bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy and Memory of Tumor-Specific CD8 T Cells by Ex Vivo PI3K-δ Inhibition
Authors: Abu Eid Rasha , Ahmad Shamim , Lin Yuan , Webb Mason , Berrong Zuzana , Shrimali Rajeev , Kumai Takumi , Ananth Sudha , Rodriguez Paulo C. , Celis Esteban , Janik John , Mkrtichyan Mikayel , Khleif Samir N.
Published: June 2017

Inhibition of specific Akt isoforms in CD8+ T cells promotes favored differentiation into memory versus effector cells, the former of which are superior in mediating antitumor immunity. In this study, we investigated the role of upstream PI3K isoforms in CD8+ T-cell differentiation and assessed the potential use of PI3K isoform–specific inhibitors to favorably condition CD8+ T cells for adoptive cell therapy. The phenotype and proliferative ability of tumor antigen–specific CD8+ T cells was assessed in the presence of PI3K-α, -β, or -δ inhibitors. Inhibition of PI3K-δ, but not PI3K-α or PI3K-β, delayed terminal differentiation of CD8+ T cells and maintained the memory phenotype, thus enhancing their proliferative ability and survival while maintaining their cytokine and granzyme B production ability. This effect was preserved in vivo after ex vivo PI3K-δ inhibition in CD8+ T cells destined for adoptive transfer, enhancing their survival and also the antitumor therapeutic activity of a tumor-specific peptide vaccine. Our results outline a mechanism by which inhibitions of a single PI3K isoform can enhance the proliferative potential, function, and survival of CD8+ T cells, with potential clinical implications for adoptive cell transfer and vaccine-based immunotherapies. Cancer Res; 77(15); 4135–45. ©2017 AACR.
Cancer and Central Nervous System Tumor Surveillance in Pediatric Neurofibromatosis 1
Authors: Evans D. Gareth R. , Salvador Hector , Chang Vivian Y. , Erez Ayelet , Voss Stephan D. , Schneider Kami Wolfe , Scott Hamish S. , Plon Sharon E. , Tabori Uri
Published: June 2017

Although the neurofibromatoses consist of at least three autosomal dominantly inherited disorders, neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), and schwannomatosis, NF1 represents a multisystem pleiotropic condition very different from the other two. NF1 is a genetic syndrome first manifesting in childhood; affecting multiple organs, childhood development, and neurocognitive status; and presenting the clinician with often complex management decisions that require a multidisciplinary approach. Molecular genetic testing (see article for detailed discussion) is recommended to confirm NF1, particularly in children fulfilling only pigmentary features of the diagnostic criteria. Although cancer risk is not the major issue facing an individual with NF1 during childhood, the condition causes significantly increased malignancy risks compared with the general population. Specifically, NF1 is associated with highly elevated risks of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, rhabdomyosarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor as well as substantial risks of noninvasive pilocytic astrocytoma, particularly optic pathway glioma (OPG), which represent a major management issue. Until 8 years of age, clinical assessment for OPG is advised every 6 to 12 months, but routine MRI assessment is not currently advised in asymptomatic individuals with NF1 and no signs of clinical visual pathway disturbance. Routine surveillance for other malignancies is not recommended, but clinicians and parents should be aware of the small risks (<1%) of certain specific individual malignancies (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma). Tumors do contribute to both morbidity and mortality, especially later in life. A single whole-body MRI should be considered at transition to adulthood to assist in determining approaches to long-term follow-up. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); e46–e53. ©2017 AACR.

See all articles in the online-only CCR Pediatric Oncology Series.
PTEN, DICER1, FH, and Their Associated Tumor Susceptibility Syndromes: Clinical Features, Genetics, and Surveillance Recommendations in Childhood
Authors: Schultz Kris Ann P. , Rednam Surya P. , Kamihara Junne , Doros Leslie , Achatz Maria Isabel , Wasserman Jonathan D. , Diller Lisa R. , Brugières Laurence , Druker Harriet , Schneider Katherine A. , McGee Rose B. , Foulkes William D.
Published: June 2017

PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS), DICER1 syndrome, and hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) syndrome are pleiotropic tumor predisposition syndromes that include benign and malignant neoplasms affecting adults and children. PHTS includes several disorders with shared and distinct clinical features. These are associated with elevated lifetime risk of breast, thyroid, endometrial, colorectal, and renal cancers as well as melanoma. Thyroid cancer represents the predominant cancer risk under age 20 years. DICER1 syndrome includes risk for pleuropulmonary blastoma, cystic nephroma, ovarian sex cord–stromal tumors, and multinodular goiter and thyroid carcinoma as well as brain tumors including pineoblastoma and pituitary blastoma. Individuals with HLRCC may develop multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas, and they have an elevated risk of renal cell carcinoma. For each of these syndromes, a summary of the key syndromic features is provided, the underlying genetic events are discussed, and specific screening is recommended. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); e76–e82. ©2017 AACR.

See all articles in the online-only CCR Pediatric Oncology Series.
Combination Treatment with Orlistat-Containing Nanoparticles and Taxanes Is Synergistic and Enhances Microtubule Stability in Taxane-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Souchek Joshua J. , Davis Amanda L. , Hill Tanner K. , Holmes Megan B. , Qi Bowen , Singh Pankaj K. , Kridel Steven J. , Mohs Aaron M.
Published: June 2017

Taxane-based therapy provides a survival benefit in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, yet the median survival is less than 20 months in this setting due in part to taxane-associated resistance. Innovative strategies are required to overcome chemoresistance for improved patient survival. Here, NanoOrl, a new experimental nanoparticle formulation of the FDA-approved drug, orlistat, was investigated for its cytotoxicity in taxane-resistant prostate cancer utilizing two established taxane-resistant (TxR) cell lines. Orlistat is a weight loss drug that inhibits gastric lipases, but is also a potent inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FASN), which is overexpressed in many types of cancer. NanoOrl was also investigated for its potential to synergize with taxanes in TxR cell lines. Both orlistat and NanoOrl synergistically inhibited cell viability when combined with paclitaxel, docetaxel, and cabazitaxel in PC3-TxR and DU145-TxR cells, yet these combinations were also additive in parental lines. We observed synergistic levels of apoptosis in TxR cells treated with NanoOrl and docetaxel in combination. Mechanistically, the synergy between orlistat and taxanes was independent of effects on the P-glycoprotein multidrug resistance protein, as determined by an efflux activity assay. On the other hand, immunoblot and immunofluorescence staining with an anti-detyrosinated tubulin antibody demonstrated that enhanced microtubule stability was induced by combined NanoOrl and docetaxel treatment in TxR cells. Furthermore, TxR cells exhibited higher lipid synthesis, as demonstrated by 14C-choline incorporation that was abrogated by NanoOrl. These results provide a strong rationale to assess the translational potential of NanoOrl to overcome taxane resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(9); 1819–30. ©2017 AACR.
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Pericardial Bioprosthesis in Chinese Patients with Single or Multiple Valve Replacement in Aortic, Mitral, or Tricuspid Positions
Authors: Guo Huiming , Lu Cong , Huang Huanlei , Xie Bin , Liu Jian , Zheng Shaoyi , Fan Ruixin , Chen Jimei , Zhuang Jian
Published: June 2017

Objectives: To report the safety and efficacy results of a 9- to 15-year follow-up investigation among patients who had received Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (CE-P) bovine pericardial bioprostheses (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) for valve replacement. Methods: This retrospective study investigated freedom from structural valve deterioration (SVD) as well as survival and reoperation among different age and etiology groups in patients who were implanted with a CE-P bioprosthesis at Guangdong General Hospital between 2001 and 2007. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were performed. Results: The mean age of the patients (N = 225) was only 61.2 ± 11.5 years at valve replacement. More than half of the patients (55.1%) had rheumatic heart disease. The survival rates were 86.46, 81.58, and 74.42% at 5 years, 64.39, 66.19, and 55.85% at 10 years, and 48.37, 57.33, and 46.54% at 15 years for the groups with mitral valve replacement (MVR), aortic valve replacement (AVR), and double valve replacement (DVR), respectively. The median time to freedom from SVD was 12.5, 13.2, and 11.2 years, respectively, for patients with MVR, AVR, and DVR. A higher age at valve replacement was a significant risk factor for SVD in all patients (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Good long-term clinical results of CE-P valves have been demonstrated in Chinese patients >60 years.
Measurement of Aortic Cell Fluid-Phase Pinocytosis in vivo by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Anzinger Joshua J. , Jin Xueting , Palmer Clovis S. , Dagur Pradeep , Barthwal Manoj K. , Kruth Howard S.
Published: June 2017

Objective: Fluid-phase pinocytosis is a receptor-independent mechanism of endocytosis that occurs in all mammalian cells and may be a mechanism for the uptake of LDL by macrophages. As there are currently no methods for the measurement of fluid-phase pinocytosis by individual aortic cells in vivo, we sought to identify a suitable method. Methods: ApoE-/- mice were retro-orbitally injected with AngioSPARK fluorescent nanoparticles specifically designed to not interact with cells. After 24 h, mice were sacrificed, and the aortas were isolated and then digested to analyze aortic cell uptake of AngioSPARK by flow cytometry. Results: CD11b-expressing aortic macrophages from mice injected with AngioSPARK showed high levels of fluid-phase pinocytosis compared to aortic cells not expressing CD11b (4,393.7 vs. 408.3 mean fluorescence intensity [MFI], respectively). Conclusion: This new technique allows for the measurement of fluid-phase pinocytosis by aortic cells in vivo, making it possible to examine the cell-signaling molecules and drugs that affect this process. Published by S. Karger AG, Basel
Hope for CKD-MBD Patients: New Diagnostic Approaches for Better Treatment of CKD-MBD
Authors: Hocher Berthold , Pasch Andreas
Published: June 2017

Background: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) patients have a huge morbidity and mortality. Only relatively minor progress in therapeutic strategies has been made in the past decades. This is at least partially due to a lack of predictive diagnostic tools allowing personalized treatment of CKD-MBD patients. Summary: In this review we describe recent progress in the diagnosis of disturbances of calcium and phosphate metabolism in patients with CKD-MBD, measuring biological active nonoxidized parathyroid hormone as well as the overall likelihood of a patient to get calcified. Key Message: There is hope. The new tools have the potential of allowing personalized therapy for the treatment of CKD-MBD and hence improving outcome.
Association between Thyroid Function and Body Mass Index: A 10-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Abdi Hengameh , Kazemian Elham , Gharibzadeh Safoora , Amouzegar Atieh , Mehran Ladan , Tohidi Maryam , Rashvandi Zahra , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: June 2017

Background/Aims: We aimed to evaluate the association between change in thyroid function tests within the euthyroid range and body mass index (BMI) in persons with normal weight at baseline. Methods: This study investigated 1,100 normal-weight euthyroid persons in a population-based cohort study, Tehran Thyroid Study. BMI was calculated and serum concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) and free T4 (FT4) were assayed at baseline and after 10 years of follow-up. We evaluated the relationship between thyroid and obesity based on 2 definitions for outcome: (1) a binary outcome as BMI <25 or ≥25 kg/m2, and (2) a multinomial outcome as normal BMI, overweight, and obese. Results: A total of 569 women and 531 men, aged 36.3 ± 13.5 years, were included. Modified Poisson regression analysis for binary outcome, after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody status, revealed a negative association between delta serum FT4 and follow-up BMI (relative risk 0.55 [95% CI 0.37-0.80]) without any significant association between change in serum TSH and follow-up BMI. However, in multinomial logistic regression analysis, we found no relationship between delta serum FT4 or TSH and follow-up BMI categories, for either overweight or obese vs. normal-weight participants. Conclusions: In normal-weight euthyroid individuals, changes in serum concentrations of FT4, but not TSH, may contribute to change in body weight.
Prevalence of Hyponatremia and Its Associated Morbimortality in Hospitalized Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Gómez-Hoyos Emilia , Cuesta Martín , Del Prado-González Nayade , Matía Pilar , Pérez-Ferre Natalia , De Luis Daniel Antonio , Calle-Pascual Alfonso , Rubio Miguel Ángel , Runkle-De la Vega Isabelle
Published: June 2017

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of hyponatremia (HN) and its associated morbimortality in hospitalized patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Methods: A retrospective study including 222 patients receiving total PN (parenteral nutrition group [PNG]) over a 7-month period in a tertiary hospital and 176 matched to 179 control subjects without PN (control subjects group [CSG]). Demographic data, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), date of HN detection-(serum sodium or SNa <135 mmol/L)-intrahospital mortality, and hospital length-of-stay (LOS) were registered. In the PNG, body mass index (BMI) and SNa before, during, and after PN were recorded. Results: HN was more prevalent in the PNG: 52.8 vs. 35.8% (p = 0.001), and independent of age, gender, or CCI (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.1-2.8], p = 0.006). In patients on PN, sustained HN (75% of all intraindividual SNa <135 mmol/L) was associated with a higher mortality rate independent of age, gender, CCI, or BMI (OR 7.38 [95% CI 1.07-50.8], p = 0.042). The absence of HN in PN patients was associated with a shorter hospital LOS (<30 days) and was independent of other comorbidities (OR 3.89 [95% CI 2.11-7.18], p = 0.001). Conclusions: HN is more prevalent in patients on PN. Sustained HN is associated with a higher intrahospital mortality rate. Absence of HN is associated with a shorter hospital LOS.
Shock Wave Therapy Promotes Cardiomyocyte Autophagy and Survival during Hypoxia
Authors: Du Ling , Shen Tao , Liu Bing , Zhang Yunhe , Zhao Cong , Jia Na , Wang Que , He Qing
Published: June 2017

Background: Autophagy plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. Controversy still exists regarding the effect of autophagy on ischemic/hypoxic myocardium. Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT) is an effective alternative treatment for refractory ischemic heart disease. Whether CSWT can regulate cardiomyocyte autophagy under hypoxic conditions is not clear. We established a myocardial hypoxia model using the H9c2 cell line and performed shock waves (SWs) treatment to evaluate the effect of SW on autophagy. Methods: The H9c2 cells were incubated under hypoxic conditions, and SW treatment was then performed at energies of 0.02, 0.05, or 0.10 mJ/mm2. The cell viability and intracellular ATP level were examined. Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of LC3B, AMPK, mTOR, Beclin-1, Sirt1, and HIF-1α. Autophagic vacuoles were visualized by monodansylcadaverine staining. Results: After the 24-hour hypoxic period, cardiomyocyte viability and ATP levels were decreased and autophagy was significantly increased in H9c2 cells. SW treatment with an energy of 0.05 mJ/mm2 significantly increased the cellular viability, ATP level, LC3B-II/I, and number of autophagic vacuoles. In addition, phosphorylated AMPK and Sirt1 were increased and phosphorylated mTOR and HIF-1α were decreased after SW treatment. Conclusion: SW treatment can potentially promote cardiomyocyte autophagy during hypoxia and protect cardiomyocyte function by regulating the AMPK/mTOR pathway.
Identification of Tisp40 as an Essential Regulator of Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis via TGF-β/Smads Pathway
Authors: Xiao Cheng-cheng , Zhang Jie , Luo Peng-cheng , Qin Cong , Du Yang , Ning Jin-zhuo , Zheng Hai-zhou
Published: June 2017

Background: Tisp40, a transcription factor of the CREB/CREM family, is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and other biological functions, but its role in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is unknown. Methods: In our study, we investigated the effects of Tisp40 on extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the underlying molecular mechanisms in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-stimulated TCMK-1 cells by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence in vitro, and further explored the role of Tisp40 on renal fibrosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) by qPCR, Western blot analysis, hydroxyproline analysis, Masson trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry staining in vivo. Results: The data showed that Tisp40 was upregulated in a model of renal fibrosis induced by I/R injury (IRI). Upon IRI, Tisp40-deficient mice showed attenuated renal fibrosis compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, E-cadherin, fibronectin, and collagen I was suppressed. Tisp40 overexpression aggravated ECM accumulation and EMT in the TGF-β-stimulated TCMK-1 cell line, whereas the opposite occurred in cells treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Tisp40. Importantly, it is changes in the Smad pathway that attenuate renal fibrosis. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Tisp40 plays a critical role in the TGF-β/ Smads pathway involved in this process. Hence, Tisp40 could be a useful therapeutic target in the fight against renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.
Renoprotective Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers in Diabetic Patients with Proteinuria
Authors: Hsu Feng-Yi , Lin Fang-Ju , Ou Huang-Tz , Huang Shih-Hui , Wang Chi-Chuan
Published: June 2017

Background/Aims: Limited evidence exists on the choice of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in diabetic patients with nephropathy. We aim to assess the renal effectiveness and safety of these drugs among diabetic nephropathy patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted with diabetic nephropathy patients who initiated ACEI or ARB monotherapy. The primary outcome was a composite of end stage of renal disease and renal transplantation, and the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. The safety endpoint was hyperkalemia. Results: Three thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine ACEI users and 3,316 ARB users were identified. ARBs seemed to be inferior to ACEIs given their poorer renal outcome (HR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.15-1.50) and higher risk of hyperkalemia (HR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.32). Among the four ACEIs compared, captopril was an inferior treatment choice given its poorer renal outcomes (HR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.05-1.93) and higher mortality rate (HR 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.55). Irbesartan appeared to be a poorer treatment choice among the three ARBs compared, given its inferior renal protective effect (HR 1.35; 95% CI, 1.03-1.78). Conclusions: Our findings suggest ACEIs as a relatively more renoprotective and safer treatment as compared to ARBs. Captopril and irbesartan may be inferior to the other ACEIs and ARBs respectively.
Direct Transport to a Percutaneous Cardiac Intervention Center and Outcomes in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Kragholm Kristian , Malta Hansen Carolina , Dupre Matthew E. , Xian Ying , Strauss Benjamin , Tyson Clark , Monk Lisa , Corbett Claire , Fordyce Christopher B. , Pearson David A. , Fosbøl Emil L. , Jollis James G. , Abella Benjamin S. , McNally Bryan , Granger Christopher B.
Published: June 2017

Background—

Practice guidelines recommend regional systems of care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, whether emergency medical services should bypass nonpercutaneous cardiac intervention (non-PCI) facilities and transport out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients directly to PCI centers despite longer transport time remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

Using the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival with geocoding of arrest location, we identified out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation and evaluated the association between direct transport to a PCI center and outcomes in North Carolina during 2012 to 2014. Destination hospital was classified according to PCI center status (catheterization laboratory immediately accessible 24/7). Inverse probability-weighted logistic regression accounting for age, sex, emergency medical services response time, clustering of county, transport time to nearest PCI center, initial heart rhythm, and prehospital ECG information was performed. Of 1507 patients with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation, 1359 (90.2%) were transported to PCI centers, of whom 873 (57.9%) bypassed the nearest non-PCI hospital and 148 (9.8%) were transported to non-PCI hospitals. Discharge survival was higher among those transported to PCI centers (33.5% versus 14.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 2.08–2.92). Compared with patients taken to non-PCI hospitals, odds of survival were higher for patients taken to the nearest hospital with PCI center status (odds ratio, 3.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.90–4.97) and for patients bypassing closer hospitals to PCI centers (odds ratio, 3.02; 95% confidence interval, 2.01–4.53). Adjusted survival remained significantly better across transport times of 1 to 5, 6 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, and >30 minutes.

Conclusions—

Direct transport to a PCI center is associated with better outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, even when bypassing nearest hospital and regardless of transport time.
Divine Purposiveness and its Implications in Legal Theory: The Interplay of Kalām and Uṣūl al-Fiqh
Authors: Koujah Rami
Published: June 2017

While jurisprudents agree that the Sharīʿa serves to benefit human beings because God is wise and merciful, they disagree as to the nature of the correlation between God’s rulings and these benefits. Does God legislate with the purpose of benefitting consumers of the law? In this essay I investigate the Ashʿarī doctrine on whether God can be said to act purposively and how this doctrine influences legal theory (uṣūl al-fiqh). I will examine Sayf al-Dīn al-Āmidī’s position on this issue in his theological writings and his work on legal theory. By focusing on one particular aspect of legal theory, I will demonstrate how the issue of purposiveness in God’s acts substantively impacts methodologies for the derivation of legal rules. I will then highlight the mechanisms al-Āmidī develops as a means of constructing a theory that maintains consistency and integrity, and compare his view to that of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s (d. 606/1209).
Islamic Norms, Common Law, and Legal Reasoning: Muslim Personal Law and the Economic Consequences of Divorce in India
Authors: Subramanian Narendra
Published: June 2017

Two major judgments of the Indian Supreme Court that awarded Muslim women alimony had very different consequences: Shah Bano (1985) evoked extensive conservative Muslim protest that led to legislation meant to limit alimony among Muslims, while Danial Latifi (2001) faced no overt opposition and was not overturned. These consequences were related to the sources and modes of reasoning used. Shah Bano independently interpreted Qurʾanic verses, suggested that commonly applicable laws may override religious law provisions, and called for uniform family laws. Danial Latifi relied solely on statutes of Indian Muslim law and Islamic norms. It thus followed the Indian state’s usual approach to personal law, which is sensitive to public preference that family life should be regulated according to religious and other cultural norms. However, public opinion provided support to change Muslim law earlier than the 1970s. More extensive changes could be introduced over the next decade in Muslim law based on Islamic norms and Muslim opinion.
Social Science versus Christian Theology, Reconsidered: The Case of British Social Policy Studies
Authors: Allen Chris
Published: June 2017

This paper reconsiders the ‘versus’ relationship between Christian Theology (ct) and social sciences with reference to Social Policy Studies (sps) in Britain. I argue that the organised scepticism of sps towards ct, on the grounds that it is a conservative episteme, is unwarranted. It misrecognises Church Theology as ct writ large and thus demonstrates an oversight towards radical forms of ct with which it might make common cause. I also question radical theologians that reject social sciences on similar grounds, i.e. for lacking a sufficiently revolutionary episteme. Although I am sympathetic to intellectual projects that seek to overcome this ‘versus’ relationship by focusing on the discursive similarities of ct and sps, such projects are precarious. I elaborate praxis rather than discursive similarities as a sounder basis for reconciliation. Much mutual learning takes place at the level of praxis that, if acknowledged, could strengthen the movement for radical social change.
Navigation in the South China Sea: Introductory Remarks
Authors: Cataldi Giuseppe
Published: June 2017

This article presents the author’s introductory remarks presented at the international conference The South China Sea: An International Law Perspective (Brussels, 6 March 2015) during a panel dedicated to questions of navigation. It provides a general overview of the competing claims in the South China Sea and highlights relevant rules and principles of the law of the sea that are applicable to the region.
The Narrative Structure of the Finnsburh Episode in Beowulf
Authors: Benskin Michael
Published: June 2017

The Finnsburh Episode inBeowulfis a story within a story, the re-enactment of a lay sung by Hroðgar’s minstrel in Heorot. It concerns events seemingly of the mid-fifth century, beyond living memory for the imagined listeners. For them, the story could have been kept alive only as oral tradition, and must have been so for centuries by the timeBeowulfwas composed. Accordingly, scholars have been apt to treat the Episode as a report of a lay or lays, and in some respects archaic. The view that it is summary or otherwise defective has been encouraged by its textual difficulties, and until recently its internal structure has been little regarded by mainstream commentaries. The present analysis shows the Episode to be internally coherent, an intricately wrought composition in Biblical style; its form and implicit values are those of a culture which can reflect on Finnsburh and Heorot, but is not condemned to relive their experience. The Episode is theBeowulf-poet’s making throughout, and here (as not for the first time) it is held to be integral to the form and meaning ofBeowulf.
Old Frisian skalk: A ‘Servant’ or a ‘Rogue’?
Authors: Giliberto Concetta
Published: June 2017

The Old Frisian wordscalc, scalch, schalcis usually used in the sense of ‘servant, slave’. However, the word evidences a pejoration in meaning, being also attested in the Frisian written tradition in the sense of ‘ill-mannered person, villain, a bad guy’. The investigation of the occurrences ofskalk–along with a comparison of its Germanic cognates–will allow us to draw a picture of the semantic development of this word from medieval times to the Modern stage of the Frisian language. In the author’s opinion, the negative connotation ofskalkas an offensive epithet is the final result of a range of different causes, whose origin should be searched both in Frisian-Scandinavian contacts during the Viking Age and in the influence exerted by neighbouring Middle Low German and Middle Dutch.
Historical) Drift in Frisian and German Translations of the Bible (Nwfries. iersykje ‘Ähren lesen’, rispje ‘ernten’ und Wortfeldvarianten: eine (historische) Wanderung in friesischen und germanischen Bibelübersetzungen
Authors: de Grauwe Luc
Published: June 2017

The first complete Bible translations in Westerlauwers Frisian only date from 1943 (“Wumkes”) and 1978 (“Nije Fryske Bibeloersetting”). Both of them employ specifically Frisian vocabulary, such as in the semantic field of gathering and harvesting crops. The Frisian incorporating verb iersiikje/iersykje corresponds to Dutch aren lezen and German Ähren lesen (literally ‘to gather ears’), whereas the notion of ‘harvesting’ is usually represented by rispje. The latter descends from an Old Germanic strong verb with initial hr- that meant ‘to tear’, which restricted its meaning to ‘reap’ and is continued in OE hrespan ‘to reap’ and Early OHG hrespen ‘to pluck, pinch’. The resulting MoWF weak verb rispje is at the same time the product of semantic widening. Its popularity is also shown by its usage in a number of formulae in which it competes with sichtsje (denominal to sichte ‘small scythe’), rarely with meane ‘to mow’. This must have been accompanied for semantic reasons by “paronymic attraction” between original hr- and r-forms. The latter are found in OE rípan/MoE reap, as well as in the weak verb OE rýpan ‘to pillage’ = Gothic raupjan and German (aus)raufen ‘to tear out’.

Die ersten Vollbibel-Übersetzungen ins Westfriesische (Westerlauwersk Frysk) datieren erst von 1943 (“Wumkes”) und 1978 (“Nije Fryske Bibeloersetting”). Beiden ist gemeinsam, dass sie dem Friesischen ganz eigene Wörter verwenden, wie etwa im Wortfeld des Lesens und Erntens von Feldfrüchten. So entspricht dem ndl. aren lezen bzw. dem dt. Ähren lesen das Inkorporationskompositum iersiikje/iersykje, während der Begriff ‘ernten’ in der Regel von rispje vertreten wird. Letzteres erweist sich als Nachkomme eines noch in nordaltenglisch hrespan ‘ernten’ und frühahd. dito ‘(aus)rupfen’ vorliegenden, altwgm. starken, mit hr- anlautenden Verbs mit Grundbedeutung ‘reißen’, die sich zu ‘ernten’ verengt hat. Im Neuwestfriesischen ist das daraus resultierende schwache rispje auch Produkt einer Bedeutungsausweitung. Auf seine Beliebtheit weist auch seine Verwendung in manchen Formeln hin, in denen es konkurriert mit sichtsje (denominal zu sichte ‘kleine Sense’), nur selten mit meane ‘mähen’. Damit muss eine durch die semantische Nähe bedingte “paronymische Attraktion” zwischen ursprünglichen hr- und r-Formen einhergegangen sein. Letztere liegen vor in ae. rípan / ne. reap ‘ernten’, sowie im schwachen Verb ae. rýpan ‘plündern’ = gotisch raupjan und dt. (aus)raufen ‘ausreißen’.

This article is in German.
Aye–ay: An Anglo-Frisian Parallel
Authors: Howe Stephen
Published: June 2017

The most widespread form for neutral “yes” in the Survey of English Dialects is not yea or yes, but aye. It is used not only in the North and Midlands, but also in areas of the South of England. It is a feature of Scottish English, and is familiar from government in many English-speaking countries. We also find the aye-like ayuh in Northeast America. “Aye” appears suddenly about 1575 and is “exceedingly common” around 1600; it is initially written I and its origin, like yes, is uncertain. Ay is also found in Old Frisian, as well as Sater Frisian today (öäi, a'äi etc.). This study reviews a number of proposed etymologies, examining which can account for the occurrence or development of ay(e) in both languages. Based on a wider study of change in forms of “yes” and “no” in English, the author argues that aye–ay is a parallel development of interjection + particle. The study also suggests functional and phonological overlap with the pronominal echo I in English, but not Frisian, with the vocalic form of the pronoun and diphthongisation in the “Great Vowel Shift”, accounting for the popularity and spelling I of “aye” around 1600.
Early Changes of Dental Fricatives: English and Frisian Compared
Authors: Laker Stephen
Published: June 2017

Dental fricatives [θ ð] develop along similar lines in English and Frisian throughout most of the Middle Ages. The consonants were retained in about equal measure, but alterations occurred when next to other consonants. A way of explaining the changes in both languages is by invoking complexity of articulation, a notion that finds empirical support. The parallel developments of English and Frisian undermine the idea that Old English evolved differently from other Old Germanic languages during its earliest stages. However, from the late fourteenth century, Frisian took on a different trajectory of change due to new social circumstances connected with increased language contact and bilingualism, especially with Dutch and Low German.
The Freeska Landriucht (1074R): A Book from Oldersum Castle Library Retrieved
Authors: Popkema Anne Tjerk
Published: June 2017

Tresoar 1074R, which is a copy of the only Frisian incunabulum that is usually referred to as Freeska Landriucht, contains several handwritten notes from the 16th century. The notes, which are in Latin as well as in the vernacular, are written on a misprinted bifolium preceding the book’s main text. The notes make abundantly clear that in the 16th century the incunabulum was part of the library of the East Frisian castle at Oldersum; what is more, it is the sole recorded survivor of this large book collection, since the library seems to have been completely scattered and destroyed in the decades following the death, in early 1589, of the last male descendant of the Oldersum chieftain dynasty: Hero ii von Oldersum. Caspar Möller, a legal officer in Oldersum, handed it out to Henricus Reiningius of Coevorden, a notary public, on 20 April 1589, which is the very day after a (surviving) inventory of the Oldersum book collection was made. Although the Freeska Landriucht is not mentioned specifically in the inventory, reference to it may still have been made by Johan van Westerwolt (who inventoried the library) with the words: Ein olt geschrieben Landrecht.
The Anglo-Frisian Relationship as Contact and Linkage
Authors: Salmons Joseph
Published: June 2017

This note places Rolf Bremmer’s views on a possible ‘Anglo-Frisian’ branch of West Germanic in the context of theoretical discussions about subgrouping, and in this way provides further underpinning for Bremmer’s position. The key test for subgrouping as defined since Leskien 1876 has been synapomorphy, namely shared innovations unlikely to have arisen independently, and many features presented as support for an Anglo-Frisian branch do not conform to that. Bremmer’s views on the role of longstanding contact between English and Frisian and related varieties now finds support in the notion of ‘linkages’. The author concludes, with Bremmer, that the similarities between English and Frisian reflect a mixture of inheritance plus complex and ongoing contacts, but does not necessarily reflect a sub- branch of West Germanic.
The Comparative Method, Internal Reconstruction, Areal Norms and the West Germanic Third Person Pronoun
Authors: Stiles Patrick
Published: June 2017

The paradigms of the third person anaphoric pronoun in West Germanic show a split between Ingvæonic and non-Ingvæonic languages. The Ingvæonic dialects have numerous forms with initial h-, in contrast to non-Ingvæonic, where—corresponding to h-—vocalic or s-onsets are found. This divergence makes it difficult to envisage what the Proto-West Germanic set of forms looked like. The aim is to explore whether it is possible to reconstruct a common West Germanic paradigm from which both types developed. The answer turns out to be ‘yes’, thanks to the crucial evidence of Frisian. The article also rejects the view that Germanic attests the alleged Indo-European pronominal stem *syo-/*tyo-.
Lawmaking in China: Understanding Substantive and Procedural Changes
Authors: van Rooij Benjamin , van den Dool Annemieke
Published: June 2017

This paper provides a sociolegal overview of law and lawmaking in China. It combines existing studies with original data published by the National People’s Congress as well as new case studies of recent lawmaking processes. The paper focuses its analysis on the development of regulatory laws that seek to prevent and control risk, including environmental, food safety, land, labor, and occupational health laws. The paper finds large changes in the substance of legislation over the past two decades. Amid generally massive growth in lawmaking at all levels, national legislation has become more ambitious, with a greater regulatory burden. It has become more specific, allowing for less discretion. And it has grown stronger teeth, with greater sanctions against violations. These regulatory laws allow for more public participation, albeit within a tightly confined authoritarian space. Such substantive changes come as the process of lawmaking has evolved. While central leadership retains strong control over lawmaking, the process has become more transparent, allowing more actors to exert influence. Successful legislative entrepreneurs are able to shape lawmaking by timing their advocacy at the right stage of the legislative process and, if possible, linking it to ongoing crises.
Zingiber arunachalensis (Zingiberaceae): a new species from northeastern India
Authors: JOE ALFRED , JAYAKRISHNAN THACHAT , HAREESH VADAKKOOT SANKARAN , SABU MAMIYIL
Published: June 2017

In 2015, during a floristic expedition in northeastern India, a population of an unusual Zingiber Miller (1754: 525) was found near Durga Mandir, between Bomdilla and Balukpong, in West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. At a first glance the species clearly belongs to section Cryptanthium Horaninow (1862: 27) in having a procumbent peduncle. Detailed studies revealed that it does not match any of the known species of Indian Zingiber, hence it is described here as new. Plants of this population are morphologically similar to Z. bipinianum Roy et al. (2015: 298) and Z. mizoramensis Kumar et al. (2015: 81), but detailed studies of the types and protologues confirm the novelty of this species. We also consulted relevant literature discussing Indian Zingiberaceae, which further confirms that this is a new species (e.g. Bai et al. 2015, Baker 1892, Leong-Škorničková et al. 2015, Kishor & Leong-Škorničková 2013, Kumar et al. 2013, 2015, Mood & Theilade 2002, Roscoe 1828, Sabu 2003, 2006, Sabu et al. 2009, 2013b, Talukdar et al. 2015, Thongam & Konsam 2014, Thongam et al. 2013, Triboun et al. 2014, Tripathi & Singh 2006, Wu & Larsen 2000).
Review of Australian genera Tessaromma Newman and Phlyctaenodes Newman with description of a new genus and species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Phlyctaenodini)
Authors: JIN MENGJIE , ŚLIPIŃSKI ADAM , KEYZER ROGER DE , PANG HONG
Published: June 2017

Two Australian genera, Tessaromma Newman and Phlyctaenodes Newman of the tribe Phlyctaenodini Lacordaire, 1868 (=Tessarommatini Lacordaire, 1868) syn. nov. are revised. All known species are redescribed and illustrated. Keys to the genera of Australian Phlyctaenodini and species of Tessaromma Newman and Phlyctaenodes are provided. One new genus Escalonia gen. nov. (type species: Tessaromma loxleyae McKeown, 1942) and three new species Phlyctaenodes queenslandicus sp. nov., Escalonia carolinae sp. nov. and Escalonia surprise sp. nov. are described. Tessaromma truncatispina McKeown, 1940 is regarded as a junior synonym of Tessaromma sordida McKeown, 1940; Tessaromma nigroapicale Aurivillius, 1917 is synonymized with Tessaromma nanum Blackburn, 1899; and Tessaromma sericans (Erichson, 1842) is synonymized with Tessaromma triste (Hope, 1841). Tessaromma setosa McKeown, 1942 is moved to Ectinope Pascoe, and Zoedia intricata Gressitt, 1959 is moved to Escalonia gen. nov.
Year-Long Vertical Velocity Statistics Derived from Doppler Lidar Data for the Continental Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Berg Larry K. , Newsom Rob K. , Turner David D.
Published: June 2017

One year of coherent Doppler lidar data collected at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site in Oklahoma was analyzed to provide profiles of vertical velocity variance, skewness, and kurtosis for cases of cloud-free convective boundary layers. The variance was normalized by the Deardorff convective velocity scale, which was successful when the boundary layer depth was stationary but failed in situations in which the layer was changing rapidly. In this study, the data are sorted according to time of day, season, wind direction, surface shear stress, degree of instability, and wind shear across the boundary layer top. The normalized variance was found to have its peak value near a normalized height of 0.25. The magnitude of the variance changes with season, shear stress, degree of instability, and wind shear across the boundary layer top. The skewness was largest in the top half of the boundary layer (with the exception of wintertime conditions). The skewness was also found to be a function of the season, shear stress, and wind shear across the boundary layer top. Like skewness, the vertical profile of kurtosis followed a consistent pattern, with peak values near the boundary layer top. The normalized altitude of the peak values of kurtosis was found to be higher when there was a large amount of wind shear at the boundary layer top.
Combined Space and Ground Radars for Improving Quantitative Precipitation Estimations in the Eastern Downstream Region of the Tibetan Plateau. Part I: Variability in the Vertical Structure of Precipitation in ChuanYu Analyzed from Long-Term Spaceborne Observations by TRMM PR
Authors: Zhong Lingzhi , Yang Rongfang , Chen Lin , Wen Yixin , Li Ruiyi , Tang Guoqiang , Hong Yang
Published: June 2017

This study presents a statistical analysis of the variability of the vertical structure of precipitation in the eastern downstream region of the Tibetan Plateau as measured by the Precipitation Radar (PR) on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. Data were analyzed over an 11-yr time span (January 2004–December 2014). The results show the seasonal and spatial variability of the storm height, freezing level, and bright band for different types of precipitation as well as the characteristics of intensity-related and type-related vertical profiles of reflectivity (VPR). Major findings were as follows: About 90% of the brightband peak reflectivity of stratiform precipitation was less than 32 dBZ, and 40% of the maximum reflectivity of convective precipitation exceeded 35 dBZ. The intensity of surface rainfall rates also depended on the shapes of VPRs. For stratiform precipitation, ice–snow aggregation was faster during moderate and heavy rainfall than it was in light rainfall. Since both the moisture and temperature are lower in winter, the transformation efficiency of hydrometeors becomes slower. Typical Ku-band representative climatological VPRs (CPRs) for stratiform precipitation have been created on the basis of the integration of normalized VPR shape for the given area and the rainfall intensity. All of the findings indicate that the developed CPRs can be used to improve surface precipitation estimates in regions with complex terrain where the ground-based radar net has limited visibility at low levels.
Precipitation, Temperature, and Teleconnection Signals across the Combined North American, Monsoon Asia, and Old World Drought Atlases
Authors: Baek Seung H. , Smerdon Jason E. , Coats Sloan , Williams A. Park , Cook Benjamin I. , Cook Edward R. , Seager Richard
Published: June 2017

The tree-ring-based North American Drought Atlas (NADA), Monsoon Asia Drought Atlas (MADA), and Old World Drought Atlas (OWDA) collectively yield a near-hemispheric gridded reconstruction of hydroclimate variability over the last millennium. To test the robustness of the large-scale representation of hydroclimate variability across the drought atlases, the joint expression of seasonal climate variability and teleconnections in the NADA, MADA, and OWDA are compared against two global, observation-based PDSI products. Predominantly positive (negative) correlations are determined between seasonal precipitation (surface air temperature) and collocated tree-ring-based PDSI, with average Pearson’s correlation coefficients increasing in magnitude from boreal winter to summer. For precipitation, these correlations tend to be stronger in the boreal winter and summer when calculated for the observed PDSI record, while remaining similar for temperature. Notwithstanding these differences, the drought atlases robustly express teleconnection patterns associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), and the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO). These expressions exist in the drought atlas estimates of boreal summer PDSI despite the fact that these modes of climate variability are dominant in boreal winter, with the exception of the AMO. ENSO and NAO teleconnection patterns in the drought atlases are particularly consistent with their well-known dominant expressions in boreal winter and over the OWDA domain, respectively. Collectively, the findings herein confirm that the joint Northern Hemisphere drought atlases robustly reflect large-scale patterns of hydroclimate variability on seasonal to multidecadal time scales over the twentieth century and are likely to provide similarly robust estimates of hydroclimate variability prior to the existence of widespread instrumental data.
Improving LADCP Velocity with External Heading, Pitch, and Roll
Authors: Thurnherr A. M. , Goszczko I. , Bahr F.
Published: June 2017

Data collected with acoustic Doppler current profilers installed on CTD rosettes and lowered through the water column [lowered ADCP (LADCP) systems] are routinely used to derive full-depth profiles of ocean velocity. In addition to the uncertainties arising from random noise in the along-beam velocity measurements, LADCP-derived velocities are commonly contaminated by bias errors due to imperfectly measured instrument attitude (heading, pitch, and roll). Of particular concern are the heading measurements, because it is not usually feasible to calibrate the internal ADCP compasses with the instruments installed on a CTD rosette, away from the magnetic disturbances of the ship. Heading data from dual-headed LADCP systems, which consist of upward- and downward-pointing ADCPs installed on the same rosette, commonly indicate heading-dependent compass errors with amplitudes exceeding 10°. In an attempt to reduce LADCP velocity errors, several dozen profiles of simultaneous LADCP and magnetometer/accelerometer data were collected in the Gulf of Mexico. Agreement between the LADCP profiles and simultaneous shipboard velocity measurements improves significantly when the former are processed with external attitude measurements. Another set of LADCP profiles with external attitude data was collected in a region of the Arctic Ocean where the horizontal geomagnetic field is too weak for the ADCP compasses to work reliably. Good agreement between shipboard velocity measurements and Arctic LADCP profiles collected at magnetic dip angles exceeding and processed with external attitude measurements indicate that high-quality velocity profiles can be obtained close to the magnetic poles.