Discourse-based constraints on long-distance dependencies generalize across constructions in English and French.

The article presents four acceptability judgment experiments that evaluate novel predictions of the Focus-Background Conflict constraint (Abeillé et al. 2020, Cognition) with respect to the acceptability of long distance dependencies for so-called "subject islands" in English and French. In contrast with syntactic accounts, the Focus-Background Conflict constraint predicts differential behavior across different constructions.

Extraction from subjects: Differences in acceptability depend on the discourse function of the construction.

In order to explain the unacceptability of certain long-distance dependencies - termed syntactic islands by Ross (1967) - syntacticians proposed constraints on long-distance dependencies which are universal and purely syntactic and thus not dependent on the meaning of the construction (Chomsky, 1977; Chomsky, 1995 a.o.).

Rapid MALDI-TOF MS identification of commercial truffles.

Truffles are edible mushrooms with similar morphological characteristics, that make it difficult to distinguish between highly prized truffles (such as the Périgord black T. melanosporum) and inexpensive truffles (such as the Asian Black T. indicum).

[Exophthalmos in children caused by vascular orbital neoformation].

BACKGROUND--Exophthalmos or proptosis may be a result of several causes; when unilateral, it leads to search a variety of orbital tumors. CASE 1--A 2 month-old baby presented with a right exophthalmos which developed within a few days. Computed tomography showed infiltration of the orbit by a mass.

[Diffuse alveolar pertussis with major hyperleukocytosis with "pseudocentrocytic" contingent].

A 21 month-old unvaccinated boy was admitted for an acute respiratory distress episode associated with major leukocytosis (maximum = 146 G/l). Transient heart failure and pneumomediastinum occurred but the outcome was favourable. Coughing attacks then occurred and the diagnosis of pertussis was serologically confirmed.