Different paths to the modern state in Europe: the interaction between domestic political economy and interstate competition

Theoretical work on state formation and capacity has focused mostly on early modern Europe and on the experience of western European states during this period. While a number of European states monopolized domestic tax collection and achieved gains in state capacity during the early modern era, for others revenues stagnated or even declined, and these variations motivated alternative hypotheses for determinants of fiscal and state capacity. In this study we test the basic hypotheses in the existing literature making use of the large date set we have compiled for all of the leading states across the continent. We find strong empirical support for two prevailing threads in the literature, arguing respectively that interstate wars and changes in economic structure towards an urbanized economy had positive fiscal impact. Regarding the main point of contention in the theoretical literature, whether it was representative or authoritarian political regimes that facilitated the gains in fiscal capacity, we do not find conclusive evidence that one performed better than the other. Instead, the empirical evidence we have gathered lends supports to the hypothesis that when under pressure of war, the fiscal performance of representative regimes was better in the more urbanized-commercial economies and the fiscal performance of authoritarian regimes was better in rural-agrarian economie

polycystic ovary syndrome

To evaluate the effects of ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate (EE-CA) treatment on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, and body fat distribution in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) after 6-month treatment. Subjects and methods: Thirty women with PCOS were evaluated before and after 6 months of EE-CA treatment. Anthropometrical measurements, hormonal levels, lipid and glucose profile were evaluated. Body fat thickness in four regions and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) were measured. Interval change in antropometric measurements, glucose and lipid profile, carotid IMT and body fat distribution was evaluated before and after 6-month EE-CA treatment. Results: Ferriman-Gallwey score and serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased after EE-CA treatment (p < 0.01). No significant effect was detected on insulin resistance, lipid profile and carotid artery IMT. The visceral, subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thicknesses decreased, and mid-thigh fat thickness increased after treatment period. However, only the alteration in subcutaneous fat thickness achieved a statistical significance (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The EE-CA is an effective regimen in treatment of hirsutism and menstrual regulation. Although it provides significant decrease in subcutaneous fat thickness after 6-month treatment, it has no beneficial effect with respect to visceral fat thickness, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors

A giant rhinocerotoid (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the Late Oligocene of north-central Anatolia (Turkey)

International audienceA giant rhinocerotoid is described for the first time south of the Black Sea, in Turkey. The single specimen, a fragmentary radius referred to Paraceratherium sp., originates from conglomerates nearby at Gozukizilli, in the Cankiri-Corum Tertiary basin. These layers correspond to the Lower member of the Kizilirmak Formation. The same locality (Gozukizilli-2) yields also the small rhinocerotid Protaceratherium sp., cf. P. albigense (Roman, 1912). Three other mammal localities (Gozukizilli-1, in the Lower Member of the formation, with several rodent species; Tepe 641 and Kizilirmak, in the Upper Member, with a diversified micro- and macro-mammal fauna) allow us to refer the Kizilirmak Formation as a whole to the Late Oligocene. All the observed taxa have strong Asian and/or European affinities, which precludes any geographical insulation for this part of Anatolia during the Late Oligocene

An unusual form of unicornuate uterus with noncommunicating rudimentary horn: Case report and review of the literature

Background: Congenital uterine anomalies are the most common form of female reproductive tract anomalies. The anomalies are classified into seven major categories in which unicornuate uterus is part of the class II group. Unicornuate uterus with a noncommunicating cavitary rudimentary horn in a young female may present with lower-quadrant tenderness, an abnormal mass, and cyclic or noncyclic pelvic pain that mimics acute appendicitis when localized in the right lower quadrant. Case: This article reports an unusual form of unicornuate uterus in a 14-year-old girl presenting with severe dysmenorrhea and right lower-quadrant tenderness. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a small uterus and a hypoechogenic solid tubular right pelvic mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a centrally cystic solid mass in the right pelvic region. Results: The mass was removed via laparotomy and proved to be a rudimentary horn separate from the uterus and bowel lying freely in the right lower quadrant. Conclusions: Uterine anomalies mimicking an acute abdomen as appendicitis must be kept in mind in postmenarchal young patients presenting with cyclic pelvic pain, lower quadrant tenderness, and an abnormal mass. MRI examination as a complement to ultrasound should be the imaging modality used to make the correct diagnosis. In cases of unicornuate uterus with a cavitary communicating or noncommunicating rudimentary horn, surgical removal of the rudimentary horn is indicated to avoid potential complications. © 2012 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc

Evaluation of body fat distribution in PCOS and its association with carotid atherosclerosis and insulin resistance

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare body fat distribution in PCOS with healthy controls and to investigate the factors associated with carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) and insulin resistance. Subjects and Methods: A case control study was conducted in 46 women with PCOS and 43 age matched controls. Anthropometrical measurements, hormonal levels, lipid and glucose profile were evaluated. Body fat thickness in four regions and carotid IMT were measured. Body fat distribution was compared between groups. Correlation of these parameters with carotid artery IMT and insulin resistance was investigated. Result(s): Visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness and the mean carotid artery IMT were significantly higher in PCOS subjects (p < 0.01). In correlation analysis, age, body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) showed correlation with carotid artery IMT (r = 0,55, p < 0,001; r = 0.41, p < 0.008 and r = 0.34 p = 0.03, respectively), whereas visceral fat thickness presented a correlation with HOMA-IR index as a sign of insulin resistance. Conclusion(s): Fat accumulation is more prominent in visceral and subcutaneous regions in PCOS. Increased BMI and abdominal type of obesity are closely related to the increased carotid artery IMT and insulin resistance. Weight control and regional weight loss are important part of the treatment for the future health of women with PCOS

Modification of electronic structure, magnetic structure, and topological phase of bismuthene by point defects

Akturk, Ethem/0000-0002-1615-7841; Demirci, Salih/0000-0002-1272-9603WOS: 000418655400016This paper reveals how the electronic structure, magnetic structure, and topological phase of two-dimensional (2D), single-layer structures of bismuth are modified by point defects. We first showed that a free-standing, single-layer, hexagonal structure of bismuth, named h-bismuthene, exhibits nontrivial band topology. We then investigated interactions between single foreign adatoms and bismuthene structures, which comprise stability, bonding, electronic structure, and magnetic structures. Localized states in diverse locations of the band gap and resonant states in band continua of bismuthene are induced upon the adsorption of different adatoms, which modify electronic and magnetic properties. Specific adatoms result in reconstruction around the adsorption site. Single vacancies and divacancies can form readily in bismuthene structures and remain stable at high temperatures. Through rebondings, Stone-Whales-type defects are constructed by divacancies, which transform into a large hole at high temperature. Like adsorbed adatoms, vacancies induce also localized gap states, which can be eliminated through rebondings in divacancies. We also showed that not only the optical and magnetic properties, but also the topological features of pristine h-bismuthene can be modified by point defects. The modification of the topological features depends on the energies of localized states and also on the strength of coupling between point defects.TUBA, Turkish Academy of Sciences (Turkey); Research Fund of Adnan Menderes University (Turkey) [MF-16004]The computational resources are provided by TUBITAK ULAKBIM, High Performance and Grid Computing Center (TR-Grid e-Infrastructure). S.C. acknowledge financial support from TUBA, Turkish Academy of Sciences (Turkey). This research was supported by Research Fund of Adnan Menderes University (Turkey), Project No. MF-16004. We thank Dominik Gresch for helpful discussions on operating Z2-PACK