-cellular damage. Control groups were treated equally, but given distilled water instead of the leachate. All the groups were fed with the same standard food and had free access to drinking water. Following the exposure, results showed that the treatment induced systemic toxicity at the doses tested by causing a significant (p<0.05) alteration in enzymatic antioxidantscatalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the kidneys which resulted into elevated levels of malonaldehyde (MDA). Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were found to be significantly (p<0.05) depleted relative to the control group. Considerable renal cortical congestion and numerous tubules with protein casts were observed in the lumen of EOMABRIL-treated rats. These findings conclude that possible mechanism by which EOMABRIL at the investigated concentrations elicits nephrotoxicity could be linked to the individual, additive, synergistic or antagonistic interactions of this mixture of metals with the renal bio-molecules, alteration of kidney detoxifying enzymes and necrosis of nephritic tubular epithelial cells.
Case Report. The first report of pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning in a gazelle (Gazella Subgutturosa) – histopathologic diagnosis
Authors: Khordadmehr Monireh , Rezazadeh Fereydoon , Ashrafi-Helan Javad , Hosseini-Ghomi Mir Mohsen
Published: June 2017

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural phytotoxins found in thousands of plant species around the world. They are probably the most common poisonous plants affecting livestock, wildlife and humans. The disease occurs almost entirely as a consequence of chronic poisoning and in general ends fatally. In the present study, PAs poisoning was investigated in a gazelle with hepatic encephalopathy associated with severe neurologic signs. The main clinical signs included head pressing, progressive depression and weakness, ataxia and reluctance to move, turn the head to the left and to paddle, hyperesthesia and decreased food intake. Histopathological examination revealed major lesions in the liver consisting of severe hepatocyte megalocytosis and hypertrophy with nuclei enlargement, mild bile duct hyperplasia, centriacinar fatty change and hepatocellular necrosis. Moreover, pulmonary congestion and edema with endothelium necrosis and alveolar septa thickening, severe congestion in vessels of the brain and meninges, and myocardial necrosis were observed.
Review article. Adverse hematological effects of hexavalent chromium: an overview
Authors: Ray Rina Rani
Published: June 2017

Workers of tanneries, welding industries, factories manufacturing chromate containing paints are exposed to hexavalent chromium that increas¬es the risk of developing serious adverse health effects. This review elucidates the mode of action of hexavalent chromium on blood and its adverse effects. Both leukocyte and erythrocyte counts of blood sharply decreased in Swiss mice after two weeks of intraperitoneal treatment with Cr (VI), with the erythrocytes transforming into echinocytes. The hexavalent chromium in the blood is readily reduced to trivalent form and the reductive capacity of erythrocytes is much greater than that of plasma. Excess Cr (VI), not reduced in plasma, may enter erythrocytes and lymphocytes and in rodents it induces microcytic anemia. The toxic effects of chromium (VI) include mitochondrial injury and DNA damage of blood cells that leads to carcinogenicity. Excess Cr (VI) increases cytosolic Ca2+ activity and ATP depletion thereby inducing eryptosis. Se, vitamin C, and quercetin are assumed to have some protective effect against hexavalent chromium induced hematological disorders.
Review Article. Organochlorine pesticides, their toxic effects on living organisms and their fate in the environment
Authors: Jayaraj Ravindran , Megha Pankajshan , Sreedev Puthur
Published: June 2017

Organochlorine (OC) pesticides are synthetic pesticides widely used all over the world. They belong to the group of chlorinated hydrocarbon derivatives, which have vast application in the chemical industry and in agriculture. These compounds are known for their high toxicity, slow degradation and bioaccumulation. Even though many of the compounds which belong to OC were banned in developed countries, the use of these agents has been rising. This concerns particularly abuse of these chemicals which is in practice across the continents. Though pesticides have been developed with the concept of target organism toxicity, often non-target species are affected badly by their application. The purpose of this review is to list the major classes of pesticides, to understand organochlorine pesticides based on their activity and persistence, and also to understand their biochemical toxicity.
Original Article. Study of the cytotoxic/toxic potential of the novel anticancer selenodiazoloquinolone on fibroblast cells and 3D skin model
Authors: Jantová Soňa , Topoľská Dominika , Janošková Michaela , Pánik Miroslav , Milata Viktor
Published: June 2017

The new synthetically prepared quinolone derivative 7-ethyl 9-ethyl-6-oxo-6,9-dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo [3,4-h]quinoline-7-carboxylate (E2h) showed in our previous study cytotoxic effects towards tumor cells and immunomodulatory activities on RAW 264.7 cell line murine macrophages. E2h may have a potential use as a novel chemotherapeutic agent with immunomodulatory properties and the ability to induce apoptotic death of cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the antiproliferative/cytotoxic activities of E2h on human non-cancer fibroblast BHNF-1 cells and reconstructed human epidermis EpiDerm™. Further the effects of E2h on tissue structure and morphology were examined. Cytotoxic/toxic studies showed that selenadiazoloquinolone is not toxic on normal human fibroblast cells BHNF-1 and dimensional skin constructs EpiDerm™. Evaluation of morphological changes in EpiDerm™ showed no change in the construction and morphology of skin tissue treated by E2h compared to control.
Risk factors of chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair: a systematic review
Authors: Reinpold Wolfgang
Published: June 2017

Introduction:

Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is the most common complication after inguinal hernia operation. Eighteen percent (range, 0.7%–75%) of patients suffered from CPIP after open inguinal hernia repair and 6% (range, 1%–16%) reported CPIP after laparoendoscopic groin hernia repair. The incidence of clinically significant CPIP with impact on daily activities ranged between 10% and 12%. Debilitating CPIP with severe impact on normal daily activities or work was reported in 0.5%–6% of the cases.

Materials and methods:

PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Database were searched for studies on risk factors for chronic pain after open and endoscopic hernia repair. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations (GRADE) methodology.

Results:

Risk factors for CPIP with strong evidence include female gender, young age, high intensity of preoperative pain, high early postoperative pain intensity, history of chronic pain other than CPIP, operation for a recurrent hernia, and open repair technique. Risk factors for CPIP with moderate evidence include postoperative complications, neurolysis, and preservation of the ilioinguinal nerve in Lichtenstein repair. Risk factors for CPIP with low evidence include genetic predisposition (DQB1*03:02 HLA haplotype), lower preoperative optimism, high pain intensity to tonic heat stimulation, inadequate suture/staple/clip mesh fixation, ignorance of the inguinal nerves, less experienced surgeon, sensory dysfunction in the groin, and worker’s compensation.

Conclusion:

Detailed knowledge of the risk factors, meticulous operative technique with profound knowledge of the anatomy, proper nerve identification and handling, optimization of prosthetic materials, and careful fixation are of utmost importance for the prevention of CPIP.
Surgical management of rectal foreign bodies: a 10-year single-center experience
Authors: Kokemohr Pia , Haeder Lars , Frömling Fabian Joachim , Landwehr Peter , Jähne Joachim
Published: June 2017

Background:

Patients with a rectal foreign body (RFB) are still a rare entity in general surgery departments but with an increasing incidence over the last years. This case is sometimes difficult to treat, and due to a lack of standardized treatment options, the aim of the study was to present our clinical experiences with the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to RFBs and a review of the currently available literature.

Materials and methods:

Data were collected retrospectively from the patient’s records of 20 patients who were treated due to an RFB between 2006 and 2016. Patient’s demographics, circumstances of insertion, inserted objects, clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging results, as well as surgical treatment and duration of hospital stay were analyzed. Additionally, a review of the literature was performed with the search items “rectal foreign body” and “surgical therapy”. Because many publications were just case reports, we did not perform a meta-analysis or a systematic review.

Results:

Twenty-two cases in 20 patients (80% male) presented to the emergency room. The mean age was 38.5±13.7 years. In 68.2% of the cases, the cause of RFB was due to sexual preferences. The following objects were inserted: six dildos, three vibrators, two bottles, one glass, one deodorant, one apple, one fever thermometer, multiple glass fragments and razor blades in one patient and six unknown objects. For 18 RFBs, manual peranal removal without anesthesia was possible in the emergency room, but two patients required intravenous analgesia. Two patients were transferred to the operating room and the foreign body was removed via the anus under general anesthesia. Open surgery with a laparotomy was necessary for two complicated cases. One patient was in need of surgery due to a vacuum generated by the RFB, whereas the second patient suffered from a sigmoid perforation. In all cases, there was no morbidity or mortality.

Conclusion:

In most cases, the removal of an RFB can be performed peranally in the emergency room without further complications, therefore representing the therapy of choice for RFB. Only in cases with perforation, acute abdomen, or failed peranal approaches, surgery is indicated to remove the foreign body.
Best approximation in quotient probabilistic normed space
Authors: Sen Mausumi , Nath Soumitra , Tripathy Binod Chandra
Published: June 2017

In this article, we study the best approximation in quotient probabilistic normed space. We define the notion of quotient space of a probabilistic normed space, then prove some theorems of approximation in quotient space are extended to quotient probabilistic normed space.
Case report. Role of the Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Gene Mutation in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Jakó Beáta , Sinkó János
Published: June 2017

This is a case report of a 36-year-old male who was diagnosed with acute inferior and right ventricular myocardial infarction and treated with percutaneous coronary angioplasty with a drug-eluting stent in the right coronary artery. A profile test for thrombophilia was performed for methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation; the test was positive for a heterozygous mutation - C677C and 1298A. The patient received a long-term treatment with folic acid supplements, taken daily. This case report shows that medical doctors should have an outside-the-box approach for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of young patients who present with acute cardiovascular events. If the patient in question does not present clear cardiovascular risk factors for acute myocardial ischemia, the clinician should seek for possible causes, thus leading to several benefits in the management and secondary prevention of such cases.
The Civil Air Patrol: The Struggle for Identity and Relevance
Authors: Rooks John Thomas , Richardson Tracey M.
Published: June 2017

This paper’s purpose is to explore the Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) historical function of emergency management and compare it to modern-day positioning. CAP’s identity is evaluated to determine how it aligns with the current mission and public perception. The mission’s relevance is examined considering modern technology that now provides simpler alternatives. A proposed action plan describing repositioning of the CAP mission, areas of opportunity, and the resulting financial implications are included.
Simulation-Based Analysis of Intelligent Maintenance Systems and Spare Parts Supply Chains Integration
Authors: Frazzon Enzo M. , Holtz Tulio H. , Silva Lucas S. , Pires Matheus C.
Published: June 2017

Production systems are composed of increasingly complex components with unique specifications. Therefore, since holding safety stocks of each component would be prohibitive, maintenance activities rely on the proper delivery of spare parts, making it available at the right time and place. Equipments monitored by sensors as well as the transmission of sensors data to the spare part supply chain represent an interesting venue for dealing with this contemporaneous industrial challenge. In this direction, this paper applies a simulation model derived from a real world scenario to analyze the performance of the collaboration between condition-based maintenance – also known as intelligent maintenance systems – and spare parts supply chains, in comparison with existing maintenance approaches. Obtained results substantiate the potential of monitoring, treating and transmitting equipment condition data to ensure cost-effective maintenance and production systems availability.
The Immediate Effect of Pragmatic Plausibility in Reanalysis: Evidence from Event-related Brain Potentials
Authors: Oishi Hiroaki
Published: June 2017

Previous studies on reanalysis in sentence processing have shown that the processing load of reanalysis increases in proportion to the difficulty in revising the existing structure. The present study, on the other hand, argues that the processing load of reanalysis also increases when the pragmatic plausibility of the interpretation of the revised structure turns out to be pragmatically less plausible. This paper reports the results of two experiments: The results of Experiment 1 (a self-paced reading study) indicate that the pragmatically less plausible interpretation of the revised structure immediately affects the processing load of the reanalysis. Experiment 2 further addresses the issue of the immediate impact of the effect of the pragmatic plausibility by recording event-related brain potentials (ERPs). The results revealed that a large N400 effect was observed at the pragmatically less plausible words, while the response to the effect of the structural revision resulted in a P600 effect. Furthermore, we found the nearly perfect linear summation between the N400 and P600 effects, suggesting that the difficulty in the pragmatic integration process did not affect the difficulty in the structural revision process. In addition, we found that the onset of the P600 effect reflecting the cost of revising the existing structure was relatively earlier than that of the N400 effect reflecting the pragmatic implausibility. The present study provides us with some implications for a theory of reanalysis and consideration of the time course of reanalysis.
The specificity and the constraints on NP-external placement of quantity expressions in Japanese
Authors: Minagawa Harumi
Published: June 2017

It is generally agreed that, in Japanese, NP-external placement of quantity expressions (often referred to as ‘quantifier float’) can occur with noun phrases in the nominative and accusative cases and sometimes with ni-marked cases, and most of the accounts have been syntactically based. Interpreting approximate quantity as one of the indicators of a low degree of specificity (less commitment on the part of the speaker to refer to particular entities), this study examines these statements in a wider context of a correlation between a low degree of specificity and the permissibility of NP-external constructions occurring with noun phrases marked by ni and even other oblique cases. The study supports the validity of the hypothesis by examples found in a CD corpus and on the Internet and by the result of a large scale native speaker grammaticality test, suggesting that perception of grammaticality is sensitive to semantic factors such as the degree of specificity.
On the status of nai in modern Japanese
Authors: Backhouse Anthony E.
Published: June 2017

One of the commonest words in Japanese, nai has received varying theoretical treatments from linguists, with differing practical consequences. The paper seeks to provide a clear synchronic descriptive account, identifying the issues concerned and considering different positions in the light of relevant criteria. Topics addressed include the incidence of suppletion in Japanese, the weighting of morphological and syntactic criteria in word class assignment, gradience of membership, and the question of diachronic influences on current analyses.
A sonority-based approach to Sino-Japanese compounds
Authors: Kadono Jiro
Published: June 2017

This article proposes a sonority-based approach to Sino-Japanese morphophonemic alternations. An earlier OT analysis by Kurisu (2000) sees Sino-Japanese obstruent gemination as the result of minimization of the number of syllables induced by a gradient alignment constraint. However, gradient evaluation of constraints runs counter to McCarthy’s (2003) argument that OT constraints are categorically evaluated. The goal of this article is to resolve this problem by developing a unified OT analysis of obstruent gemination and syllabification of stem-final nasals as codas with reference to onset sonority distinctions. Less sonorous segments have a stronger preference to syllabify as onsets than do more sonorous segments. This preference relationship between segment classes and syllabification has been formalized as the Onset Sonority Hierarchy (Prince & Smolensky 1993; Baertsch 2002; Smith 2003; Moreton et al 2006; etc). By taking the position that local conjunction of onset sonority and peak constraints plays the central role in creating the observed syllabification pattern through interaction with faithfulness and other markedness constraints, this analysis also makes it possible to view the segmental restrictions on the onsets of the second syllables of Sino-Japanese stems as a concomitant onset sonority effect.
Deictic and anaphoric uses of the Japanese demonstratives ko-so-a
Authors: Hasegawa Yoko
Published: June 2017

This paper analyzes the ko-so-a demonstratives in Japanese as they occur in experimentally-obtained soliloquy data. In soliloquy, the Japanese deixis system consists of a two-way opposition, viz. ko- vs. a-. So- appears only as an anaphor; its antecedent can be either familiar or unfamiliar to the speaker, contrary to Kuno’s (1973) analysis. It is also argued that ko- and a- are always deictic in soliloquy. Adopting Chafe’s (1994) theory of consciousness, it is hypothesized that (i) a- is used when the referent is in the speaker’s peripheral consciousness, and (ii) ko- is used to refer to an entity if it is already focused at the moment of speech. Finally, it is demonstrated that so- and a- exhibit the attributive-referential distinction, which is proposed by Donnellan (1966).
Pronominal interpretations in L2 Japanese
Authors: Pimentel Carlos L. , Nakayama Mineharu
Published: June 2017

This paper investigates L2 learners’ interpretations of Japanese overt and empty pronouns by utilizing a truth value judgment task. The results show evidence contrary to Kanno’s (1997, 1998) claims that JFL learners have knowledge that Japanese overt pronouns cannot have quantifier antecedents from an early stage of learning. The results of the present study show evidence that JFL learners display knowledge of the coreferential readings of Japanese pronouns from an early stage of learning. However, this does not appear to be the case for the bound variable readings. In contrast, advanced learners show knowledge that overt pronouns cannot have bound variable readings. From these results we argue that: (1) it takes time to acquire the knowledge that overt pronouns cannot refer to quantifiers and (2) the JFL learners employed an L1 transfer strategy in the interpretation of Japanese overt pronouns.
Some observations on wh-clauses in Japanese Sign Language
Authors: Uchibori Asako , Matsuoka Kazumi
Published: June 2017

This paper offers basic observations about wh-questions in JSL with clause-final wh-signs, i.e., wh-finals. Basic word order of matrix wh-sentences in Japanese Sign Language (JSL) have been reported by previous studies such as Morgan (2006), Fischer and Gong (2010), Kimura (2011), and Akahori and Oka (2011), among others, which reported that wh-signs can appear in the clause-final position in addition to clause-initial and in-situ positions. In order to investigate the syntactic mechanism of JSL wh-constructions, it is also necessary to confirm basic syntactic properties of wh-signs in embedded clauses. However, distributions of wh-signs in embedded clauses have not been fully investigated in previous studies. Based on the discussion on the word order of sentences with direct and indirect speech in JSL in Uchibori et al. (2011), this paper demonstrates that wh-signs occur in embedded clauses that are not instances of direct speech (or quotations) of wh-questions, but those of syntactically embedded indirect speech. In embedded clauses, wh-finals appear as in the matrix wh-questions. Relevant theoretical issues are discussed concerning the relation between linear properties (i.e., distributions of wh-expressions) and the structural properties of natural language.
Japanese compliment discourse: The process of collaborative construction
Authors: Satoh Kyoko
Published: June 2017

Following on Pomerantz’s (1978) study, the speech act of compliment has been studied from various aspects. Past studies have been confined largely to examination of a single compliment and its response pair. However, actual compliment speech acts rarely end after one such exchange. Therefore, this paper observes the strategic development of compliment discourse: how compliment discourse, a series of exchanges that include compliments and their responses, develops, recesses, and moves into the next topic. In analyzing the extended speech act, rather than merely compliment response pairs, this research reveals the following developmental patterns: repetition of compliment and response, followed by frame shift to close the compliment discourse. The findings indicate that people collaboratively construct compliment discourse for the purpose of facework, i.e., avoidance of self-praise and agreement with others, and respecting evaluation of evaluation.
Sequential patterns of storytelling using omotte in Japanese conversation
Authors: Shimotani Maki , Endo Tomoko
Published: June 2017

In the literature of Japanese linguistics, the verb omou ‘to think’ has been extensively studied in terms of epistemic modality and analyzed as an expression of the speaker’s opinion specifically at a sentential level. However, through examining the data of storytelling in everyday conversation, we found that this verb rarely occurs in the non-past predicate form omou. Instead, it occurs in a connective -te form, i.e., omotte. Unlike omou, uses of omotte in storytelling sequences rarely indicate the speaker’s opinion. Rather, it shows a quotation of his or her thought evoked during an event or in telling a story; it also plays a significant role in managing larger units of talk. This study, within the framework of interactional linguistics (e.g., Ochs, Schegloff, & Thompson, 1996), focuses on the form omotte and investigates how it is used as a linguistic resource to manage the organization of a story.
A corpus-based analysis of the paradigmatic development of semi-polite verbs in Chinese and Korean learners of Japanese
Authors: Horiuchi Hitoshi
Published: June 2017

Using a longitudinal spoken learner corpus called C-JAS, this research examined the use of semi-polite forms of verbs, which are made up of plain forms of verbs followed by the polite form of copula desu, by learners of Japanese. Findings demonstrate that over a period of time, L2 learners develop not only individual semi-polite verbs but also their paradigms, which consist of affirmative non-past, affirmative past, negative non-past, and negative past. The study also compared the use of semi-polite verbs with that of standard polite forms of verbs and revealed their usage rates. Based on the results, I propose a hypothesis that L2 learners have a general tendency of preferring analytic operations to synthetic operations in order to develop their own grammar.
Language learners’ use of non-turn-final ne
Authors: Ganir Paul
Published: June 2017

The present study examines how learners of Japanese as a second language employ the Japanese pragmatic particle ne in non-turn-final positions during their conversations. Data taken from class and club sessions totaling roughly 34 hours reveal that intermediate learners of Japanese studying in an American immersion language program use the particle in three main positions: turnfinal, turn-initial, and turn-internal. In particular, the turn-final and turn-initial uses were characterized by the use of formulaic sequences. Furthermore, the data indicate that the physical locations of language classrooms and club activities do not affect the position of the particle. These findings suggest that discourse structures and issues of (in)formality or intimacy influence learners’ variety of ne use. This study concludes with proposals to integrate these factors in theoretical and educational studies of Japanese language acquisition.
Comments on verb doubling construction in Japanese
Authors: Kawai Michiya
Published: June 2017

The analysis offered in “Verb doubling construction in Japanese” is critically reviewed. The analysis yield verb doubling construction (VCD) by moving a verb-tense complex (VTC) in T to C, and phonetically realizing both the moved VTC in C and its copy in T. The analysis suffers from various shortcomings. Among them, it relies upon a problematic formulation of Doubly Filled Comp Filter, and the analysis incorrectly predicts the possibility of VDC in embedded contexts. The present study offers a brief outline of a plausible alternative of VDC that involves a phonetically null sentence-final particle (SFP) whose phonetic content is copied from the predicate at the phonetic interface.
Assessment of stress levels in girls with central precocious puberty before and during long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment: a pilot study
Authors: Menk Tais A.S. , Inácio Marlene , Macedo Delanie B. , Bessa Danielle S. , Latronico Ana C. , Mendonca Berenice B. , Brito Vinicius Nahime
Published: June 2017

Background:

The objective of the study was to determine the stress levels of girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) before and during treatment with a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa).

Methods:

The Child Stress Scale (CSS) was used for 10 unrelated girls with CPP before and after the first year of GnRHa treatment. The CSS is divided into four subscales (physical, psychological, psychological with depressive component and psychophysiological reactions). Through a quantitative analysis, it is possible to classify stress into four stages: alarm, resistance, near-exhaustion and exhaustion.

Results:

At diagnosis, 90% of the girls showed stress levels scores at the alarm or resistance stage on at least one subscale, mostly in terms of physical and psychological reactions. The mean total stress score was significantly higher before when compared to after GnRHa treatment (43.4±15.6 vs. 28.9±9.7; p<0.05). The mean stress scores obtained in all subscales, except the one on psychophysiological reactions, were significantly higher before GnRHa treatment.

Conclusions:

Higher stress levels were a common finding in girls with CPP before treatment. The significant stress level reduction after pubertal suppression reinforces the idea that sexual precocity is a stressful condition in children. The CSS might be a useful tool for psychological assessment of patients with CPP.
Oral administration of diluted nasal desmopressin in managing neonatal central diabetes insipidus
Authors: Mavinkurve Meenal , McGrath Niamh , Johnston Niall , Moloney Sinead , Murphy Nuala P. , Hawkes Colin P.
Published: June 2017

Background:

Neonatal central diabetes insipidus (NCDI) remains a therapeutic challenge, as extremely low doses of enteral desmopressin cannot be titrated with current preparations. The aim of this study was to describe the use of orally administered dilute desmopressin in NCDI.

Methods:

Nasal desmopressin (100 μg/mL) was diluted in 0.9% saline to 10 μg/mL. Infants were treated with 1–5 μg and doses were titrated to a twice-daily regimen. The feed volume was 150 mL/kg/day and titrated according to weight gain.

Results:

Five infants aged 6–105 days were included. Stabilizing treatment doses ranged from 2 to 5 μg twice daily in neonates, and 12 μg twice daily in the older infant who was diagnosed at 105 days.

Conclusions:

Dilution of nasal desmopressin with saline facilitates safe administration and dose titration in NCDI. We recommend considering this therapeutic approach to NCDI, particularly in small infants or where alternative treatment regimens have been unsuccessful.
Hepar uterinum: a history of ideas on fetal nutrition
Authors: Obladen Michael
Published: June 2017

The means of fetal nutrition has been debated for over two millennia, with the controversy of oral versus parenteral nutrition already in the Corpus Hippocraticum. In 1587 Aranzio rejected connections between maternal and fetal blood vessels, and coined the term “hepar uterinum” for the placenta. From the 16th to the 18th century, a fervent debate focused on the type and extent of connection between maternal and fetal vessels, which was finally settled by Hunter’s injection experiment in 1774. But up to the middle of the 19th century, an important nutritive function was attributed to amniotic fluid. When with the discovery of oxygen the placenta’s respiratory function became understood, its nutritional function fell from grace. Most scientists realized reluctantly that the organ had numerous functions. As late as in the 19th century, the advent of microscopy allowed cell theory to develop, and analytical chemistry furthered the understanding of the transport of nutrients across the placenta. The identification of the syncytiotrophoblast made passive diffusion unlikely. Radioisotopes, molecular biology and the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane revealed active transport mechanisms for nearly all macronutrients.
Five years’ experience in an anesthesiology antenatal clinic for high-risk patients
Authors: Shatalin Daniel , Gozal Yaacov , Grisaru-Granovsky Sorina , Ioscovich Alexander
Published: June 2017

Introduction:

The aim, of this study is to describe our approach and outcomes in an outpatient anesthesia/analgesia antepartum clinic among ambulatory high-risk obstetric patients.

Methods:

This was a retrospective evaluation of the activity of the anesthesiology antenatal clinic from its inception in 2010 until 2016 (a 5-year period). The clinic works in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The catchment area of the study University Affiliated Hospital attends a multiethnic population characterized by high parity.

Results:

There were 241 referrals over the 5 years, each of whom was discharged with a consult and a delivery management plan and 228 (95%) of which were performed as planned. Mean gestational age at consultation was 34.4 weeks (range: 20–37). There were no preconceptional consultation. No limitations regarding mode of anesthesia/analgesia was considered for 47% of the referrals. Nulliparous women accounted for 50% of the referrals and 17% were in their second pregnancy. The greatest number of referrals (30%) was for musculoskeletal conditions. No maternal death encountered. The mode of delivery was vaginal in 139 (65%) women; elective cesarean section in 44 (21%) women; and emergent cesarean section in 30 (14%) women. The neonatal outcomes were unremarkable; 210 (87%) in hospital births, 97.1% had an a 5′ Apgar score of 9.

Conclusion:

Our findings reveal the need for high-risk obstetric patients consult with a dedicated obstetric anesthesiologist to devise a management plan for labor and delivery that is tailored to their comorbidity and obstetric status, to ensure an optimum outcome for mother and child.
On the discourse anaphoric properties of Spanish pre- and post-nominal demonstratives: A comparative analysis
Authors: Zulaica Hernández Iker
Published: June 2017

This paper studies the referring properties of post-nominal demonstratives in Spanish with an aim to contributing to our present understanding of this marked construction. A corpus analysis is presented, where 600 cases of pre- and post-nominal demonstratives are analyzed based on their discourse anaphoric properties: direct vs. indirect anaphora. The data reveal that post-nominal demonstratives are significantly preferred in cases of indirect anaphora; that is, where no antecedent is linguistically realized in the discourse, and the reference of the demonstrative anaphor has to be inferred from the discourse or situational context. Pre-nominal demonstratives, on the other hand, show a more balanced picture sharing similar numbers in direct and indirect anaphora. However, the data also reveal that post-nominal demonstratives can be used in direct anaphoric uses, which poses a problem for a categorical distinction between pre- and post-nominal demonstratives at the referential level. Since variability appears to be the nature of the phenomenon, I propose a uniform presuppositional characterization for pre- and post-nominal demonstratives that is able to account for the observed referential flexibility.