bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Impaired Hepatic Vitamin K1 Metabolism in Patients Treated with N-Methyl-Thiotetrazole Cephalosporins
Authors: Bechtold H , Andrassy K , Jähnchen E , Koderisch J , Koderisch H , Weilemann L S , Sonntag H-G , Ritz E
Published: July 2018

In 8 patients on no oral intake and with parenteral alimentation, administration of cephalosporins with N-methyl-thiotetrazole side chain (moxalactam, cefamandole), was associated with prolongation of prothrombin time, appearance in the circulation of descarboxy-prothrombin (counter immunoelectrophoresis and echis carinatus assay) and diminution of protein C. Acute administration of 10 mg vitamin Ki was followed by the transient appearance of vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide, indicating an impaired hepatocellular regeneration of vitamin K1 from the epoxide. Impaired hepatic vitamin K1 metabolism, tentatively ascribed to the N-methyl-thiotetrazole group, is one (but possibly not the only) cause of bleeding complications and depression of vitamin K1dependent procoagulants in patients treated with the new class of cephalosporins.
Immunocytochemical Localization of Albumin and Factor XIII in Thin Cryo Sections of Human Blood Platelets
Authors: Sixma Jan J , van den Berg Agnes , Schiphorst Marion , Geuze Hans J , McDonagh Jan
Published: July 2018

Albumin and factor XIIIa2 were localized in human blood platelets by immunofluorescence and protein A-colloidal gold immuno-electron microscopy using thin and ultrathin cryosections of mildly fixed human blood platelets. Albumin was found in α-granules, co-distributing with β-thromboglobulin in double label experiments. In platelets directly fixed in plasma, without previous washing, albumin was also localized on the plasma membrane and in the surface connecting system. Factor XIIIa2 was localized diffusely through the entire cytoplasmic matrix.
Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins Are Responsible for Thrombin Generation Induced by Lipid Peroxides
Authors: Barrowcliffe T W , Gray E , Kerry P J , Gutteridge J M C
Published: July 2018

Previous studies have shown that lipid peroxides promote thrombin generation in platelet-poor plasma. In the present study, it has been shown that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, especially chylomicra of dietary origin, are responsible for this procoagulant activity. The generation of thrombin by lipid peroxides is also enhanced by their inhibitory action on antithrombin III. These results suggest a possible new relationship between dietary fat, lipid peroxidation and thrombus formation.
Severe Inherited “Homozygous” Protein C Deficiency in a Newborn Infant
Authors: Estellés A , Garcia-Plaza I , Dasí A , Aznar J , Duart M , Sanz G , Pérez-Requejo J L , España F , Jimenez C , Abeledo G
Published: July 2018

A relapsing clinical syndrome of skin lesions and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) that showed remission with the infusion of fresh frozen plasma is described in a newborn infant with homozygous deficiency of protein C antigen.

This patient presented since birth a recurrent clinical picture of DIC and ecchymotic skin lesions that resembled typical ecchymosis except for the fact that they showed immediate improvement with the administration of fresh frozen plasma. Using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method, the determination of protein C antigen levels in the patient, without ingestion of coumarin drugs, showed very low values (<1%).

No other deficiencies in the vitamin-K-dependent factors or in anti thrombin III, antiplasmin, and plasminogen were found. Seven relatives of the infant had heterozygous deficiency in protein C antigen (values between 40-55%), without clinical history of venous thrombosis. The pedigree analysis of this family suggests an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance for the clinical phenotype, although an autosomal dominant pattern has been postulated until now in other reported families.

We conclude that our patient has a homozygous deficiency in protein C and this homozygous state may be compatible with survival beyond the neonatal period.
Heparin Cofactor II Determination - Levels in Normals and Patients with Hereditary Antithrombin III Deficiency and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Tran Tri H , Duckert F
Published: July 2018

A technique is described to completely remove antithrombin III (AT) from small amounts of human plasma by immunoaffinity chromatography on antibodies against human AT linked to Sepharose 4B. The level of heparin cofactor II (HCII) was not affected by the immunoadsorption. HCII activity was then determined by measuring the rate of human thrombin inhibition by 3 ways: a) activation with heparin in AT-free plasma, b) activation with dermatan sulfate in normal plasma and c) activation with dermatan sulfate in AT-free plasma. The normal range of HCII varied between 0.7-1.5 U/ml, as compared to a normal plasma pool containing by definition 1 U/ml. Highly significant correlations between assays as obtained from 40 normal plasmas proved the suitability of the 3 assays, although the progressive thrombin inhibition by AT, when not removed, contributed about one fifth to the thrombin inhibition by HCII in the presence of dermatan sulfate. There were also highly significant correlations between HCII activity and antigen, as determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis using specific antibodies against HCII.

Levels of HCII and AT were examined in 7 patients with hereditary AT deficiency and 7 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In hereditary AT deficiency, whereas the AT activity was reduced by half, levels of HCII activity and antigen were in the normal range. In DIC, a parallel decrease of HCII and AT suggests that HCII may participate in the inhibition of thrombin released during DIC and thus provides an inhibitor reserve, once the AT level becomes subnormally low.
The Inhibitory Effect of Heparin and Related Glycosaminoglycans on Neutrophil Chemotaxis
Authors: Matzner Yaacov , Marx Gerard , Drexler Ruth , Eldor Amiram
Published: July 2018

Clinical observations have shown that heparin has antiinflammatory activities. The effect of heparin on neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated in vitro in the Boyden Chamber. This method enabled differentiation between the direct effects of heparin on neutrophil migration and locomotion, and its effects on chemotactic factors. Heparin inhibited both the random migration and directed locomotion of human neutrophils toward zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) and F-met-leu-phe (FMLP). Inhibition was found to be dependent on the concentrations of the heparin and of the chemotactic factors. No specific binding of heparin to the neutrophils could be demonstrated, and heparin’s inhibitory effects were eliminated by simple washing of the cells. When added directly to the chamber containing chemotactic factor, heparin inhibited the chemotactic activity of ZAS but not that of FMLP, suggesting a direct inhibitory effect against C5a, the principal chemotactic factor in ZAS.

Experiments performed with low-molecular-weight heparin, N-desulfated heparin, dextran sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and dextran indicated that the inhibitory effects of heparin on neutrophil chemotaxis are not related to its anticoagulant activity, but probably depend on the degree of sulfation of the heparin molecule.
The Diagnosis of Lupus Anticoagulants by the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time - The Central Role of Phosphatidyl Serine
Authors: Kelsey P R , Stevenson K J , Poller L
Published: July 2018

Liposomes of pure phospholipids were used in a modified APTT test system and the role of phosphatidyl serine (PS) in determining the sensitivity of the test system to the presence of lupus anticoagulants was assessed. Six consecutive patients with lupus anticoagulants and seven haemophiliacs with anticoagulants directed at specific coagulation factors, were studied. Increasing the concentration of phospholipid in the test system markedly reduced the sensitivity to lupus anticoagulants but had marginal effect on the specific factor inhibitors. The same effect was achieved when the content of PS alone was increased in a vehicle liposome of constant composition.

The results suggest that the lupus anticoagulants can best be detected by a screening method using an APTT test with a reagent of low PS content. The use of a reagent rich in PS will largely abolish the lupus anticoagulant’s effect on the APTT. An approach using the two different types of reagent may facilitate differentiation of lupus inhibitors from other types of anticoagulant.
Interaction of Thromboplastin Apoprotein of Different Tissues with Concanavalin A - Evidence for Heterogeneous Glycosylation of the Human Apoprotein
Authors: van den Besselaar A M H P , Bettina R M
Published: July 2018

Thromboplastin apoproteins of different tissues were solubilized with Triton X-100. Induction of plasma coagulation by these extracts was dependent on the presence of factor VII. Binding of the apoprotein-Triton complex to Concanavalin A- Sepharose 4B was studied. The apoprotein activity extracted from rabbit brain and bovine brain was almost completely bound to Concanavalin A-Sepharose. Under the same conditions, only partial binding was observed with human lung, human brain and human placenta apoprotein. These results suggest that human apoprotein is heterogeneous with respect to its carbohydrate moiety.
Inherited Fibrinolytic Disorder Due to an Enhanced Plasminogen Activator Level
Authors: Aznar J , Estellés A , Vila V , Regañón E , España F , Villa P
Published: July 2018

A family with “in vitro” increased red-cell fall out from the blood clot was studied. One member of the family (JVM) had a clinical history of hemorrhages after minor trauma or dental extractions. Routine coagulation and platelet function were normal except for the fibrinogen level which was slightly low in several members. The antigenic as well as functional evaluation of factor XIII was within normal limits. No factor XIII inhibitors were present. An increase in the clot permeability index was observed in most family members.

The study of the fibrinolytic system showed an enhanced lysis of euglobulins, a normal plasminogen value, normal level of fibrin/ogen degradation products, normal fibrinolytic inhibitors, and an increase in the activity of the plasminogen activator. The activity of this activator was inhibited by an antiserum against tissue-type plasminogen activator. The t-pA inhibitor was in the normal range.

It is concluded that the family studied in this paper shows familial alteration in the fibrinolytic system due to an excess of plasminogen activator immunologically related to that in human tissue.
Effect of Adenyl-Cyclase Activators, Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors and Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate on Platelet Aggregation and Adenosine-3’-5’-Cyclic Monophosphate Accumulation
Authors: Zahavi M , Zahavi J , Kakkar V V
Published: July 2018

The effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and compound BW245C, adenyl-cyclase activators, theophylline, papaverine and dipyridamole, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and pyridoxal- 5-phosphate (PALP) on inhibition of platelet aggregation (PA) and platelet c-AMP accumulation was determined in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and washed platelets. PGE1 at 280 nM and BW245C at 7.7 nM induced a significant PA inhibition in PRP and washed platelets (though less pronounced by PGE1) concomitant to a very large increase (8-13-fold) in platelet cAMP level both in PRP and washed platelets. At comparable PA inhibition, c-AMP level was not significantly changed by PALP and only moderately (but significantly) increased (2-4.6-fold) by PDE inhibitors. PALP or theophylline potentiated both PGE1 induced platelet c-AMP accumulation and PA inhibition. Yet PALP potentiated theophylline-induced PA inhibition without affecting platelet c-AMP level.

Our results indicate that 2 c-AMP pools are presumably present in the platelets, since at comparable c-AMP accumulation PDE inhibitors or BW245C were more effective than PGE1 in PA inhibition in PRP. Morever, this pattern was more pronounced in washed platelets and was also found in the presence of thrombin and adenosine diphosphate which induced a decrease in platelet c-AMP level. The effect of PALP on PA inhibition is presumably mediated by 2 mechanisms: a) a direct effect on the platelet membrane independent from the c-AMP system, b) In the presence of PGE1, the increment in PA inhibition, is through further indirect activation of the adenyl-cyclase. The mechanism of PA inhibition by BW245C in intact platelets, is most probably through activation of adenyl-cyclase. This study emphasize the importance of c-AMP accumulation in the inhibition of PA.
Examination of Certain Coagulation Factors in Menstrual Fluid from Women with Normal Blood Loss
Authors: Cederholm-Williams S A , Rees Margaret C P , Turnbull A C
Published: July 2018

Examination of coagulation factors in menstrual fluid collected from women with normal menstrual blood less (<80 ml) showed the absence of thrombin generating enzymes. Factor X, prothrombin and free thrombin were absent from menstrual fluid. No difference was found between days 1 and 2 of menstruation. Thus activation of coagulation enzymes occurs during normal menstruation though the menstrual blood is characteristically fluid.
Abnormal Haemostasis and Blood Viscosity in Malignant Hypertension
Authors: Isles C , Lowe G D O , Rankin B M , Forbes C D , Lucie N , Lever A F , Kennedy A C
Published: July 2018

We have previously shown abnormalities of haemostasis suggestive of intravascular coagulation in patients with malignant hypertension, a condition associated with retinopathy and renal fibrin deposition. To determine whether such abnormalities are specific to malignant hypertension, we have measured several haemostatic and haemorheological variables in 18 patients with malignant hypertension (Group 1), 18 matched healthy controls (Group 2), and 18 patients with non-malignant hypertension (Group 3) matched for renal pathology, blood pressure and serum creatinine with Group 1. Both Groups 1 and 3 had increased mean levels of fibrinogen, factor VIIIc, beta-thrombo- globulin, plasma viscosity and blood viscosity (corrected for haematocrit); and decreased mean levels of haematocrit, antithrombin III and platelet count. Mean levels of fast antiplasmin and alpha2-macroglobulin were elevated in Group 1 but not in Group 3. We conclude that most blood abnormalities are not specific to malignant hypertension; are also present in patients with non-malignant hypertension who have similar levels of blood pressure and renal damage; and might result from renal damage as well as promoting further renal damage by enhancing fibrin deposition. However increased levels of fibrinolytic inhibitors in malignant hypertension merit further investigation in relation to removal of renal fibrin.
Studies on Prothrombin Complex Concentrates Contact Factors, Complement Components and Proteinase Inhibitors
Authors: Steinbuch M , Péjaudier L , Kichenin V , Boffa M C
Published: July 2018

The behaviour of contact factors, complement components and antiproteases during the preparation of prothrombin complex concentrates by adsorption of the clotting components on DEAE-Sephadex has been studied.

The pro-enzymes: factors XII, XI and prekallikrein were removed by pre-elution in function of the salt concentration. In contrast, high molecular weight kininogen was considerably enriched in PCC preparations. C4 of the complement system displayed an analogous behaviour. Cls reached a 4-5 fold plasma concentration but C3 only 30% of the normal plasma level.

The prothrombin complex concentrate contained no antithrombin III nor α2M nor α2 antiplasmin but a three fold plasma concentration of Cl-inactivator and a 15 fold increase of inter-α- trypsin inhibitor.

NAPTT (Non Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) ratios did not seem to be in accordance with either the presence or the absence of contact enzymes. Moreover 0.20 M NaCl appeared as the minimal pre-elution molarity necessary to ensure a NAPTT ratio above thrombogenic values.

Molecular alteration of high molecular weight kininogen and C4 was observed and its significance discussed. Complex formation between C1-inactivator and proteases was shown to be another sign of undesirable proteolytic events.
Progressive Exposure of E-Neoantigen Associated with Degradation of Crosslinked Fibrin by Plasmin In Vitro
Authors: Stegnar Mojca , Chen James P
Published: July 2018

Fragment E-neoantigen (Eneo) is a specific marker of structural and conformational changes associated with the degradation of fibrinogen and its related proteins. In this study Eneo expression was followed during the plasmin degradation of crosslinked (XL) fibrin in vitro, utilizing double antibody radioimmunoassay. Eneo was progressively exposed as degradation proceeded and its expression was associated with the liberation of high molecular weight fragments from XL-fibrin, their degradation into fragments DD and E, and the partial degradation of fragment E itself. An isolated protein fraction containing early high molecular weight fragments (MW >360000 d) and a fraction containing fragments YY and DY expressed approximately 170 times and 15 times less Eneo per protein respectively compared to the fragment E standard. XL- fibrin fragment E isolated from 1-hr plasmin digest expressed approximately 8 times less Eneo than fragment E isolated from 24-hr digest, indicating increased exposure of Eneo during fragment E degradation. Eneo expression of this terminal fragment E was comparable to fibrinogen fragment E. As expected, fragment DD had no Eneo immunoreactivity.
The Calibration of the Second Primary International Reference Preparation for Thromboplastin (Thromboplastin, Human, Plain, Coded BCT/253)
Authors: Thomson Jean M , Tomenson J A , Poller L
Published: July 2018

An international collaborative exercise has been undertaken to calibrate a replacement for the first WHO primary international reference preparation (IRP) for thromboplastin. The replacement preparation is a lyophilised batch of British Comparative Thromboplastin (BCT/253, human plain) for use in the Quick prothrombin time test. Seventeen centres participated. The experimental design, calibration model and statistical analysis were based on the recommended WHO procedure. As a result of this calibration exercise an International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of 1.1 has been assigned to the preparation by WHO and it has been officially recognised as the second primary IRP for thromboplastin.

The calibration of BCT/253 is an essential link in a new hierarchical structure for the standardisation of the prothrombin time. The aim is to provide a uniform international system of reporting prothrombin time results using International Normalised Ratios (INR) derived from the ISI of individual thromboplastins.
Effect of Dietary Vitamin E on the Production of Platelet 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid (12-HETE)
Authors: Pritchard K A , Greco N J , Panganamala R V
Published: July 2018

Collagen and thrombin challenged platelets from vitamin E-deficient rabbits generated significantly more 12-HETE when compared to the platelets from vitamin E-supplemented rabbits. Similarly, conversion of arachidonic acid to 12-HETE was increased in platelets from vitamin E-deficient rabbits. These data show that vitamin E plays a role not only in deacylation of platelet phospholipids but also in the lipoxygenase mediated reactions.
High Plasma Levels of Protein C Activity and Antigen in the Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Valsecchi Carla , Bottasso Bianca , D'Angelo Armando , Casati Stefano , Ponticelli Claudio
Published: July 2018

Low plasma levels of antithrombin III due to excessive urinary loss are thought to be the cause of thrombotic complications in patients with the nephrotic syndrome. To see whether protein C (PC), another antithrombotic protein, is also reduced in plasma by the same mechanism, plasma and urinary protein C were determined in 24 patients with nephrotic syndrome and no thrombotic complication, and compared to plasma and urinary antithrombin III. Twenty patients (83%) had high plasma levels of protein C activity (mean ± SD 157 ± 41 U/dl) and antigen (158 ± 41). Even though measurable amounts of PC antigen were found in the urines of all but two patients the urinary loss of protein C relative to its plasma concentration was about 40 times lower than that of antithrombin III. High protein C might help to counteract hypercoagulability in nephrotic syndrome.
Existence and orbital stability of standing waves to nonlinear Schrödinger system with partial confinement
Authors: Gou Tianxiang
Published: July 2018

We are concerned with the existence of solutions to the nonlinear Schrödinger system in R3: −Δu1+(x12+x22)u1=λ1u1+μ1|u1|p1−2u1+βr1|u1|r1−2u1|u2|r2 and −Δu2+(x12+x22)u2=λ2u2+μ2|u2|p2−2u2+βr2|u1|r1|u2|r2−2u2 under the constraint ∫R3|u1|2 dx=a1>0,∫R3|u2|2 dx=a2>0, where μ1,μ2,β>0,2<p1,p2<103, r1,r2>1,r1+r2<103. In the system, the parameters λ1, λ2 are unknown and appear as Lagrange multipliers. Our solutions are achieved as global minimizers of the underlying energy functional subject to the constraint. Our purpose is to establish the compactness of any minimizing sequence, up to translation. As a by-product, we obtain the orbital stability of the set of global minimizers.
Dual serial vortex-induced energy harvesting system for enhanced energy harvesting
Authors: Zhou Shengxi , Wang Junlei
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a novel dual serial vortex-induced vibration energy harvesting system for enhanced energy harvesting. It consists of two identical cantilever-based piezoelectric vortex-induced vibration energy harvesters, which are successively installed in one plane (which is paralleled with the wind flow direction) of the wind tunnel. The Lattice Boltzmann method is employed to predict the strength of vortex-induced vibrations and the pressure distribution around the circular cylinders of the harvesters. The numerical results qualitatively explain the influence of the space distance on the energy harvesting performance of the presented system. Experimental results verify the numerical analysis and demonstrate a higher energy harvesting efficiency of the presented system over its traditional single harvester. In detail, experimental results indicate that the effective wind speed range and the output power area of a coupled harvester in the presented system can be as many as 2.67 times and 6.79 times of that of the traditional single harvester, respectively.
How do health consumer organisations in Australia manage pharmaceutical industry sponsorship? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Lau Edith , Fabbri Alice , Mintzes Barbara
Published: July 2018

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate how health consumer organisations manage their relationships with the pharmaceutical industry in Australia.

Methods
We identified 230 health consumer organisations that received pharmaceutical industry support from 2013 to 2016 according to reports published by Medicines Australia, the industry trade association. A random sample of 133 organisations was selected and their websites assessed for financial transparency, policies governing corporate sponsorship and evidence of potential industry influence.

Results
In all, 130 of the 133 organisations evaluated received industry funding. Of these 130, 68 (52.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 43.4–61.1%) disclosed this funding. Nearly all (67; 98.5%) reported the identity of their industry donors, followed by uses (52.9%), amount (13.2%) and proportion of income from industry (4.4%). Less than one-fifth (24/133; 18.0%; 95% CI 11.9–25.6%) had publicly available policies on corporate sponsorship. Six organisations (7.2%; 95% CI 2.7–15.1%) had board members that were currently or previously employed by pharmaceutical companies, and 49 (36.8%; 95% CI 28.6–45.6%) had company logos, web links or advertisements on their websites.

Conclusion
Industry-funded health consumer organisations in Australia have low transparency when reporting industry funding and few have policies governing corporate sponsorship. Relationships between health consumer organisations and the industry require effective actions to minimise the risks of undue influence.

What is known about this topic?
Pharmaceutical industry funding of health consumer organisations is common in the US and Europe, yet only a minority of such organisations publicly disclose this funding and have policies regulating their relationships with industry.

What does this paper add?
Industry-funded health consumer organisations in Australia have inadequate financial transparency and rarely have policies addressing corporate funding. Organisations that have received more industry funding are more likely to report it publicly.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Robust policies addressing corporate sponsorship and increased transparency are needed to maintain the independence of health consumer organisations. Governments may also consider regulating non-profit organisations to ensure public reporting of funding sources.
A model for locating fodder shrub plantations sites in the Jordanian badiyah
Authors: Saïdi S. , Gintzburger G. , Gazull L. , Wallace J. , Christiansen S.
Published: July 2018

We developed a GIS desktop model to accurately locate and map prospective areas for sustainable establishment and production of Atriplex plantations and other fodder shrubs in the desert in the north-eastern Jordanian Badiyah. The aim is to provide a tool to assist managers, local communities and development projects in Mediterranean arid and semi-arid rangelands. The model uses freely available data and GIS layers of current land use, land cover, settlement location, soil information, and derivatives from a digital elevation model to provide critical locations of drainage lines and to calculate Areas of Accumulated Water from concentrated runoff. The model identified, accurately located and mapped ~4500 ha (1.44% of the test zone) as technically appropriate for potential shrub plantations sites. The final site map must be field-checked and validated with the local communities and authorities. Our model has potential for wide application over arid and semi-arid Mediterranean rangelands from Morocco to Pakistan, with local adjustment of our parameters and rules. The model considerably reduces the risk and costs of fodder plantation establishment operations, thus increasing the feasibility of efforts to maximise fodder shrub establishment, survival and production.
Quantile regression: an alternative approach to modelling forest area burned by individual fires
Authors: Rijal Baburam
Published: July 2018

Components of a fire regime have long been estimated using mean-value-based ordinary least-squares regression. But, forest and fire managers require predictions beyond the mean because impacts of small and large fires on forest ecosystems and wildland–urban interfaces are different. Therefore, different action plans are required to manage potential fires of varying sizes that demand size-based modelling tools. The objective of this study was to compare two model-fitting techniques, namely quantile mixed-effects (QME) model and ordinary linear mixed-effects (LME) model for constructing distributions of model-predicted small and large fires. I examined these techniques by modelling the fire size of individual escaped wildfires. Results showed that the LME-predicted fire size approximately coincided to the 0.75 quantile. The LME model produced more biased predictions at the two extremes, both of which manifest great importance in forest ecosystems and fire management. Modelling the distributions for small and large fires using quantile regression can reduce such biases along with giving unbiased mean estimates. This study concludes that quantile modelling is an effective approach to complement ordinary regression that helps predict the size-based risks of individual fires more precisely, and that could allow managers to better plan resources when managing fires.
The illocutionary basis of information structure
Authors: Cresti Emanuela , Moneglia Massimo
Published: July 2018

The paper briefly presents the Language into Act Theory (L-AcT) that relies on two primary assumptions: (a) the pragmatic
basis of Information Structure (IS); (b) a strict correspondence between prosodic units and
information units. The study of IS requires the identification of the proper reference unit for
speech, that according to L-AcT is the utterance. Utterance is defined as the counterpart of a speech
act (Austin 1962), and is demarcated by prosody in the flow of speech. The paper
demonstrates the pragmatic foundation of IS. The Comment information unit conveys the illocutionary force,
automatically expressing the new information and is the core of IS. In addition to the Topic-Comment relation, other information units
exist, corresponding to Textual and Dialogical Functions. Given that information units match in one-to-one way to
prosodic units, the prosodic annotation grounds the identification of information units in the flow of speech. The
paper demonstrates L-AcT’s assumptions through examples taken from spontaneous spoken corpora of Romance languages, English, and
Chinese. L-AcT appears therefore viable for application in large, corpus-based, typological studies.
Think tanks in ‘hard times’ – the Global Financial Crisis and economic advice
Authors: Hernando Marcos Gonzalez , Pautz Hartwig , Stone Diane
Published: July 2018

The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and the Great Recession that ensued had reverberations that were not only social, political and economic. The crises also led to increased doubt in the value and usefulness of policy expertise and in its producers. This ‘epistemic crisis’ is the starting point of this thematic issue dedicated to think tanks in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis and Great Recession. The Introduction to the issue has four objectives. First, it gives a high-level overview of the challenges and opportunities think tanks have faced in the wake of these crises, given the paradox of growing demand for policy expertise precisely at the moment when such expertise and its makers became suspect for many. Second, the Introduction gives an overview of the research literature on think tanks and their role in the policy-making process and the public debate. Third, the articles comprising this thematic issue are introduced, and connections between them established. Fourth, the introduction gauges the effects of Global Financial Crisis and Great Recession, but also crises more generally, on think tanks and the environment they operate in, and speculates about the future of the think tank industry.
Think tanks and ‘policy hybrids’ in the Western Balkans and post-soviet space
Authors: Galushko Vlad , Djordjevic Masha
Published: July 2018

In response to changing geopolitical circumstances and the fiscal austerity in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, many think tank donors have considered expanding their funding options to include new policy actors in order to achieve the same (or greater) policy impact on a more limited budget. This article reviews one case of donor assistance to support policy hybrid organizations in the Western Balkans and the former Soviet Union. While generally successful in helping a number of local organizations to become policy relevant, the experience provides a series of lessons for foreign donors. It also seeks to marry these insights with a new funding reality, which combines less money available for supporting policy research with greater pressure for that research to be responsive and influential.
Armenia-Turkey border opening: what determines the attitude of Armenians?
Authors: Grigoryan Aleksandr , Khachatryan Knar , Ter-Matevosyan Vahram
Published: July 2018

In spite of all previous efforts, the land border between Armenia and Turkey remains closed. Being one of the last reminders of the Cold War era, it significantly hinders the development of Armenia and eastern regions of Turkey. However, a closed border is more than a physical obstacle, as it also shapes the worldview and perceptions of the respective societies. Using the recent survey on “Public Opinion Poll: The Ways for Normalization of Armenian- Turkish Relations”, we identify the determinants of respondents’ attitudes towards the opening of the border. Among other results, we find that more awareness of the current Armenian-Turkish relationship increases the likelihood of the approval of the border. However, when selecting those respondents, who are either loyal to or approve the opening of the border, the awareness of the protocols’ content decreases the likelihood of the approval of the opening border. Our findings are supported by the contact theory which we use as a conceptual framework.
Eosinophils can more than kill
Authors: Berek Claudia
Published: July 2018

In this issue of JEM, Arnold et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20172049) demonstrate that eosinophils suppress mucosal inflammation by directly interacting with pro-inflammatory Th1 cells. This emphasizes the dual role of eosinophils, which can act both as effector cells that control an infection and as immunomodulatory cells that promote immune homeostasis.
The Implementation of Supreme Court Precedent
Authors: Boldt Ethan D. , Gizzi Michael C.
Published: July 2018

While many scholars have focused on the relationship shared between the Supreme Court and lower courts, fewer have studied how those outside the judicial branch implement court policy. This study examines how police implemented a major shift in vehicle search law after the Supreme Court placed limits on search incident to arrest. Comprehensive traffic-stop data from two states are relied upon for time series intervention analyses to test the decision’s impact. Evidence of the Court’s influence is found in seriously limiting searches incident to arrest and expanding the use of alternative searches as a means to circumvent the ruling.
Regional key comparison SIM.QM-K111—propane in nitrogen
Authors: Augusto Cristiane Rodrigues , Fioravante Andreia de Lima , Smarçaro da Cunha Valnei , Ramírez Nambo Carlos , Murillo Francisco Rangel , Delgado Jorge Koelliker , Salas Manuel de Jesus Avila , Ramírez Octavio Piedra
Published: July 2018

This key comparison is one of a series of key comparisons in the gas analysis area assessing core competences (track A key comparisons). Such competences include, among others, the capabilities to prepare primary standard gas mixtures (PSMs), perform the necessary purity analysis on the materials used in the gas mixture preparation, the verification of the composition of newly prepared PSMs against existing ones, and the capability of calibrating a gas mixture. For this key comparison, a binary mixture of propane in nitrogen has been chosen at a nominal amount-of-substance fraction level of 1000 μmol mol−1 [6]. The key comparison design follows that of the key comparisons for gas mixture that are prepared gravimetrically.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
A Dictionary of Politics in the Middle East
Authors: Ulrichsen Kristian Coates
Published: July 2018

Over 300 entries

This dictionary provides a useful overview of the wide array of political structures and systems that comprise the contemporary Middle East. From Turkey through Iraq and Iran, to the Arabian Peninsula and the states of North Africa, it includes up-to-date definitions of political organizations, key political figures, and important developments, as well as region-specific concepts such as Majlis, academic terms such as rentier state theory, and events such as the Arab Spring.

It is an essential reference resource for students taking courses or modules in politics in the Middle East or broader subject areas such as politics, history, economics, and international relations with a specific focus on Middle Eastern politics.
Centenarians Overexpress Pluripotency-Related Genes
Authors: Inglés Marta , Mas-Bargues Cristina , Berna-Erro Alejandro , Matheu Ander , Sanchís Paula , Avellana Juan-Antonio , Borrás Consuelo , Viña José
Published: July 2018

Human mesenchymal cells can become pluripotent by the addition of Yamanaka factors OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC, KLF4. We have recently reported that centenarians overexpress BCL-xL, which has been shown to improve pluripotency; thus, we aimed to determine the expression of pluripotency-related genes in centenarians. We recruited 22 young, 32 octogenarian, and 47 centenarian individuals and determined the mRNA expression of Yamanaka factors and other stemness-related cell surface marker genes (VIM, BMP4, NCAM, BMPR2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We found that centenarians overexpress OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC, VIM, BMP4, NCAM, and BMPR2, when compared with octogenarians (p < .05). We further tested the functional role of BCL-xL in centenarians’ ability to express pluripotency-related genes: lymphocytes from octogenarians transduced with BCL-xL overexpressed SOX2, c-MYC, and KLF4. We conclude that centenarians overexpress Yamanaka Factors and other stemness-related cell surface marker genes, which may contribute to their successful aging.
Blood Exposure Causes Ventricular Zone Disruption and Glial Activation In Vitro
Authors: Castaneyra-Ruiz Leandro , Morales Diego M , McAllister James P , Brody Steven L , Isaacs Albert M , Strahle Jennifer M , Dahiya Sonika M , Limbrick David D
Published: July 2018

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is the most common cause of pediatric hydrocephalus in North America but remains poorly understood. Cell junction-mediated ventricular zone (VZ) disruption and astrogliosis are associated with the pathogenesis of congenital, nonhemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Recently, our group demonstrated that VZ disruption is also present in preterm infants with IVH. On the basis of this observation, we hypothesized that blood triggers the loss of VZ cell junction integrity and related cytopathology. In order to test this hypothesis, we developed an in vitro model of IVH by applying syngeneic blood to cultured VZ cells obtained from newborn mice. Following blood treatment, cells were assayed for N-cadherin-dependent adherens junctions, ciliated ependymal cells, and markers of glial activation using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. After 24–48 hours of exposure to blood, VZ cell junctions were disrupted as determined by a significant reduction in N-cadherin expression (p < 0.05). This was also associated with significant decrease in multiciliated cells and increase in glial fibrillary acid protein-expressing cells (p < 0.05). These observations suggest that, in vitro, blood triggers VZ cell loss and glial activation in a pattern that mirrors the cytopathology of human IVH and supports the relevance of this in vitro model to define injury mechanisms.
Oral Management for Pediatric Lyme Meningitis
Authors: Lopez Santiago M C , Campfield Brian T , Nowalk Andrew J
Published: July 2018

Background

Guidelines for pediatric Lyme meningitis recommend treatment with parenteral therapy [1, 2]. Adult studies suggest that Lyme meningitis can be successfully treated with oral therapy. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical response, side effects and outcome of oral therapy for Lyme meningitis in the pediatric population compared with parenteral therapy in an area endemic for Lyme disease.

Methods

We conducted a case series chart review from January 2012 to May 2017 of pediatrics patient diagnosed and treated for Lyme meningitis. We recorded clinical presentation, laboratory values, antimicrobial therapy and follow up after therapy to compare the efficacy of oral versus parenteral route of therapy.

Results

We identified 38 patients diagnosed with Lyme meningitis. Thirty-two patients were discharge with exclusively oral therapy with: doxycycline and amoxicillin. We had only 2 patients developed potential adverse effects from oral doxycycline therapy. All patients treated with oral antibiotics had resolution of symptoms on follow up appointments.

Conclusions

Oral therapy for Lyme meningitis yields no serious adverse events, was well tolerated and showed resolution of symptoms.
Epilepsy Surgery in the First 3 Years of Life: Predictors of Seizure Freedom and Cognitive Development
Authors: Kadish Navah Ester , Bast Thomas , Reuner Gitta , Wagner Kathrin , Mayer Hans , Schubert-Bast Susanne , Wiegand Gert , Strobl Karl , Brandt Armin , Korinthenberg Rudolf , van Velthoven Vera , Schulze-Bonhage Andreas , Zentner Josef , Ramantani Georgia
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Although the majority of children undergoing epilepsy surgery are younger than 3 yr at epilepsy manifestation, only few actually receive surgical treatment in early childhood. Past studies have, however, suggested that earlier intervention may correlate with superior developmental outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors for long-term seizure freedom and cognitive development following epilepsy surgery in the first 3 yr of life and determine the appropriate timing for surgical treatment in this age group.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 48 consecutive children aged 1.1 ± 0.7 yr at surgery.

RESULTS

Final surgeries comprised 52% hemispherotomies, 13% multilobar, and 35% intralobar resections. Etiology included cortical malformations in 71%, peri- or postnatal ischemic lesions in 13%, and benign tumor or tuberous sclerosis in 8% each. At last follow-up (median 4.3, range 1-14.3 yr), 60% of children remained seizure-free: 38% had discontinued antiepileptic drugs. Intralobar lesionectomy resulted more often in seizure control than multilobar or hemispheric surgery. Postsurgical seizure freedom was determined by the completeness of resection. Early postsurgical seizures were key markers of seizure recurrence. Presurgical adaptive and cognitive developmental status was impaired in 89% children. Longer epilepsy duration and larger lesion extent were detrimental to presurgical development, which, in turn, determined the postsurgical developmental outcome.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that epilepsy surgery in very young children is safe as well as efficient regarding long-term seizure freedom and antiepileptic drug cessation in selected candidates. Longer epilepsy duration is the only modifiable predictor of impaired adaptive and cognitive development, thus supporting early surgical intervention.
Exploring atmospheric free-radical chemistry in China: the self-cleansing capacity and the formation of secondary air pollution
Authors: Lu Keding , Guo Song , Tan Zhaofeng , Wang Haichao , Shang Dongjie , Liu Yuhan , Li Xin , Wu Zhijun , Hu Min , Zhang Yuanhang
Published: July 2018

Since 1971, it has been known that the atmospheric free radicals play a pivotal role in maintaining the oxidizing power of the troposphere. The existence of the oxidizing power is an important feature of the troposphere to remove primary air pollutants emitted from human beings as well as those from the biosphere. Nevertheless, serious secondary air-pollution incidents can take place due to fast oxidation of the primary pollutants. Elucidating the atmospheric free-radical chemistry is a demanding task in the field of atmospheric chemistry worldwide, which includes two kinds of work: first, the setup of reliable radical detection systems; second, integrated field studies that enable closure studies on the sources and sinks of targeted radicals such as OH and NO3. In this review, we try to review the Chinese efforts to explore the atmospheric free-radical chemistry in such chemical complex environments and the possible link of this fast gas-phase oxidation with the fast formation of secondary air pollution in the city-cluster areas in China.
Hasidism
Authors: Wodzinski Marcin
Published: July 2018

Innovative and multidisciplinary in approaches, the book discusses the most cardinal features of any social or religious movement: definition, gender, leadership, demographic size, geography, economy, and decline of Hasidism, one of the most important religious movements of modern Eastern Europe. This is the first such attempt to respond to those central questions of Hasidism in one book. Recognizing the major limitations of the existing research on Hasidism, the book offers four important corrections. First, it offers an anti-elitist corrective attempting to investigate Hasidism beyond its leaders into the masses of the rank-and-file followers. Second, it introduces new types of sources, rarely or never used in the research of Hasidism, including archival documents, Jewish memorial books, petitionary notes, folk texts, and quantitative and visual materials. Third, it covers the whole classic period of Hasidism from its institutional maturation at the end of the eighteenth century to its major crisis and decline in wake of the First World War. Fourth, instead of focusing on intellectual history, it offers a multidisciplinary approach with the modern methodologies of the corresponding disciplines: social and cultural history, sociology and anthropology of religion, historical demography of religions, historical geography, gender studies, economic history, and more.
Gods, Fate, and the Character of Oedipus
Authors: Woodruff Paul
Published: July 2018

In both plays, character drives the actions that are represented or reported on stage. Although Oedipus and his family are living through a fate allotted to them by the gods, they show genuine agency in their actions. The only stage action that calls for a supernatural explanation is the miracle at the end of Oedipus at Colonus, when Oedipus seems to understand the voice of Zeus in the sound of thunder. Otherwise, all the actions can be explained in terms of the character qualities of the agents. Oedipus’s character is a blend of qualities that not only explain his actions but render him attractively human. The blend is unique: Sophocles shows us an Oedipus who is an individual, not a type. Power figures who are impetuous, prone to anger, and self-absorbed may be a familiar type, but Oedipus’s rampant curiosity makes him unique.
Surge
Authors: Williams Paul D.
Published: July 2018

This chapter starts by analysing why Ethiopia decided to integrate some of its troops into AMISOM in January 2014. It then summarizes the four major expansion and consolidation operations that AMISOM undertook over the next two years, namely, operations Eagle, Indian Ocean, Ocean Build, and Juba Corridor. The third section then discusses the subsequent round of mandate revisions and review process that took place in light of these operations. A major consequence of these operations was that AMISOM acquired more territory and settlements to help administer. The fourth section therefore discusses some of the main problems caused by this newly expanded force structure and the major attempts by al-Shabaab to overrun AMISOM bases. Finally, the chapter assesses the most fundamental and perennial problem facing AMISOM, namely, the lack of a political settlement and national reconciliation among Somalia’s governing elites.