Elite coordination and popular protest: the joint effect on democratic change

Authoritarian elections offer a window of contestation where a democratic opposition may increase the pressure on authoritarian regimes to implement democratic change. Pressure may come either from popular protest (vertical threats), or from a coordinated counter-elite (lateral threats). Previous research on electoral authoritarianism has emphasized the importance of both lateral and vertical threats for democratization, but have not theorized how these two threats interact to promote higher levels of democracy. We argue that the effect of vertical threats is contingent on the existence of lateral threats. Popular mobilization is more likely to promote democratic change if a unified opposition translates popular grievances to democratic demands. Conversely, a mobilized population increases the probability that a unified opposition will enhance democratic change by increasing the reputational and organizational costs of repression and electoral manipulation. Our theoretical claims are corroborated by statistical analysis of 169 elections, held in 74 electoral autocracies around the globe 1991–2014.     

Unexpected Death in Elephantiasis Due to an Abnormal Life-Style

Abstract:  A 22-year-old man was found dead after he had continued to sit on a reclining chair for 2 years. He had consumed an unbalanced diet, kept wearing the same pair of socks and never washed himself for the term. His skin of bilateral crura developed into elephantiasis with severely festered ulcers on its surface. At autopsy, subcutaneous edema was significant in his lower limbs, and chronic circulatory disturbance of lymphoducts and veins was observed histologically. There were no crucial findings to account for chronic edema in the lower limbs. It has been reported that maintaining a seated posture obstructs both lymphoducts and veins because of bending the groin, decreases their return flow by inducing muscular atrophy, and causes subcutaneous edema in the lower limbs. Oligotrophia and dirt on his limbs might have exacerbated the chronic edema in elephantiasis. We concluded that a long-term abnormal life-style had caused fatal elephantiasis.     

New detection method for uropepsinogen (PGA) using isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting techniques

Uropepsinogen (PGA) was isolated and purified from human urine using a column chromatography series. The purified PGA was injected into a rabbit and a PGA-specific antibody was obtained. PGA isozymogen in human urine could be detected reproducibly by immunoblotting using this antibody after isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF) on polyacrylamide gels. This technique may prove to be useful in the genetic study of PGA polymorphism.     

Identification of semen in stain by determination of the specific activity of L-tartrate-inhibitable acid phosphatase

For identification of semen in stain the specific activity of L-tartrate-inhibitable acid phosphatase (ACP) was determined. With each stain extract, both enzyme activity and protein concentration were determined, and the specific activity (enzyme activity/protein concentration) was calculated. Seminal stains showed a value of 23.8 +/- 15.2 (mean +/- SD) IU/mg protein, while vaginal fluid stains showed a value of 0.088 +/- 0.049 IU/mg protein. Stains of other body fluids did not show any L-tartrate-inhibitable ACP activity. Furthermore, only eight of 30 plant juice stains showed any levels of L-tartrate-inhibitable ACP, although all plants tested showed ACP activity. As the present method enables us to analyze forensic samples quantitatively, it seems to be useful for forensic practice.     

Acephate in biological fluids of two autopsy cases after ingestion of the chemical

Two autopsy cases, where the individuals were suspected of having ingested acephate, an organophosphorous insecticide, are reported. Acephate and its active metabolite, methamidophos (MP), were analyzed in the biological fluids by GC/MS, using the salting out method with liquid-liquid extraction columns. The first case was that of a 70-year-old man whose blood acephate was 149 microg/mL, and MP was 3.0 microg/mL. Serum pseudocholinesterase (ChE) activity was inhibited. No remarkable finding of injury or disease was determined as the cause of his death, but acute poisoning by acephate was mostly suspected. The second case was that of a 60-year-old man. A deep gash in the left neck injured the left common carotid artery in addition to the severely ischemic state of the primary organs. His blood acephate was 46 microg/mL, and MP was not detected. ChE activity was in the normal range. Hemorrhage was mainly suspected as the cause of his death. The concentrations of acephate and MP in human blood after oral ingestion are first reported here, and the acute toxic level of acephate is discussed.     

Economic development of Pacific Rim countries and Southern Africa

This paper examines the economic relationships between Japan and her neighbours as well as commenting on South African relations with the area in general. Brief case‐studies are also selected with emphasis on the economic factors governing the degree of success in development.     

BK virus genotype distribution offers information of tracing the geographical origins of unidentified cadaver

There are no efficient methods to determine the geographic origin of unidentified cadavers. We showed earlier that the geographical distribution of the JC virus genotype detected from human kidneys indicates the host's geographical origin. As there are still cadavers from which we cannot detect the JC virus (JCV), we investigated whether the genotype of another virus species belonging to the same family, human BK virus (BKV), could also be used to detect human geographical origin. BKV was found in 11 of 36 cases (30.5%). Even in the seven JCV-negative cases, the host's geographic origin could be estimated from the BKV genotype. Four subjects were positive for both the BKV and JCV. As the distribution areas of BKV and JCV genotypes are not identical, it is possible to narrow down the geographic area that any cadaver originates from.     

A dot-blot-immunoassay for semen identification using a polyclonal antibody against semenogelin, a powerful seminal marker

Among various seminal plasma proteins, semenogelin (Sg), produced in the seminal vesicle, has been considered a candidate for demonstrating the presence of semen. Sg consists of two proteins, one 52 kDa (Sg-I) in size, and the other a mixture of 71 and 76 kDa proteins (Sg-II). Recombinant Sg-I and Sg-II proteins were obtained using a baculovirus system and then injected into a rabbit to produce the respective antibodies [Characterization of recombinant precursor proteins of the human seminal plasma sperm motility inhibitor synthesized in insect cells, Int. J. Mol. Med. 2 (1998) 693]. When liquefied seminal plasma was immunoblotted with the anti-Sg-I and Sg-II antibodies, the anti-Sg-II antibody identified a wider range of the polypeptides originating from Sg than did the anti-Sg-I antibody. A dot-blot-immunoassay using anti-Sg-II antibody revealed a clear immunoreactive spot even when the semen was diluted 6400-fold. However, this assay showed that the Sg antigen was undetectable in saliva, urine, vaginal secretions, sweat, nasal secretions and serum. To determine the stability of Sg antigenic activity, filter paper with dried semen stains were kept at 37, 4 and 22 degrees C for 1, 6 and 18 months, respectively, and the Sg antigenic activity was examined. The activity was detectable in an area not less than 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm under all of the above environmental conditions during each period. Finally, semen was mixed with saliva or blood at various volumetric ratios, and used as a source of dried stains. The Sg antigenic activity was detectable in the stains until the ratio of semen to saliva or blood reached 1:8. These results suggest that Sg may be useful as a marker for semen identification.