bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bank failure intensity modeling: an ACD model approach
Authors: Siakoulis Vasileios 
Published: July 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to employ a duration-based approach to model the inter-arrival times of bank failures in the US banking system for the period of 1934-2014, in line with the suggestions of Focardi and Fabozzi (2005), who used a similar model for explaining contagion in credit portfolios.Design/methodology/approachConditional duration models that allow duration between bank failures to depend linearly or nonlinearly on its past history are estimated and evaluated.FindingsThe authors find evidence of strong persistence along with nonmonotonic hazard rates, which imply a financial contagion pattern, according to which a high frequency of bank failures generates turbulence, which shortly after leads to additional fails, whereas prolonged periods without abnormal events signify the absence of contagious dependence, which increases the relative periods between bank failure appearance. Further, the authors obtain statistically significant results when they allow duration to depend linearly on past information variables that capture systemic bank crisis factors along with stock and bond market effects.Originality/valueThe originality of this study consists in proposing a new time series approach for the prediction of bank probability of default by incorporating a default-risk contagion mechanism. As contagious bank failures are a key topic in macroprudential supervision, this study could be of value for supervisory authorities in setting pro-active actions and tightening regulatory measures.
Young adults’ subjective and objective risk attitude in financial decision making
Authors: Oehler Andreas , Horn Matthias , Wedlich Florian 
Published: July 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to derive the determinants of young adults’ subjective and objective risk attitude in theoretical and real-world financial decisions. Furthermore, a comparison of the factors that influence young adults’ and older adults’ risk attitude is provided.Design/methodology/approachThe paper relies on an experimental setting and a cross-sectional field study using data of the German central bank’s (Deutsche Bundesbank) PHF-Survey.FindingsYoung adults’ objective risk aversion is not constant but increases with stake sizes. Furthermore, young adults’ subjective risk attitude is a better predictor for their objective risk attitude than a set of commonly employed socio-demographics and economics like age or income. Moreover, young adults’ subjective risk attitude works as a mediator for the influence of their investable financial wealth on their objective risk attitude. Although young adults’ subjective risk attitude shows a gender effect, the influence of young adults’ gender on their objective risk attitude decreases with higher stake sizes. Compared to older adults, young adults generally show a similar degree of subjective risk aversion. However, due to stronger financial restrictions, young adults show a higher degree of objective risk aversion.Originality/valueAlthough individuals’ financial outcomes depend on the financial behavior established in young adulthood, there is no study that simultaneously analyzes the determinants of young adults’ subjective and objective risk attitude in real-world financial decisions with a focus on young adults as a separate age group. The paper closes this gap in literature and additionally provides a comparison of the subsamples of young adults and older adults. The analysis in this paper reveals that young adults’ lower engagement in financial markets is primarily driven by their tight budget and not by a fundamental different subjective risk attitude.
Annual ring growth of a widespread high arctic shrub reflects past fluctuations in community‐level plant biomass
Authors: Le Moullec Mathilde , Buchwal Agata , van der Wal René , Sandal Lisa , Hansen Brage Bremset 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Long time series of primary production are rarely available, restricting our mechanistic understanding of vegetation and ecosystem dynamics under climate change. Dendrochronological tools are increasingly used instead, particularly in the Arctic—the world’s most rapidly warming biome. Yet, high‐latitude plant species are subject to strong energy allocation trade‐offs, and whether annual allocations to secondary growth (e.g. “tree‐rings”) actually reflect primary production above‐ground remains unknown. Taking advantage of a unique ground‐based monitoring time series of annual vascular plant biomass in high Arctic Svalbard (78°N), we evaluated how well retrospective ring growth of the widespread dwarf shrub Salix polaris represents above‐ground biomass production of vascular plants.

Using a balanced design in permanent plots for plant biomass monitoring, we collected 30 S. polaris shrubs across five sites in each of two habitats. We established annual ring growth time series using linear mixed‐effects models and related them to weather records and 13 years of above‐ground biomass production in six habitats.

Annual ring growth was positively correlated with above‐ground biomass production of both S. polaris (r = 0.56) and the vascular plant community as a whole (r = 0.70). As for above‐ground biomass, summer temperature was the main driver of ring growth, with this ecological signal becoming particularly clear when accounting for plant, site and habitat heterogeneity. The results suggest that ring growth measurements performed on this abundant shrub can be used to track fluctuations in past vascular plant production of high arctic tundra.

Synthesis. Dendrochronological tools are increasingly used on arctic shrubs to enhance our understanding of vegetation dynamics in the world’s most rapidly warming biome. Fundamental to such applications is the assumption that annual differences in ring growth reflect between‐year variation in above‐ground biomass production. We showed that ring growth indeed was a robust proxy for the annual above‐ground productivity of both the focal shrub and the vascular plant community as a whole. Despite the challenges of constructing ring growth chronologies from irregularly growing arctic shrubs, our findings confirm that shrub dendrochronology can open new opportunities for community‐dynamic studies, including in remote places where annual field sampling is difficult to achieve.
Citizen perceptions of public management: Hybridisation and post‐new public management in Japan and New Zealand
Authors: Goldfinch Shaun , Yamamoto Kiyoshi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAn older body of research claims variously: a world‐wide transformation from new public management (NPM) to new public governance or post new public management (post‐NPM); a ‘layering’, where new management rhetoric and techniques are layered upon existing ones; or a ‘hybridisation’ synthesised from competing systems. More recent studies, particularly in central and Eastern Europe, suggest a nuanced and context‐specific degree of transformation. Influenced by a growing research interest in citizen perceptions of public management, this study expands this more nuanced approach by surveying local government public management perceptions of 1,140 New Zealand and 3,100 Japanese citizen online survey respondents. Using principal component analysis, we show both New Zealand and Japan exhibit degrees of hybridisation of public management paradigms, with Japan exhibiting a higher degree of eclecticism.
Generalised quasi‐likelihood inference in a semi‐parametric binary dynamic mixed logit model
Authors: Zheng Nan , Sutradhar Brajendra C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThere exists a recent study where dynamic mixed‐effects regression models for count data have been extended to a semi‐parametric context. However, when one deals with other discrete data such as binary responses, the results based on count data models are not directly applicable. In this paper, we therefore begin with existing binary dynamic mixed models and generalise them to the semi‐parametric context. For inference, we use a new semi‐parametric conditional quasi‐likelihood (SCQL) approach for the estimation of the non‐parametric function involved in the semi‐parametric model, and a semi‐parametric generalised quasi‐likelihood (SGQL) approach for the estimation of the main regression, dynamic dependence and random effects variance parameters. A semi‐parametric maximum likelihood (SML) approach is also used as a comparison to the SGQL approach. The properties of the estimators are examined both asymptotically and empirically. More specifically, the consistency of the estimators is established and finite sample performances of the estimators are examined through an intensive simulation study.
Comparing paper‐based and electronic multiple‐choice examinations with personal devices: Impact on students' performance, self‐efficacy and satisfaction
Authors: Nardi Andrea , Ranieri Maria 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNowadays the size of university classes along with the growing number of students to be tested for final examination raise unprecedented challenges relating to the management, monitoring and evaluation of learning. Technology may provide some solutions that deserve to be investigated. This paper explores the potentialities and limitations of Computer‐Based Testing (CBT), specifically BYOD e‐test, compared to traditional Paper‐Based Testing (PBT) to verify whether, and to what extent, an electronic mode of assessment can become a suitable alternative to PBT. It is based on a study carried out at the University of Florence during 2016/17. 606 students participated in the study, of whom 443 opted for CBT using their own devices, while 163 preferred PBT. Participants who experienced CBT also answered a survey on perceptions, self‐efficacy and satisfaction. The results show that students' performances were better with CBT, and that a positive relationship exists between the perceived level of self‐efficacy and the propensity to adopt digital tests. In addition, students greatly appreciated the electronic system, especially for the possibility of immediate feedback. Some critical issues emerged relating to on‐screen reading, which suggests the need for careful design of testing tools.
New insights into the stratigraphic and structural evolution of the middle Jurassic S. Neuquén Basin from Detrital Zircon (U‐Th)/(He‐Pb) and Apatite (U‐Th)/He ages
Authors: Pujols Edgardo J. , Leva López Julio , Stockli Daniel F. , Rossi Valentina M. , Steel Ronald J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPrevious studies on the Lower‐Middle Jurassic Cuyo Group in the southern Neuquén Basin, Argentina, have discussed evidence for pre‐ and syn‐depositional structural inversion during pre‐Andean shortening. While the Cuyo Group sequence stratigraphic and facies framework are well understood, the effects of structural inversion and progressive postrift thermal subsidence on sediment provenance and dispersal, as well as the timing and magnitude of deformation during and after Cuyo Group deposition, remain poorly constrained. The Cuyo Group comprises both reservoir‐quality fluvial to deep‐marine siliciclastic deposits and a petroleum source‐rock. Thus, the temporal relationship between the onset of deformation and sediment dispersal are crucial aspects for an improved understanding of both the basin evolution and petroleum system. This study presents new detrital zircon (U‐Th)/(He‐Pb) double dating from the Los Molles and Lajas Formations of the Cuyo Group in the southern area of SW Zapala to evaluate the influence of early rift inversion on sediment routing, provenance, and palaeogeography, and to provide crucial chronostratigraphic constraints. The youngest concordant Jurassic detrital zircon (DZ) U‐Pb and He ages from the Lajas and Los Molles Formations in Lohan Mahuida and La Jardinera areas suggest a late Middle Jurassic depositional age. The DZ U‐Pb provenance analysis confirms that both formations are part of the same Middle Jurassic shelf margin and were both sourced from the Choiyoi basement, Late Triassic to Middle Jurassic Andean magmatic arc and pre‐Cuyo Group strata. The detrital He (DZHe) ages provide additional provenance constraints by recording three discrete cooling events, (1) early‐Late Triassic, (2) early‐Early Jurassic, and (3) Middle‐Late Jurassic, documenting tectonically driven exhumation during rifting and contractional stages prior to and during early Neuquén basin evolution. Triassic‐Jurassic He cooling ages of zircons derived from the Choiyoi Group document the existence of pre‐Cuyo Pangean extensional structures and basins in the source area. Furthermore, the abundance of rapidly cool DZHe ages requires rapid exhumation of both Choiyoi and Carboniferous basement. All of this evidence suggests that structural inversion in the Huincul ridge region started in the Middle Jurassic, earlier than previously proposed. Hence, this challenges conventional Cuyo Group tectono‐depositional models that advocated postrift thermal sagging as the primary control on subsidence and deposition. The occurrence of first‐cycle volcanic (U‐Th)/(He‐Pb) ages implies that the Cuyo Group burial never reached depths >4–5 kilometres. Exhumation to shallower crustal depths was spatially partitioned and driven by Cenozoic Andean shortening as constrained by AHe ages.
Pifithrin‐μ modulates microglial activation and promotes histological recovery following spinal cord injury
Authors: Caponegro Michael D. , Torres Luisa F. , Rastegar Cyrus , Rath Nisha , Anderson Maria E. , Robinson John K. , Tsirka Stella E. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBackgroundTreatments immediately after spinal cord injury (SCI) are anticipated to decrease neuronal death, disruption of neuronal connections, demyelination, and inflammation, and to improve repair and functional recovery. Currently, little can be done to modify the acute phase, which extends to the first 48 hours post‐injury. Efforts to intervene have focused on the subsequent phases — secondary (days to weeks) and chronic (months to years) — to both promote healing, prevent further damage, and support patients suffering from SCI.MethodsWe used a contusion model of SCI in female mice, and delivered a small molecule reagent during the early phase of injury. Histological and behavioral outcomes were assessed and compared.ResultsWe find that the reagent Pifithrin‐μ (PFT‐μ) acts early and directly on microglia in vitro, attenuating their activation. When administered during the acute phase of SCI, PFT‐μ resulted in reduced lesion size during the initial inflammatory phase, and reduced the numbers of pro‐inflammatory microglia and macrophages. Treatment with PFT‐μ during the early stage of injury maintained a stable anti‐inflammatory environment.ConclusionsOur results indicate that a small molecule reagent PFT‐μ has sustained immunomodulatory effects following a single dose after injury.
Empagliflozin compared with glimepiride in metformin‐treated patients with type 2 diabetes: 208‐week data from a masked randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ridderstråle Martin , Rosenstock Julio , Andersen Knut R. , Woerle Hans J. , Salsali Afshin ,   on behalf of the EMPA‐REG H2H‐SU trial investigators
Published: July 2018

AimTo report results at week 208, including a 104‐week masked extension, of the EMPA‐REG H2H‐SU trial in patients with type 2 diabetes with inadequate glycaemic control on metformin, in which empagliflozin 25 mg given for 104 weeks provided a sustained reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) with a small but statistically significant benefit vs glimepiride, sustained reductions in weight and blood pressure, and low risk of hypoglycaemia.Research Design and MethodsPatients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c 53‐86 mmol/mol (7% to 10%) were randomized to empagliflozin 25 mg or glimepiride 1 to 4 mg for 104 weeks as add‐on to metformin. Patients who completed the randomized treatment period could participate in a 104‐week extension in which they continued the double‐blind treatment allocated at randomization.ResultsOf 765 and 780 patients treated with empagliflozin and glimepiride, 576 and 549 patients, respectively, entered the extension period of the study. At week 208, the adjusted mean difference in change from baseline in HbA1c with empagliflozin vs glimepiride was −1.96 mmol/mol, 95% CI −3.57, −0.35 (−0.18%, 95% CI −0.33, −0.03); P = 0.0172. Rescue therapy was given to 23% of patients on empagliflozin and 34% on glimepiride (odds ratio 0.56 [95% CI 0.45, 0.71]; P < 0.0001). Confirmed hypoglycaemic adverse events (plasma glucose ≤3.9 mmol/L and/or requiring assistance) occurred in 3% of patients on empagliflozin and 28% on glimepiride (odds ratio 0.08 [95% CI 0.05, 0.13]; P < 0.0001).ConclusionsIn patients with type 2 diabetes, empagliflozin 25 mg as add‐on to metformin for 208 weeks reduced HbA1c with a significantly lower risk of hypoglycaemia and a significantly smaller proportion of patients receiving rescue therapy compared with glimepiride.
Cardiac shock wave therapy improves myocardial perfusion and preserves left ventricular mechanics in patients with refractory angina: A study with speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Duque Anderson S. , Ceccon Conrado L. , Mathias Wilson , Majesky Joana Diniz , Gowdak Luis H. , Sbano João C. N. , Cesar Luis Antonio Machado , Abduch Maria Cristina , Lima Márcio S. M. , Dourado Paulo M. M. , Cruz Cecilia B. B. V. , Tsutsui Jeane M. 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundCardiac shockwave therapy (CSWT) is a new potential option for the treatment of patients with chronic coronary disease and refractory angina (RA). We aimed to study the effects of CSWT on left ventricular myocardial perfusion and mechanics in patients with RA.MethodWe prospectively studied 19 patients who underwent CSWT. Left ventricular mechanics were evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), and myocardial perfusion by single‐photon emission computed tomography, using stress/rest–Technetium‐99 m Sestamibi, for determination of summed stress score (SSS). Canadian Cardiac Society (CCS), New York Heart Association (NYHA), and quality of life by Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) were assessed at baseline and 6 months after therapy.ResultsCSWT therapy was applied without major side effects. At baseline, 18 patients (94.7%) had CCS class III or IV, and after CSWT there was reduction to 3 (15.8%), P = .0001, associated with improvement in SAQ (38.5%; P < .001). Thirteen (68.4%) had class NYHA III or IV before treatment, with significant reduction to 7 (36.8%); P = .014. No change was observed in the global SSS from baseline to 6‐month follow‐up (15.33 ± 8.60 vs 16.60 ± 8.06; P = .157). However, there was a significant reduction in the average SSS of the treated ischemic segments (2.1 ± 0.87 pre vs 1.6 ± 1.19 post CSWT; P = .024). Global longitudinal strain by STE remained unaltered (‐13.03 ± 8.96 pre vs ‐15.88 ± 3.43 6‐month post CSWT; P = .256).ConclusionCSWT is a safe procedure for the treatment of patients with RA that results in better quality of life, improvement in myocardial perfusion of the treated segments with preservation of left ventricular mechanics.
Normative reference data, determinants, and clinical implications of right atrial reservoir function in women assessed by 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography
Authors: Brand Anna , Bathe Marny , Hübscher Anne , Baldenhofer Gerd , Hättasch Robert , Seeland Ute , Oertelt‐Prigione Sabine , Rücke Mirjam , Regitz‐Zagrosek Vera , Stangl Karl , Dreger Henryk , Stangl Verena , Knebel Fabian 
Published: July 2018

AimWe aim to determine normative reference data of phasic right atrial (RA) strain and to investigate determinants, possible clinical implications as well as feasibility and reproducibility of RA strain analysis.Methods and ResultsRight atrial strain was analyzed in 266 participants of the cross‐sectional Berlin Female Risk Evaluation (BEFRI) study using 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2D STE). To determine reference values, phasic RA strain was determined in a subgroup of 123 individuals without known cardiovascular diseases or risk factors. Mean RA reservoir strain (RAS), RA conduit, and contraction strain in this reference group were 44.9 ± 11.6%, 27.1 ± 9.5%, and 17.0 ± 5.9%, respectively. Regarding possible clinical implications, RAS was significantly reduced in women with a BMI ≥ 25, compared with women with a BMI < 25 (35.5 ± 11.1% vs 43.4 ± 11.6%, P < 0.0001). RA strain analysis showed a good feasibility (92.7%); intra‐ and inter‐observer variability was low (<5%). BMI, global longitudinal peak systolic LV strain (LVGLS%), RA area, TAPSE, and early diastolic myocardial relaxation velocity of the RV (RV‐e′) were significantly associated with RA mechanics in a multivariate logistic regression analysis.ConclusionIn this cross‐sectional trial, we determined reference values, feasibility and reproducibility, clinical and echocardiographic determinants, and possible clinical implications of RA strain analysis. Our data may help to introduce the analysis of RA mechanics into future echocardiographic routine use.
High intraspecific variability in morphology and diet in tropical stream fish communities
Authors: Manna Luisa Resende , Villéger Sébastien , Rezende Carla Ferreira , Mazzoni Rosana 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFunctional diversity of fish communities has been measured according to (a) interspecific variability, assuming that intraspecific variability is negligible, or (b) morphological differences, as good descriptors of complex functions, such as diet. These two assumptions have been scarcely tested on the individual level, especially in species‐rich tropical ecosystems. Here, we adapted intraspecific specialisation (ISpe) and intraspecific originality indices (IOri) to assess complementary components of intraspecific variability. Next, we applied these indices to evaluate the intra‐ and interspecific variability of morphological and diet traits in two contrasting Brazilian stream‐dwelling fish assemblages (rainforest and savannah). We also compared correlations between morphology and diet at the individual and species level to test whether accounting for intraspecific variability increases the predictability of diet due to morphological differences. Significant contributions of intraspecific variability to differences between fish were revealed for morphology and diet. Intraspecific variability in the diet was higher than that in morphology in both assemblages. The ISpe was positively correlated to IOri in the diet of both ecosystems. The morphological–dietary relationships were significant but weak at both individual and species levels. Our findings highlight the importance of measuring individual variability and accounting for complementary components of the intraspecific variability (ISpe and IOri). Importantly, we showed that the variability in morphology does not predict diet variability at both intra‐ and interspecific levels. Thus, high intraspecific variability in morphology and diet challenges the use of functional traits measured at the species level to describe the functional diversity of different fish assemblages.