bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telomeres in Fishes
Authors: Ocalewicz K.
Published: August 2013

In fishes, as in other vertebrate species, the DNA component of the telomeres consists of the tandemly repeated TTAGGG motif. The length of the telomeric arrays in fishes ranges from 2 to 25 kb and shortens with age in some of the species. To date, chromosomal distribution of the telomeric DNA sequences has been examined in approximately 80 fish species of which about 42% show additional telomeric hybridization signals far from the chromosomal termini. Based on the chromosomal location, such internally located telomeric repeats may be classified into 4 categories: (1) telomeric DNA sequences located at the pericentromeric regions, (2) interstitial telomeric sites observed between centromeres and the bona fide telomeres, (3) telomeric DNA sequences that scatter along the nucleolus organizer regions, and (4) telomeric DNA repeats interspersed with the entire chromosomes. Most of the pericentromeric and interstitial telomeric sequences in fish are possible relicts of chromosome fusion events. The origin of the telomeric sequences co- localizing with the major rDNA sequences or scattered along the whole chromosomes is not clear. Internally located telomeric repeats are considered as ‘hot spots' for recombination and thus may potentially increase the rates of chromosome breaks and rearrangements leading to the various chromosomal polymorphisms in fishes. FISH with telomeric probe applied to metaphase spreads of androgenetic specimens that hatched from eggs exposed to ionizing radiation before insemination enabled the detection of small radiation-induced fragments of maternal chromosomes. Remnants of the irradiated chromosomes were found to be ring chromosomes with the interstitial telomeric signals, telomerless rings, fragments with fused sister chromatids, and linear fragments with telomeres detected at both of their ends. The increasing availability of techniques enabling the study of fish telomeres and telomerase and the easy access to numerous fish species strongly confirm that these animals are promising models in research concerning the role of telomeres and telomerase in vertebrate aging, repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks, and chromosomal rearrangements.
Comparison of Computed Tomography- and Positron Emission Tomography-Based Radiotherapy Planning in Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Onal Cem , Topuk Savas , Yapar Ali F. , Yavuz Melek , Topkan Erkan , Yavuz Aydin
Published: August 2013

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare computed tomography (CT)- and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT-based gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation and its subsequent expansion to the planning target volume (PTV), and to analyze the resultant doses of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) to critical organs. Methods: 15 patients with unresectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) were enrolled into this study. PTVCT-based plans were initially made, and then PTVPET-CT-based plans were created using the same beam angles and isocenter. The dosimetric parameters analyzed included GTVCT, PTVCT, GTVPET-CT and PTVPET-CT. Prescribed and delivered radiation doses to target volumes and delineated organs at risk were also compared. Results: Mean GTV and PTV were significantly reduced in the PET/CT-based plan compared to the CT-based plan; the mean reductions of GTV and PTV were 28.7% and 15.2%, respectively. The mean value for GTVPET/GTVCT mismatch was 49.5 ± 28.9%, and that for GTVCT/GTVPET was 95.9 ± 19.5%. The mean value for PTVPET-CT/PTVCT mismatch was 21.9 ± 7.0% and that for PTVCT/PTVPET-CT was 39.1 ± 9.2%. Liver doses were significantly reduced (17.1%) in the PET/CT-based plan compared to the CT-based plan; the doses received by at least 30% and 50% of the liver were 30.0%, and 27.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The potential benefit of PET/CT is the reduction in geographic misses and regional treatment failures associated with CT-based planning.
Prognostic Significance of the Number of Removed Lymph Nodes at Lobectomy in Patients with Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography-Negative N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Tsai Yuan-Ming , Huang Tsai-Wang , Hsu Hsian-He , Cheng Cheng-Yi , Lin Yu-Chieh , Cheng Yeung-Leung , Chang Hung , Lee Shih-Chun
Published: August 2013

Background: We assessed the relation between the extent of lymph node (LN) dissection and the prognosis for positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT)-negative patients with clinical early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), undergoing lobectomy and mediastinal LN dissection. Methods: 277 patients with clinical stage I/II NSCLC who had undergone a preoperative PET-CT scan followed by lobectomy were analysed retrospectively. The prognostic value of age, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the tumour, tumour size, carcinoembryonic antigen and number of dissected LNs was assessed to determine any association with overall survival and disease-free survival. Results: 31 patients developed postoperative relapse, and multiple logistic regression revealed that the number of dissected LNs was an independent factor predicting relapse. Patients were categorized into groups according to the number of LNs dissected (group I, < 10; group II, ≥ 10). There were no statistical differences between 2 groups but group II patients had a lower relapse rate (6.3%, p = 0.003) and better disease-free survival (74.95 months, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Mediastinal LN dissection is still important for clinical early-stage NSCLC patients undergoing lobectomy even when the preoperative PET-CT is negative, and results in fewer relapses and improved disease-free survival.
Meta-Analysis of the Association between the IL-12B +1188 A/C Polymorphism and Cancer Risk
Authors: Yang Zaixing , Liang Yan , Qin Baodong , Zhong Renqian
Published: August 2013

Background: Because of inconsistent results from previous studies on the association of IL-12B +1188 A/C polymorphism with cancer risk, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the association. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed to identify all relevant studies to May 31, 2012, with a restriction to English and Chinese publications. Pooled data were estimated using a random-effects model. Results: 17 publications were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that the polymorphism was significantly associated with a decreased risk for overall cancer (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86, 0.76-0.97, p = 0.007; 0.80, 0.68-0.95, p = 0.012; and 0.88, 0.78-0.99, p = 0.032, respectively for dominant model, recessive model, and allele analysis) or nasopharyngeal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. This association was also found in Asians (OR, 95% CI: 0.89, 0.80-0.99, p = 0.031; 0.82, 0.68-0.98, p = 0.027; and 0.89, 0.80-1.00, p = 0.047, respectively for dominant model, recessive model, and allele analysis), but not in Europeans and Americans. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the IL-12B +1188 A/C polymorphism could play a protective role in the development of cancer. More investigations involving various cancer types among various populations are needed.
Cost-effectiveness impact of rivaroxaban versus new and existing prophylaxis for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after total hip or knee replacement surgery in France, Italy and Spain
Authors: Monreal Manuel , Folkerts Kerstin , Imberti Davide , Brosa Max , Diamantopoulos Alex
Published: August 2013

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has a significant impact on healthcare costs but is largely preventable with anticoagulant prophylaxis using low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), such as enoxaparin or dalteparin. Rivaroxaban and dabigatran etexilate are two new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) both compared with enoxaparin in separate trials. A decision analytic model with a healthcare and national payer perspective over a five-year time horizon was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the NOACs for VTE prophylaxis after total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) in France, Italy and Spain. Efficacy and safety data were obtained from randomised controlled trials of rivaroxaban vs enoxaparin and an indirect statistical comparison for rivaroxaban vs dabigatran. Rivaroxaban demonstrated dominance across all comparisons, indications and countries. In THR, total per-patient costs were reduced by up to €160 in the enoxaparin comparison and €115 in the dabigatran comparison, respectively. In addition, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were increased by up to 0.0011 and 0.0012 in each comparison, respectively. Similarly, total costs were reduced in TKR by up to €137 and €28 in the enoxaparin and dabigatran comparisons, respectively. The total number of QALYs was increased by up to 0.0014 in the enoxaparin comparison and 0.0005 in the dabigatran comparison. The results were driven by costs since the incremental benefits were minimal. Rivaroxaban use could result in substantial healthcare cost savings and improved quality of life. The results are applicable across three European countries with differing healthcare systems so, potentially, could be generalised to a much wider population.
Functional responses and molecular mechanisms involved in histone-mediated platelet activation
Authors: Romaniuk Marìa Albertina , Fondevila Carlos , Negrotto Soledad , Carestia Agostina , Rivadeneyra Leonardo , Schattner Mirta
Published: August 2013

Histones are highly alkaline proteins found in cell nuclei and they can be released by either dying or inflammatory cells. The recent observations that histones are major components of neutrophil extracellular traps and promote platelet aggregation and platelet-dependent thrombin generation have shown that these proteins are potent prothrombotic molecules. Because the mechanism(s) of platelet activation by histones are not completely understood, we explored the ability of individual recombinant human histones H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 to induce platelet activation as well as the possible molecular mechanisms involved. All histones were substrates for platelet adhesion and spreading and triggered fibrinogen binding, aggregation, von Willebrand factor release, P-selectin and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates; however, H4 was the most potent. Histone-mediated fibrinogen binding, P-selectin and PS exposure and the formation of mixed aggregates were potentiated by thrombin. Histones induced the activation of ERK, Akt, p38 and NFkB. Accordingly, histone-induced platelet activation was significantly impaired by pretreatment of platelets with inhibitors of ERK (U 0126), PI3K/Akt (Ly 294002), p38 (SB 203580) and NFkB (BAY 11–7082 and Ro 106–9920). Preincubation of platelets with either aspirin or dexamethasone markedly decreased fibrinogen binding and the adhesion mediated by histones without affecting P-selectin exposure. Functional platelet responses induced by H3 and H4, but not H1, H2A and H2B, were partially mediated through interaction with Toll-like receptors –2 and –4. Our data identify histones as important triggers of haemostatic and proinflammatory platelet responses, and only haemostatic responses are partially inhibited by anti-inflammatory drugs.
Rearrangement of Atrial Bundle Architecture and Consequent Changes in Anisotropy of Conduction Constitute the 3-Dimensional Substrate for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Maesen Bart , Zeemering Stef , Afonso Carlos , Eckstein Jens , Burton Rebecca A.B. , van Hunnik Arne , Stuckey Daniel J. , Tyler Damian , Maessen Jos , Grau Vicente , Verheule Sander , Kohl Peter , Schotten Ulrich
Published: August 2013

Background—

Anisotropy of conduction facilitates re-entry and is, therefore, a key determinant of the stability of atrial fibrillation (AF). Little is known about the effect of AF on atrial bundle architecture and consequent changes in anisotropy of conduction and maintenance of AF.

Methods and Results—

Direct contact mapping was performed in left atria of goats with acute AF (n=6) or persistent AF (n=5). The degree and direction of anisotropic conduction were analyzed. Mapped tissue regions were imaged by high-resolution MRI for identification of endocardial and epicardial bundle directions. Correlation between endocardial and epicardial bundle directions and between bundle directions and anisotropic conduction was quantified. In persistent AF, epicardial bundles were oriented more perpendicularly to endocardial bundles than in acute AF (% angles <20° between epicardial and endocardial bundle directions were 7.63% and 21.25%, respectively;
P
<0.01). In acute AF, the direction of epicardially mapped anisotropic conduction correlated with endocardial but not with epicardial bundles. In persistent AF, the direction of anisotropic conduction correlated better with epicardial than with endocardial bundles (% angles <20° between direction of anisotropic conduction and bundle direction were 28.77% and 18.45%, respectively;
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

During AF, atrial bundle rearrangement manifests itself in more perpendicular orientation of epicardial to endocardial bundles. Propagation of fibrillation waves is dominated by endocardial bundles in acute AF and by epicardial bundles in persistent AF. Together with the loss of endo-epicardial electrical connections, rearrangement of atrial bundles underlies endo-epicardial dissociation of electrical activity and the development of a 3-dimensional AF substrate.
Integration of Cardiac Proteome Biology and Medicine by a Specialized Knowledgebase
Authors: Zong Nobel C. , Li Haomin , Li Hua , Lam Maggie P.Y. , Jimenez Rafael C. , Kim Christina S. , Deng Ning , Kim Allen K. , Choi Jeong Ho , Zelaya Ivette , Liem David , Meyer David , Odeberg Jacob , Fang Caiyun , Lu Hao-jie , Xu Tao , Weiss James , Duan Huilong , Uhlen Mathias , Yates John R. , Apweiler Rolf , Ge Junbo , Hermjakob Henning , Ping Peipei
Published: August 2013

Rationale
:

Omics sciences enable a systems-level perspective in characterizing cardiovascular biology. Integration of diverse proteomics data via a computational strategy will catalyze the assembly of contextualized knowledge, foster discoveries through multidisciplinary investigations, and minimize unnecessary redundancy in research efforts.

Objective
:

The goal of this project is to develop a consolidated cardiac proteome knowledgebase with novel bioinformatics pipeline and Web portals, thereby serving as a new resource to advance cardiovascular biology and medicine.

Methods and Results
:

We created Cardiac Organellar Protein Atlas Knowledgebase (COPaKB;
www.HeartProteome.org
), a centralized platform of high-quality cardiac proteomic data, bioinformatics tools, and relevant cardiovascular phenotypes. Currently, COPaKB features 8 organellar modules, comprising 4203 LC-MS/MS experiments from human, mouse, drosophila, and
Caenorhabditis elegans
, as well as expression images of 10 924 proteins in human myocardium. In addition, the Java-coded bioinformatics tools provided by COPaKB enable cardiovascular investigators in all disciplines to retrieve and analyze pertinent organellar protein properties of interest.

Conclusions
:

COPaKB provides an innovative and interactive resource that connects research interests with the new biological discoveries in protein sciences. With an array of intuitive tools in this unified Web server, nonproteomics investigators can conveniently collaborate with proteomics specialists to dissect the molecular signatures of cardiovascular phenotypes.
A Receptor-Specific Function for Notch2 in Mediating Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth Arrest Through Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1B
Authors: Boucher Joshua M. , Harrington Anne , Rostama Bahman , Lindner Volkhard , Liaw Lucy
Published: August 2013

Rationale:

Deregulated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation contributes to multiple vascular pathologies, and Notch signaling regulates VSMC phenotype.

Objective:

Previous work focused on Notch1 and Notch3 in VSMC during vascular disease; however, the role of Notch2 is unknown. Because injured murine carotid arteries display increased Notch2 in VSMC as compared with uninjured arteries, we sought to understand the impact of Notch2 signaling in VSMCs.

Methods and Results:

In human primary VSMCs, Jagged-1 (Jag-1) significantly reduced proliferation through specific activation of Notch2. Increased levels of p27
kip1
were observed downstream of Jag-1/Notch2 signaling and were required for cell cycle exit. Jag-1 activation of Notch resulted in increased phosphorylation on serine 10, decreased ubiquitination, and prolonged half-life of p27
kip1
. Jag-1/Notch2 signaling robustly decreased S-phase kinase–associated protein, an F-box protein that degrades p27
kip1
during G1. Overexpression of S-phase kinase–associated protein before Notch activation by Jag-1 suppressed the induction of p27
kip1
. Additionally, increased Notch2 and p27
kip1
expression was colocalized to the nonproliferative zone of injured arteries as indicated by co-staining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, whereas Notch3 was expressed throughout normal and injured arteries, suggesting Notch2 may negatively regulate lesion formation.

Conclusions:

We propose a receptor-specific function for Notch2 in regulating Jag-1–induced p27
kip1
expression and growth arrest in VSMCs. During vascular remodeling, colocalization of Notch2 and p27
kip1
to the nonproliferating region supports a model where Notch2 activation may negatively regulate VSMC proliferation to lessen the severity of the lesion. Thus, Notch2 is a potential target for control of VSMC hyperplasia.
The Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gulati Ankur , Ismail Tevfik F. , Jabbour Andrew , Alpendurada Francisco , Guha Kaushik , Ismail Nizar A. , Raza Sadaf , Khwaja Jahanzaib , Brown Tristan D.H. , Morarji Kishen , Liodakis Emmanouil , Roughton Michael , Wage Ricardo , Pakrashi Tapesh C. , Sharma Rakesh , Carpenter John-Paul , Cook Stuart A. , Cowie Martin R. , Assomull Ravi G. , Pennell Dudley J. , Prasad Sanjay K.
Published: August 2013

Background—

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is the gold-standard technique for the assessment of ventricular function. Although left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction are strong predictors of outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), there are limited data regarding the prognostic significance of right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction (RVSD). We investigated whether cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment of RV function has prognostic value in DCM.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively studied 250 consecutive DCM patients with the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance. RVSD, defined by RV ejection fraction ≤45%, was present in 86 (34%) patients. During a median follow-up period of 6.8 years, there were 52 deaths, and 7 patients underwent cardiac transplantation. The primary end point of all-cause mortality or cardiac transplantation was reached by 42 of 86 patients with RVSD and 17 of 164 patients without RVSD (49% versus 10%; hazard ratio, 5.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.35–10.37;
P
<0.001). On multivariable analysis, RVSD remained a significant independent predictor of the primary end point (hazard ratio, 3.90; 95% CI, 2.16–7.04;
P
<0.001), as well as secondary outcomes of cardiovascular mortality or cardiac transplantation (hazard ratio, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.76–6.39;
P
<0.001), and heart failure death, heart failure hospitalization, or cardiac transplantation (hazard ratio, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.32–5.51;
P
=0.006). Assessment of RVSD improved risk stratification for all-cause mortality or cardiac transplantation (net reclassification improvement, 0.31; 95% CI 0.10–0.53;
P
=0.001).

Conclusions—

RVSD is a powerful, independent predictor of transplant-free survival and adverse heart failure outcomes in DCM. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment of RV function is important in the evaluation and risk stratification of DCM patients.
Demographic Dividends Revisited
Authors: Williamson Jeffrey G.
Published: August 2013

This paper revisits demographic dividend issues after almost 2 decades of debate. In 1998, David Bloom and I used a convergence model to estimate the impact of demographic-transition-driven age structure effects and calculated what the literature has come to call the “demographic dividend.” These early estimates seem to be similar to those coming from more recent overlapping generation models, when properly estimated. Research has shown that the demographic dividend is not simply a labor participation rate effect, but also a growth effect. Life-cycle savings, investment deepening, foreign capital flows, and schooling have all been greatly affected by the demographic transition. The paper discusses just how much of these positive growth effects are based on accelerating human capital accumulation induced by demand-side quality–quantity trade-offs versus a co-movement between demographic transitions and public schooling supply-side expansions. Since emigration has been driven in part by demography, it has wasted some of the demographic dividend by brain drain. In addition, within-country rural–urban migrations have also been driven in part by demographic transitions with different spatial timing. Finally, the paper shows how lifetime—not just annual—income inequality has been influenced by demographic transitions.
Foreign Firms and Indigenous Technology Development in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Sjöholm Fredrik , Lundin Nannan
Published: August 2013

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is currently promoting indigenous technology development through support of Chinese firms and, arguably, by restricting operations of foreign multinational firms. This policy seems to overlook the impact of foreign firms on technology development in local firms. For instance, technology might leak out to local firms though spillovers. Moreover, competition from foreign firms might force local firms to engage in technology development. We examine the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on technology development in the PRC. We start by surveying a large and growing literature on FDI and spillovers in the country. Most previous studies find evidence of positive spillovers. We then continue to examine the effect of FDI on competition in the Chinese manufacturing sector and the effect of competition on firms’ research and development (R&D). Our analysis is conducted on a large dataset including all large- and medium-sized Chinese firms over the period 1998–2004. Our results show that FDI increases competition but there are no strong indications of competition affecting investments in R&D.
Inequality of Human Opportunities in Developing Asia
Authors: Son Hyun H.
Published: August 2013

This paper analyzes the equity of opportunity in basic education and infrastructure services in seven developing countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam. The analysis applies a method developed by the World Bank called the Human Opportunity Index, which measures the total contribution of individual socioeconomic and demographic circumstances to inequality of opportunity in accessing basic services. The new and major contribution of the paper, however, is the development of a methodology that quantifies the relative contribution of each circumstance variable to the inequality of opportunity. This contribution is crucial in identifying which underlying inequalities matter most—which can have important policy implications, for instance, in terms of developing better-targeted interventions. Results of the empirical analysis indicate that more needs to be done to improve the distribution of economic benefits. Opportunities to access basic education and infrastructure services in the seven countries vary widely in terms of availability and distribution. The study also finds that inequality of opportunity is driven mainly by per capita household expenditure. This suggests that household poverty plays a crucial role in determining equitable access to basic services.
Internal Structure of Clitics and Cliticization
Authors: Mavrogiorgos Marios
Published: August 2013

The role of the internal structure of clitics in cliticization has been investigated by many researchers up to now. In this study I look into three distinct types of analysis that have been proposed in the literature regarding this role and argue that they do not work for Greek. I further propose that the only role the internal structure of clitics can play in cliticization is via their phi-features, which render them active goals. However, I argue that the internal structure is crucial in another respect, namely in the incorporation of the clitic pronoun into its verbal host. This is because in order to incorporate, the clitic has to contain only a subset of the features contained in the incorporation host. Syntactic cliticization in Greek follows from syntactic agreement between the clitic pronoun and the phase head v*, which leads to movement of the clitic to the left edge of v* and to clitic incorporation into v*. Incorporation yields proclisis.
Complaints about Misbehaviour
Authors: Christodoulidou Maria
Published: August 2013

This paper is concerned with complaints to close friends about the misbehaviour of third non-present parties. In this sequential environment, we seek to identify the basic sequential as well as the distinctive features of complaints in Cypriot Greek ordinary conversations. Thus, this study analyzes the production of complaints as distinct topics with easily identifiable beginnings and endings. As it is shown, a crucial part of complaining is the expression of negative moral stance towards the non-present party's misbehaviour. This is followed by a description of the non-present party's misbehaviour which includes overdetailed and exaggerated reporting of the other's misbehaviour. Added to that, a critical point in the complaints analyzed is the reporting of the oppositional conversation the teller had with her opponent. By quoting this conversation, the teller enables the recipients to see the teller's innocence and the other's wrongdoings in their own words. Also considering that complaints are recipient designed, the recipients' responses are given their own analytical attention since they occur as affiliative interjections within the telling sequence, but also as affiliative evaluations upon complaint completion.
A Source of Variation: A Corpus-Based Study of the Choice between απο and εκ in the NT Greek Gospels
Authors: Eckhoff Hanne M. , de Swart Peter , Thomason Olga
Published: August 2013

Using a quantitative methodology based on extensively annotated corpus data from the PROIEL corpus, we examine the distribution of απο and εκ in the NT Greek Gospels. The original semantic opposition between these two prepositions in terms of an ablative-elative distinction started fading during the historical development of Greek and has been argued to be already much weaker at the time of the New Testament. To explore this we generate a semantic map without semantic pre-analysis on the basis of four parallel language samples. We then use statistical techniques to interpret this map. We ind that there is still a fairly clean separation between εκ and απο largely based on semantic role. However, απο is quite frequently used in elative contexts. A lexical analysis clarifies that the use of απο in this environment amounts to the preposition specialising with certain lexical items, some of them with variable interpretations, as seen in the case of toponyms.
A Semantics for the Particle αν in and outside Conditionals in Classical Greek
Authors: Malamud Sophia A. , Osadcha Iryna , Beck Jana E.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we provide a uni ied semantics for the Classical Greek particle αν in its uses both in and outside of conditional sentences. Speci ically, working within the framework provided by formal semantic treatments of conditionals in Stalnaker (1968); Lewis (1973); Kratzer (1981) and subsequent work, we propose that αν is a universal quanti ier over situations—parts of possible worlds. We also detail the interactions between αν and the tense and mood features in a clause, arguing, for example, that the semantics of αν in combination with a 'fake' past tense morphology (Iatridou 2000), which reflects the presence of an exclusion feature in C, gives rise to a counterfactual implicature. Additionally, we address the issue of the surface distribution of αν in the antecedents of some types of conditionals and the consequents of others and argue that, despite its surface distribution, αν is always merged into the consequent of a conditional but sometimes undergoes displacement such that it appears to be located within the antecedent. Our proposal not only illuminates a complex phenomenon in Classical Greek, but also contributes to the understanding of the morpho-semantics of mood, conditionals, and counterfactuality in natural language.
Sociolinguistic Variation in Athenian Suburban Speech
Authors: Theodoropoulou Irene
Published: August 2013

This article focuses on the description and interpretation of the social meaning of sociolinguistic variation in Athenian suburban speech. A descriptive statistical and a Varbrul analysis of the syntactic variable Verb and presence or absence of Prepositional Phrase (V +/– PP), as it is used by native northern and western suburbanites of Athens, suggests that primarily the area (northern and western suburbia) and, to a lesser extent, the sex of the speakers are statistically significant macro social factors constraining variation. In an effort to tease out the social meaning of the variation, a further analysis of some micro factors within each area, including the group of speakers, the topic, and the stance towards the rivalry between the aforementioned suburban areas, suggests that variation in both areas is interactionally constrained, but in the northern area it tends to be more friendship group-constrained, while in the western area it is more education-constrained. In light of these findings, the sociolinguistic implications of the study translate into the analytical need to account for the relationship between interactional and social factors in the description of variable grammars.
The double object constructions in Archaic Chinese*
Authors: PHUA Chiew Pheng , Pheng PHUA Chiew
Published: August 2013

This article demonstrates that double object constructions in Archaic Chinese display both patterns of direct and indirect object marking (DO+IO) and primary and secondary object marking (PO+SO). We propose two constraints to account for the grammatical distribution of GIVE verbs in the double object construction with PO+SO marking in Archaic Chinese. The first constraint is syntactic and explains why verbs like xiàn ? 'offer' cannot occur in the double object construction with PO+SO marking, unless the semantic role of recipient is available for mapping onto direct object in a monotransitive clause. A second constraint on animacy is proposed to explain the low frequency of two animate, particularly two human NPs, in the postverbal position for verbs like qī ? 'marry'.
Notes et documents
Authors: HUYNH Sabine , HUYNH Sabine
Published: August 2013

Le contact entre les communautés vietnamienne et française durant l'occupation française au Viêt Nam a entraîné l'adaptation phonologique d'un nombre important d'emprunts au français. En vietnamien, ces emprunts se sont vu attribuer des tons. La littérature scientifique sur cette question (ainsi que sur celle du contact linguistique français-vietnamien) est jusqu'ici limitée et se fonde sur un nombre restreint d'emprunts. L'analyse phonologique et statistique de 600 mots vietnamiens d'origine française nous permet d'étudier les mécanismes d'attribution de tons à des syllabes qui en étaient dépourvues. Nous dénombrons l'occurrence de chaque ton, et dégageons quelques-uns des principes régissant l'intégration tonale des emprunts au français.
A typology of readings of Chinese characters in traditional Zhuang manuscripts
Authors: HOLM David , HOLM David
Published: August 2013

The Old Zhuang Script is an instance of a borrowed Chinese character script. Zhuang is the current designation for the northern and central Tai languages spoken in Guangxi in southern China. On the basis of a corpus of traditional texts, as recited by traditional owners, this article presents a typology of Zhuang readings of the standard Chinese characters in these texts. While some categories represent phonetic or semantic readings of Chinese characters, others correspond neither semantically nor phonetically to Chinese graphs, and often involve serial borrowing. The implications of this typology for the study of writing systems, and the Chinese writing system in particular, would seem to be considerable.
Le cycle khmer des douze animaux : histoire d'un contact ancien entre Vietnam et Cambodge
Authors: FERLUS Michel , FERLUS Michel
Published: August 2013

Il y atrois-quarts de siècle, George Cœdès a montré que huit des termes du cycle duodécimal khmer étaient apparentés aux noms usuels des animaux correspondants en muong (dialecte proche du vietnamien). Aujourd'hui, on peut affirmer que les douze termes du cycle entier, plus 'année', sont des emprunts au vietnamien ancien. Pour chaque terme, on compare les formes modemes, les attestations épigraphiques et les reconstructions dans les langues concernées. Des substitutions de noms d'animaux sont mises en évidence. Les plus anciennes attestations de mots vietnamiens se trouvent dans les anciennes inscriptions khmères.
Insights into Naxi and Pumi at the end of the 19 th century: evidence on sound changes from the word lists by Charles-Eudes Bonin*
Authors: MICHAUD Alexis , JACQUES Guillaume , MICHAUD Alexis , JACQUES Guillaume
Published: August 2013

The word lists published in 1903 by C.-E. Bonin for several languages of East Asia are highly rudimentary; the transcription is based on French spelling conventions. These lists nonetheless provide hints about the pronunciation of these languages at the end of the 19 century. We examine two of Bonin's lists in light of more recent and more systematic descriptions of the same languages, looking for evidence about phonetic evolutions. The Naxi word list offers hints about the pronunciation of vowels /i/, /y/ and /o/ and the degree of palatalization of velars before high front vowels. The list for Pumi shows that the initial cluster /st-/ was still present at the time in the dialect recorded.
On two Liphistius species (Araneae: Liphistiidae) from Laos
Authors: SCHWENDINGER PETER J.
Published: August 2013

Two mesothelid trapdoor spider species, Liphistius isan Schwendinger, 1998 and L. laoticus sp. n., are reported from southern Laos, east of the Mekong River. Liphistius isan was previously known only from the type locality in northeastern Thailand, and it is here also reported from a second Thai locality. Liphistius laoticus sp. n. is newly described from males and females. The two species belong to distinct lineages and they both have their closest relatives in northeastern Thailand. Information on biology and relationships of these two species is given.
Evaluation of Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Models with Measurements from Controlled Tracer Releases
Authors: Hegarty Jennifer , Draxler Roland R. , Stein Ariel F. , Brioude Jerome , Mountain Marikate , Eluszkiewicz Janusz , Nehrkorn Thomas , Ngan Fong , Andrews Arlyn
Published: August 2013

Three widely used Lagrangian particle dispersion models (LPDMs)—the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT), Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT), and Flexible Particle (FLEXPART) models—are evaluated with measurements from the controlled tracer-release experiments Cross-Appalachian Tracer Experiment (CAPTEX) and Across North America Tracer Experiment (ANATEX). The LPDMs are run forward in time driven by identical meteorological inputs from the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) and several configurations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and the simulations of tracer concentrations are evaluated against the measurements with a ranking procedure derived from the combination of four statistical parameters. The statistical evaluation reveals that all three LPDMs have comparable skill in simulating the tracer plumes when driven by the same meteorological inputs, indicating that the differences in their formulations play a secondary role. Simulations with HYSPLIT and STILT demonstrate the benefit of using customized hourly WRF fields with 10-km horizontal grid spacing over the use of 3-hourly NARR fields with 32-km horizontal grid spacing. All three LPDMs perform better when the WRF wind fields in the planetary boundary layer are nudged to NARR, with FLEXPART benefitting the most. Case studies indicate that the nudging corrects an overestimate in plume transport speed possibly caused by a positive bias in WRF wind speeds near the surface. All three LPDMs also benefit from the use of time-averaged velocity and convective mass flux fields generated by WRF, but the impact on HYSPLIT and STILT is much greater than on FLEXPART. STILT backward runs perform as well as their forward counterparts, demonstrating this model’s reversibility and its suitability for application to inverse flux estimates.
Forecast Evaluation of an Observing System Simulation Experiment Assimilating Both Radar and Satellite Data
Authors: Jones Thomas A. , Otkin Jason A. , Stensrud David J. , Knopfmeier Kent
Published: August 2013

In the first part of this study, Jones et al. compared the relative skill of assimilating simulated radar reflectivity and radial velocity observations and satellite 6.95-μm brightness temperatures TB and found that both improved analyses of water vapor and cloud hydrometeor variables for a cool-season, high-impact weather event across the central United States. In this study, the authors examine the impact of the observations on 1–3-h forecasts and provide additional analysis of the relationship between simulated satellite and radar data observations to various water vapor and cloud hydrometeor variables. Correlation statistics showed that the radar and satellite observations are sensitive to different variables. Assimilating 6.95-μm TB primarily improved the atmospheric water vapor and frozen cloud hydrometeor variables such as ice and snow. Radar reflectivity proved more effective in both the lower and midtroposphere with the best results observed for rainwater, graupel, and snow. The impacts of assimilating both datasets decrease rapidly as a function of forecast time. By 1 h, the effects of satellite data become small on forecast cloud hydrometeor values, though it remains useful for atmospheric water vapor. The impacts of radar data last somewhat longer, sometimes up to 3 h, but also display a large decrease in effectiveness by 1 h. Generally, assimilating both satellite and radar data simultaneously generates the best analysis and forecast for most cloud hydrometeor variables.
The Three-Dimensional Structure and Evolution of a Tornado Boundary Layer
Authors: Kosiba Karen A. , Wurman Joshua
Published: August 2013

The finescale three-dimensional structure and evolution of the near-surface boundary layer of a tornado (TBL) is mapped for the first time. The multibeam Rapid-Scan Doppler on Wheels (RSDOW) collected data at several vertical levels, as low as 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, and 17 m above ground level (AGL), contemporaneously at 7-s intervals for several minutes in a tornado near Russell, Kansas, on 25 May 2012. Additionally, a mobile mesonet anemometer measured winds at 3.5 m AGL in the core flow region. The radar, anemometer, and ground-based velocity-track display (GBVTD) analyses reveal the peak wind intensity is very near the surface at ~5 m AGL, about 15% higher than at 10 m AGL and 25% higher than at ~40 m AGL. GBVTD analyses resolve a downdraft within the radius of maximum winds (RMW), which decreased in magnitude when varying estimates for debris centrifuging are included. Much of the inflow (from −1 to −7 m s−1) is at or below 10–14 m AGL, much shallower than reported previously. Surface outflow precedes tornado dissipation. Comparisons between large-eddy simulation (LES) predictions of the corner flow swirl ratio Sc and observed tornado intensity changes are consistent.
Global Ethics in the Thought of Laozi: Constructing China’s Soft Power
Authors: Tianyang Song
Published: August 2013

The thought of Laozi is of paramount importance in Chinese traditional culture. It is significant for us to discover some meaningful factors in Laozi’s ideological systems in order to expand and strengthen China’s soft power. Coincidently, there exists something in common between the thought of Laozi and ethics in Western political philosophy. The comparison of these ethical views of different value systems would help in better understanding the advantages of Chinese traditional culture in the process of China’s soft power construction. This essay tries to summarise some common factors between the thought of Laozi and Western global ethics that can contribute to the construction of China’s soft power. This could in turn offer an approach to establishing a ‘Chinese school’ in international political theories as well as contribute to global ethics architecture. This essay has been divided into three sections. The first discusses global ethics in Western political philosophy while the second investigates global ethics in Laozi’s ideological system and then makes a contrast between Laozi’s global ethics and those in Western political philosophy. In the final section, some fundamental principles in China’s soft power construction will be explored.
The Diagnostic Yield of Pediatric Polysomnography Based on the Professional Background of Referring Physicians
Authors: Khatwa Umakanth , Ramgopal Sriram , Singh Kanwaljit , Loddenkemper Tobias , Zarowski Marcin , Kothare Sanjeev V.
Published: August 2013

Introduction. Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard in diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing but is labor intensive and expensive. We assessed PSG outcomes based on physician specialty and whether prior referral to sleep clinics reduces costs for children with sleep problems. Methods. Retrospective analysis of PSGs was performed by demographics, physician specialization, PSG indication, and results. Average costs of evaluating PSGs ordered by primary care physicians (PCPs) versus initial referral to sleep specialists were compared. Results. A total of 493 PSGs were performed between June 2010 and December 2010. Most referrals came from sleep physicians (31%), otolaryngologists (24%), and PCPs (18%). Forty-four percent PSGs ordered by PCPs were normal versus 22% by sleep physicians (odds ratio = 2.8, P < .05). Average cost of PSGs ordered by PCPs was $3053.54/patient versus $917.85/patient for sleep specialist referral. Conclusion. PSGs ordered by PCPs were more likely to be normal than PSGs by sleep physicians. Sleep clinic assessment before PSGs may assist in appropriate service utilization, improve delivery of care, and reduce health care costs by using these tests appropriately.
Does Trainee Involvement Affect Anticipatory Guidance in Well-Child Care?
Authors: Sgrignoli Nicholas R. , Lehman Erik B. , Sekhar Deepa L.
Published: August 2013

Background. Studies demonstrate gaps in anticipatory guidance during well-child visits, but none consider academic teaching hospitals where physician trainees also provide counseling. We prospectively assessed parental perception of anticipatory guidance at the outpatient clinic of an academic teaching hospital. Methods. Parents of patients newborn to <60 months old completed questionnaires regarding providers seen and anticipatory guidance preferences. Results. Of 204 parents, 40% saw the child’s primary attending alone. There was no association between providers seen and the number of topics covered. Seeing the child’s primary attending alone increased the odds that parents’ priority topics were covered compared with another attending (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.11-0.90) or the addition of a resident (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.16-0.77) or medical student (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.12-0.90). Conclusions. Priority anticipatory guidance is covered only one third as often when the well-child visit is not conducted by the primary attending. When involving trainees, continuity of care and parental concerns must be emphasized.
A Comparison of Item Parameter Standard Error Estimation Procedures for Unidimensional and Multidimensional Item Response Theory Modeling
Authors: Paek Insu , Cai Li
Published: August 2013

The present study was motivated by the recognition that standard errors ( SEs) of item response theory (IRT) model parameters are often of immediate interest to practitioners and that there is currently a lack of comparative research on different SE (or error variance–covariance matrix) estimation procedures. The present study investigated item parameter SEs based on three error variance–covariance matrix estimation procedures for unidimensional and multidimensional IRT models: Fisher information, empirical cross-product, and supplemented expectation maximization. This study centers on the direct comparisons of SEs from different procedures and complements a recent study by Tian, Cai, Thissen, and Xin by providing insights and suggestions on the nature of the differences and similarities as well as on practical matters such as the computational cost. The simulation results show that all three procedures produced similar results with respect to bias in the SE estimates for most conditions. When the number of items is large and sample size is small, empirical cross-product, which was the most computationally efficient procedure, appeared to be affected most, producing slight upward bias.
Do natural resources matter for interstate and intrastate armed conflict?
Authors: Koubi Vally , Spilker Gabriele , Böhmelt Tobias , Bernauer Thomas
Published: August 2013

This article reviews the existing theoretical arguments and empirical findings linking renewable and non-renewable natural resources to the onset, intensity, and duration of intrastate as well as interstate armed conflict. Renewable resources are supposedly connected to conflict via scarcity, while non-renewable resources are hypothesized to lead to conflict via resource abundance. Based upon our analysis of these two streams in the literature, it turns out that the empirical support for the resource scarcity argument is rather weak. However, the authors obtain some evidence that resource abundance is likely to be associated with conflict. The article concludes that further research should generate improved data on low-intensity forms of conflict as well as resource scarcity and abundance at subnational and international levels, and use more homogenous empirical designs to analyze these data. Such analyses should pay particular attention to interactive effects and endogeneity issues in the resource–conflict relationship.