bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Lexical Legacy of Substrate Languages: A Test Case From The Southern Ecuadorian Highlands
Authors: Urban Matthias 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Central Andes of Peru and Ecuador have seen periods of language shift and language replacement in which expansive languages superseded earlier layers of local languages, as has happened numerous times in other regions around the world. In colonial times, members of the expansive Quechua family still coexisted with a number of local languages, and it is almost certain that Quechua had replaced several such languages in prehistory. In this paper, I focus on the Quechua variety spoken in the southern Ecuadorian highlands of Cañar and Azuay, and ask what can be learnt of the replaced language(s), and thereby the linguistic prehistory of the Southern Ecuadorian highlands, from its lexicon. By employing criteria developed elsewhere, I identify possible substrate items in the lexicon, highlighting philological points and linguistic analysis during the discussion. I further explore what these items suggest for the hypothesis – suggested in passing but not yet fully explored – that the original language of the region was a southern representative of the Barbacoan family of languages. I conclude that they provide some support for the hypothesis, but that the evidence is ultimately equivocal.
Perioperative goal‐directed therapy: A systematic review without meta‐analysis
Authors: Kaufmann Thomas , Clement Ramon P. , Scheeren Thomas W. L. , Saugel Bernd , Keus Frederik , van der Horst Iwan C. C. 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundPerioperative goal‐directed therapy aims to optimise haemodynamics by titrating fluids, vasopressors and/or inotropes to predefined haemodynamic targets. Perioperative goal‐directed therapy is a complex intervention composed of several independent component interventions. Trials on perioperative goal‐directed therapy show conflicting results. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate the benefits and harms of perioperative goal‐directed therapy.MethodsPubMED, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched. Trials were included if they had a perioperative goal‐directed therapy protocol. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. The first secondary outcome was serious adverse events excluding mortality. Risk of bias was assessed, and GRADE was used to evaluate quality of evidence.ResultsOne hundred and twelve randomised trials were included of which one trial (1%) had low risk of bias. Included trials varied in patients: types of surgery which was expected due to inclusion criteria; in intervention and comparison: timing of intervention, monitoring devices, haemodynamic variables, target values, use of fluids, vasopressors and/or inotropes as well as combinations of these within protocols; and in outcome: mortality was reported in 87 trials (78%). Due to substantial clinical heterogeneity also within the various types of surgery a meta‐analysis of data, including subgroup analyses, as defined in our protocol was considered inappropriate.ConclusionClinical heterogeneity in patients, interventions and outcomes in perioperative goal‐directed therapy trials is too large to perform meta‐analysis on all trials. Future trials and meta‐analyses highly depend on universally agreed definitions on aspects beyond type of surgery of the complex intervention and its evaluation.
A global view of the pathophysiology of varicocele
Authors: Hassanin A. M. , Ahmed H. H. , Kaddah A. N. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryVaricocele is the most common abnormality identified in men being evaluated for subfertility. In this comprehensive review of the pathophysiology of varicocele, we will shed light on novel pathophysiological findings and their clinical implications that may direct future researches; we will shed light on the impact of transient scrotal hyperthermia and the roles of inflammation and differential protein expression and androgen expression in spermatozoa on inducing pathophysiological findings. Furthermore, we will clarify the linked processes contributing to the pathophysiology of varicocele and the impact of genetics on the induction of these processes. Spermatogenesis is a temperature‐sensitive process, and heat stress of varicocele is considered the most plausible cause of impaired spermatogenesis. The three processes associated with the presence of varicocele – heat stress, excess reactive oxygen species, and increased apoptosis – appear to be linked; heat stress is associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, which can induce apoptosis. The genetic role should not be overlooked as a contributing factor in the induction of heat stress, excess reactive oxygen species/oxidative stress, and apoptosis; this is evidenced by the association of varicocele with decreased expression of heat‐shock proteins, higher polymorphism of glutathione S transferase and nitric oxide synthase genes, and increased BAX and decreased BCL2 genes and proteins. In this article, we will highlight the need of application of novel diagnostic techniques that can provide a precise pathophysiological diagnosis to guide potential specific innovative therapies. Innovative therapies can counteract the varicocele‐induced stasis, suppress the degenerative effects of testicular hyperthermia, reduce the varicocele‐induced apoptosis, and target the elevated‐neutrophil products aiming at abrogating the testicular damage caused by the induced varicocele in rats/mice. In conclusion, on the basis of the novel scientific research, it may be possible to formulate new treatments and achieve the appropriate selection of patients who can benefit from these treatments.
Lower uterine segment placental thickness in women with abnormally invasive placenta
Authors: Bhide Amarnath , Laoreti Arianna , Kaelin Agten Andrea , Papageorghiou Aris , Khalil Asma , Uprichard James , Thilaganathan Basky , Chandraharan Edwin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroductionUltrasound signs of abnormal placental invasion are subjective in nature. We tested the hypothesis that placental thickness in the lower uterine segment is increased when there is abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) in women with a low‐lying placenta.Material and methodsRetrospective analysis of data of placental thickness in women with ultrasound evidence of major placenta previa or a low‐lying anterior placenta was done. The diagnosis of AIP was confirmed both intraoperatively and on histopathology for those managed by partial myometrial excision with uterine conservation or by hysterectomy.ResultsIn all, 131 records were available for analysis after exclusion of 33 cases due to unsuitable images and eight cases without pregnancy outcomes. The diagnosis of AIP was confirmed in 28 (21.4%) of the 131 cases. The lower segment placental thickness was significantly higher in women with AIP (median = 50.3 mm, IQR: 42.7‐64.3) than in those with normal placentation (median = 30.9 mm, IQR: 22.9‐42.2, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that previous cesarean section and placental thickness on ultrasound were independent predictors for AIP.ConclusionsLower uterine segment placental thickness is increased in women with AIP compared with those with noninvasive placentation. This association constitutes a pragmatic objective sign and may be of clinical value in improving prenatal detection of AIP in women with placental implantation in the lower uterine segment. Prospective studies are necessary to ascertain lower segment placental thickness as a predictor for AIP.
Anti‐inflammatory effects of the GAG‐binding CXCL9(74‐103) peptide in dinitrofluorobenzene‐induced contact hypersensitivity in mice
Authors: Vanheule Vincent , Crijns Helena , Poosti Fariba , Ruytinx Pieter , Berghmans Nele , Gerlza Tanja , Ronsse Isabelle , Pörtner Noëmie , Matthys Patrick , Kungl Andreas J. , Opdenakker Ghislain , Struyf Sofie , Proost Paul 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBackgroundTo recruit leucocytes to an inflammatory site, chemokine binding to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is critical. Therefore, strategies to interfere with this interaction, aiming at the production of anti‐inflammatory agents, were developed. These include production of modified chemokines without affinity for G protein‐coupled receptors but with enhanced affinity for GAGs. Such modified chemokines compete with functional chemokines for GAG binding, prevent chemokine immobilization and presentation, and inhibit leucocyte migration. In addition to modified chemokines, a GAG‐binding peptide consisting of the 30 COOH‐terminal residues of CXCL9, that is CXCL9(74‐103), inhibited CXCL8‐ and monosodium urate crystal‐induced neutrophil migration.ObjectiveWe wanted to explore whether interference with chemokine‐GAG interactions by CXCL9(74‐103) reduces inflammation in neutrophil‐dependent dinitrofluorobenzene‐induced contact hypersensitivity.MethodsFor this study, we evaluated several inflammatory parameters, including ear swelling and the levels of chemokines, cytokines, proteases and neutrophils in the ears of dinitrofluorobenzene‐induced mice treated with CXCL9(74‐103) or buffer.ResultsOne intravenous injection of CXCL9(74‐103), just before painting with dinitrofluorobenzene on the ear, did not affect protein levels of the major murine neutrophil attractant, that is CXCL6, in this contact hypersensitivity model. However, IL‐6, CXCL1, CCL2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) protein concentrations and peroxidase activity in challenged ears were reduced. In addition, intravenous injection of the CXCL9‐derived peptide led to a reduced ear swelling response, indicating that the locally produced chemokines were hindered to attract leucocytes. The inhibiting potential of CXCL9(74‐103) was explained by its competition for GAG binding with CXCL1, CXCL6 and CCL3 and inhibition of transendothelial migration of neutrophils to CXCL6.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThe CXCL9(74‐103) peptide inhibited dinitrofluorobenzene‐induced infiltration of neutrophils and neutrophil‐dependent inflammation in ears. Therefore, CXCL9(74‐103) may be a lead molecule for the development of therapeutic peptides or peptide derivatives that compete with functional chemokines for GAG binding.
More severe deficits in functional status associated with higher mortality among adults awaiting liver transplantation
Authors: McCabe Patrick , Wong Robert J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe impact of functional status on liver transplant (LT) waitlist outcomes is not well studied. Early evidence suggests frailty portends increased mortality. We aim to evaluate the association of functional status with LT waitlist survival and the probability of receiving LT among adults with cirrhosis. Using 2005‐2016 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data, we retrospectively assessed the association of functional status, as determined by Karnofsky Performance Status Score (KPSS) with LT waitlist survival and the probability of receiving LT using Kaplan‐Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Among 118 954 patients listed for LT, patients with worse Karnofsky scores, indicating poor functional status, were progressively more likely to receive liver transplantation compared to patients with better scores, with the most functionally disabled group having 68% higher probability of receiving LT (HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.61‐1.75, P < 0.001). Worse functional status was associated with increased waitlist mortality, with the most functionally disabled group 97% more likely to die on the waitlist (HR 1.97; 95% CI 1.81‐2.16, P < 0.001). In conclusion, among patients awaiting LT, worse functional status was associated with significantly higher waitlist mortality.
Migratory connectivity of barn swallows in South Africa to their Palaearctic breeding grounds
Authors: Burman Marc S. , Underhill Leslie G. , Altwegg Res , Erni Birgit , Remisiewicz Magdalena , MacLeod Jack 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimTo demonstrate that the population of barn swallow Hirundo rustica in South Africa in the austral summer is not a pan‐mixture of birds from their vast Palaearctic breeding range and to estimate proportions of barn swallows in four South African regions migrating to three breeding ground zones.LocationSouth Africa and Eurasia.MethodsWe analysed citizen science barn swallow ringing records, obtained between 1954 and 2011 in South Africa, and their recoveries made in Eurasia. We used the “division coefficient” method to model the spatial variability of the recovery process and to estimate proportions of barn swallows ringed in four regions of South Africa (KwaZulu‐Natal, Gauteng, eastern part of Northern Cape and the Western Cape) migrating to three zones in the Eurasian breeding grounds: western (west of 10°E), central (10°–60°E) and eastern (east of 60°E).ResultsThe percentages of barn swallows migrating from KwaZulu‐Natal to the eastern and central Palaearctic zones were estimated at 54.0% and 46.0%, respectively. The percentages from Gauteng to the central and western zones were 80.5% and 15.7%, from the Northern Cape to the central and western zones were 43.7% and 56.3% and from the Western Cape to the eastern, central and western zones were 30.8%, 35.4%, 33.8%. The estimate of the observer process suggested that reencounter rates per 10,000 swallows ringed increased from east to west: 32 reencounters per 10,000 in the eastern zone, 36 in the central zone and 50 in the western zone.Main conclusionsThese results provide the first quantitative estimates of the composition of barn swallow populations in four regions of South Africa, relative to their Palaearctic breeding zones.
Retrospective analysis of the usefulness of a protocol with high‐dose methotrexate in polymyalgia rheumatica: Results of a single‐center cohort of 100 patients
Authors: Quartuccio Luca , Gregoraci Giorgia , Isola Miriam , De Vita Salvatore 
Published: July 2018

AimThe aim of the present study was to define subsets of patients suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica, where methotrexate (MTX) up to 20 mg/week might be more effective.MethodsA total of 100 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica treated with MTX were studied. The criteria for MTX introduction were: (i) relapse during the first month of therapy, when tapering glucocorticoids (GC); (ii) requiring long‐term GC (i.e. >24 consecutive months); (iii) requiring ≥5 mg/day of prednisone equivalents after 4 months of GC therapy; (iv) GC‐related side‐effects; and (v) a high risk of GC‐related side‐effects. All the patients were followed for at least 12 months. A group of patients treated with GC alone in the same center was also compared with the whole MTX group.ResultsFollow up varied from 12 to 185 months (median 46.5 months). Remission with current prednisone dose ≤2.5 mg/day at month +12 was observed in 59 out of 100 patients; remission with GC suspension at month +12 was observed in 38 out of 100, without significant difference among groups. Approximately half of the patients showed at least one relapse (54/100) during the follow‐up period. The cumulative dose of GC was 1.5 g (range 0.1–15.2 g) . New GC‐related side‐effects were recorded in 16 out of 100 patients at last follow up. Compared with the GC alone group, the MTX group showed younger age, higher prevalence of female sex and higher level of inflammation.ConclusionsMTX up to 20 mg/day was useful in defined subsets of polymyalgia rheumatica, also in the long term. No significant differences were noticed among the five subgroups. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1410–1414.
Information asymmetry, financialization, and financial access
Authors: Asongu Simplice A. , Odhiambo Nicholas M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study investigates whether information sharing channels that are meant to reduce information asymmetry have led to an increase in financial access. The study employs a Generalized Method of Moments technique using data from 53 African countries during the period from 2004 to 2011 to examine this linkage. Information sharing channels are theoretically designed to promote the formal financial sector and discourage the informal financial sector. The study uses two information sharing channels: private credit bureaus and public credit registries. The study found that both information sharing channels have a positive and significant impact on financial access. The study also found that public credit registries complement the formal financial sector to promote financial access. Policy implications are discussed.
Growth of noncongruent LiTaO3 crystal by chemical vapor phase equilibration using niobium‐based two‐phase powder
Authors: Zhang Chao‐Yang , Yang Xiao‐Fei , Zhang Zi‐Bo , Wong Wing‐Han , Pun Edwin Yue‐Bun , Zhang De‐Long 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNoncongruent nearly stoichiometric/lithium‐deficient LiTaO3 crystal was grown by lithium‐rich/lithium‐deficient chemical vapor‐phase‐equilibration (VPE) technique, and low‐cost two‐phase powder LiNbO3‐Li3NbO4 or LiNbO3‐LiNb3O8 instead of expensive LiTaO3‐Li3TaO4 or LiTaO3‐LiTa3O8 was used in the VPE experiments. The LiTaO3 crystalline phase in the lithium‐rich/lithium‐deficient crystal was confirmed by X‐ray analysis. The lithium‐rich/lithium‐deficient VPE‐induced lithium‐oxide (Li2O) molar content increase/reduction was measured as a function of VPE duration using gravimetric method, and empirical relations between them are presented for both cases. We show that both the lithium‐rich and lithium‐deficient VPE techniques based on the two‐phase powder LiNbO3‐Li3NbO4 or LiNbO3‐LiNb3O8 can be successfully used to adjust the lithium‐oxide content in a LiTaO3 crystal and produce a noncongruent nearly stoichiometric or lithium‐deficient crystal plate with desired lithium‐oxide content.
Facile synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of siliconitride phosphors for white light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Lu Chung‐Hsin , Yang Che‐Yuan , Som Sudipta , Das Subrata 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique is used to synthesize the color‐tunable siliconitride Sr2‐1.5x‐yCexEuySi5N8 (x = 0.000‐0.016 and y = 0.000‐0.020) phosphors. In comparison with the conventional solid‐state method, the CVD approach successfully improved the crystallinity, particle size distribution, and photoluminescence through the enhanced gas‐solid reaction. Under blue excitation, Sr1.98Eu0.02Si5N8 exhibited a red emission band at 618 nm. The incorporation of Ce3+ ions increased the emission intensity of Eu2+ ions by approximately 10% owing to the enhanced absorption and dipole‐dipole energy transfer process from Ce3+ to Eu2+ ions. It resulted in a shift of the emission colors from yellow to red region. The external and internal quantum efficiencies of Sr1.906Ce0.06Eu0.004Si5N8 were calculated as 54% and 70%, respectively. The activation energy of thermal stability for Sr1.906Ce0.06Eu0.004Si5N8 was evaluated as 0.31 eV. A white LED with a color rendering index of 80 and a CCT of 4964 K was successfully fabricated with the present phosphors. The current research demonstrated a new series of Sr2Si5N8:Ce3+, Eu2+ phosphors with color‐tunability for fabricating white LEDs with high color‐rendering index.
Fabrication and properties of transparent Nd‐doped BaF2 ceramics
Authors: Li Jianlin , Chen Xianqiang , Tang Lingfei , Li Yiyu , Wu Yiquan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNd:BaF2 nanoparticles have been prepared via co‐precipitation and a pumping filtration wash method. The phase composition and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE‐SEM) analyses, respectively. SEM observations revealed the powder's particle size to be approximately 100‐200 nm after calcination at 600°C for 5 hours in Ar. The transparent Nd:BaF2 ceramics were then fabricated by the one‐step vacuum sintering method at a temperature of 1200°C for 10 hours. SEM observations of the polished and thermally etched cross sections of the sintered ceramic revealed a highly homogenous microstructure with average grain size of 420 μm. Optical property characterization revealed that the transmittance of the ceramic reaches a maximum of ~70% in the infrared wavelength range, and an emission peak located at 1058 nm, excited by 808 nm light.
Understanding the atomistic origin of hydration effects in single and mixed bulk alkali‐silicate glasses
Authors: Baral Khagendra , Li Aize , Ching Wai‐Yim 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSilica‐water interaction plays an essential role for the mechanical strength and chemical durability of alkali‐doped‐silicate glasses. A comprehensive study of single and mixed alkali‐silicate glasses with 30% molar content of Li2O, Na2O, and K2O, and half‐half mixture of Li2O–Na2O, Li2O–K2O, and Na2O–K2O in hydrated models is carried out using density functional theory methods. Information on atomic geometry, electronic structure, interatomic bonding, partial charge distribution, mechanical, and optical properties are obtained and compared. It confirms that water in the solvated and confined bulk models can be either dissociated or remains as H2O molecule depending on the distribution and specific alkali elements. A quantum mechanical metric, the total bond order density is used to unravel the atomistic origin of the internal cohesion and strength of glasses in different environments. In particular, we show that the mechanical strength of bulk alkali‐silicate glasses is enhanced by hydration with some evidence that mixing of alkali ions tends to degrade the strength of the hydrated glasses. These results are discussed in the context of experimental observations and a few existing simulations using classical molecular dynamics.
Power Shifts via the Judicial Arena: How Annulments Cases between EU Institutions Shape Competence Allocation
Authors: Hartlapp Miriam 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBesides infringement and preliminary ruling procedures, actions for annulment form a third important category of procedures brought before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). A subset of these actions is ‘horizontal litigation’, where EU institutions litigate against other EU institutions. Based on a new dataset covering all horizontal annulment conflicts (1957–2017), this contribution analyzes conflict patterns. I identify the most typical litigant constellations and link them to substantial battles over competences including winners and losers. Using the example of EU external affairs, I show how annulment actions have shaped the relationship between EU institutions over time, with impact as significant as treaty changes. In sum, the analysis of this so far ‘forgotten’ type of procedure furthers our systematic understanding of policy development and competence allocation in the EU system.