bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
After the Paris Agreement: What Role for the BRICS in Global Climate Governance?
Authors: Downie Christian , Williams Marc 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe rising power of the BRICS is now at the centre of debates about the future of global governance. Despite the consensus that the political, economic and strategic differences between the BRICS trump the commonalities, the BRICS have managed a level of cooperation that has exceeded expectations. This has led to inquiries about their influence on several policy domains, especially global finance. However, less attention has been given to the role of the BRICS in global climate governance, especially in the aftermath of the Paris climate agreement in 2015. Following the Paris Agreement, and the US' withdrawal, this paper examines the capacity of the BRICS to re‐shape global climate governance. Based on an analysis of the emissions profile of the BRICS, and multilateral and bilateral meetings between BRICS countries since 2015, it argues that while significant obstacles to the BRICS acting as a coalition remain, there are areas that can be identified where cooperation could be scaled up in coming years.
North‐South Negotiations about Financing for Development: State, Society and Market in the Global Age
Authors: Freeman Dena 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn contemporary global politics different actors seek to create contrasting world orders through the existing mechanisms of global deliberation and policy making. This article draws on the anthropology of policy to elucidate some of the different potential world orders that are being discussed today. Developing the concept of ‘policy vision’, the article seeks to bring into focus the different policy visions currently being proposed by the countries of the North and those of the South in global policy negotiations at the United Nations. To do this it critically scrutinizes the divergent North‐South positions in the negotiations leading up to the 2015UNFinancing for Development conference in Addis Ababa and draws out their divergent visions of alternative world orders. The conclusion sets these alternative world orders within Dani Rodrik's ‘political trilemma of the global economy’ and considers their implications for the future of state, society and market in the global age.
Daily Patterns of Marijuana and Alcohol Co‐Use Among Individuals with Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorders
Authors: Metrik Jane , Gunn Rachel L. , Jackson Kristina M. , Sokolovsky Alexander W. , Borsari Brian 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundThe study aims were to examine daily associations between marijuana and alcohol use and the extent to which the association differs as a function of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and/or alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis.MethodsTimeline Followback interview data was collected in a study of veterans (N = 127) recruited from a Veterans Affairs hospital who reported at least 1 day of co‐use of marijuana and alcohol in the past 180 days (22,860 observations). Participants reported 40% marijuana use days, 28% drinking days, with 37% meeting DSM‐5 criteria for CUD, 40% for AUD, and 15% for both. Use of marijuana on a given day was used to predict a 3‐level gender‐adjusted drinking variable (heavy: ≥5 (men)/4 (women) drinks; moderate: 1 to 4/3 drinks; or none: 0 drinks). A categorical 4‐level variable (no diagnosis, AUD, CUD, or both) was tested as a moderator of the marijuana–alcohol relationship.ResultsMultilevel modeling analyses demonstrated that participants were more likely to drink heavily compared to moderately (OR = 2.34) and moderately compared to not drinking (OR = 1.61) on marijuana use days relative to nonuse days. On marijuana use days, those with AUD and those with AUD + CUD were more likely to drink heavily (OR = 1.91; OR = 2.51, respectively), but those with CUD were less likely to drink heavily (OR = 0.32) compared to moderately, nonsignificant differences between any versus moderate drinking in interaction models.ConclusionsHeavy drinking occurs on days when marijuana is also used. This association is particularly evident in individuals diagnosed with both AUD and CUD and AUDs alone but not in those with only CUDs. Findings suggest that alcohol interventions may need to specifically address marijuana use as a risk factor for heavy drinking and AUD.
Add‐On Memantine Treatment for Bipolar II Disorder Comorbid with Alcohol Dependence: A 12‐Week Follow‐Up Study
Authors: Lee Sheng‐Yu , Wang Tzu‐Yun , Chen Shiou‐Lan , Chang Yun‐Hsuan , Chen Po‐See , Huang San‐Yuan , Tzeng Nian‐Sheng , Wang Liang‐Jen , Lee I. Hui , Chen Kao Ching , Yang Yen Kuang , Hong Jau‐Shyong , Lu Ru‐Band 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundBipolar disorder (BD), especially BD‐II, is frequently comorbid with alcohol dependence. Because BD‐II and alcohol dependence are neurodegenerative disorders, agents with anti‐inflammatory and neurotrophic effects might provide effective therapy. We investigated whether add‐on memantine to regular valproic acid treatment ameliorated clinical symptoms, reduced alcohol use, and cytokine levels, and increased plasma brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in BD‐II patients with comorbid alcohol dependence.MethodsIn a single‐arm 12‐week clinical trial, BD‐II patients with comorbid alcohol dependence (n = 45) undergoing regular valproic acid treatments were given add‐on memantine (5 mg/d). Symptom severity, alcohol use, cytokine (plasma tumor necrosis factor‐α and C‐reactive protein [CRP], transforming growth factor‐β1 [TGF‐β1], interleukin‐8 [IL‐8], IL‐10), and plasma BDNF levels were regularly assessed.ResultsMean within‐group decreases in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores, alcohol use, CRP, BDNF, and IL‐8 levels were significantly different from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment. We found no significant correlation between alcohol use levels and changes in HDRS or YMRS scores. The correlation between reduced alcohol use and reduced TGF‐β1 level was significant (B = 0.003, p = 0.019).ConclusionsBD‐II comorbid with alcohol dependence might benefit from add‐on memantine treatment, which significantly reduced clinical severity, alcohol use, and plasma cytokine levels, and increased BDNF levels.
The association between dividend payout and firm growth: Australian evidence
Authors: Dempsey Michael , Gunasekarage Abeyratna , Truong Thanh Tan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe report that whereas firms with high earnings distributions tend to have low‐to‐moderate growth (consistent with conventional theory), firms with low earnings distributions run the range between high and low performers. We interpret our findings for firm growth and payout policy in relation to the firm's location on the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix that combines high/low growth with high/low market share. Our findings suggest that the market has difficulty in distinguishing between these types of firms. A concern is that investor preferences as an outcome may be focussed on dividend‐paying firms at the expense of younger growing firms in need of retained earnings.
Stress distributions in internal resorption cavities restored with different materials at different root levels: A finite element analysis study
Authors: Aslan Tuğrul , Üstün Yakup , Esim Emir 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the stresses within simulated roots with internal resorption cavities at the apical, middle and coronal root levels, after obturation with gutta‐percha and/or MTA utilising finite element analysis (FEA). Mandibular premolar teeth with internal resorption cavities at different root levels were modelled. Models were restored with gutta‐percha and/or MTA. An oblique force of 300 N was applied and stress evaluations were carried out. In the MTA‐filled resorption models, the stresses were distributed more homogeneously than the gutta‐percha filled models, and the stress concentrations were lower in the remaining dentinal tissues. If the whole root is considered, the fully gutta‐percha‐filled models generated the highest stress values. Differences between the fully MTA‐filled models and hybrid techniques were present only in the apical resorption models. Both the MTA and combination of MTA and gutta‐percha can be suggested for use in clinical practice, in cases of internal root resorption cavity obturation.
Local and regional drivers of the African coffee white stem borer (Monochamus leuconotus) in Uganda
Authors: Liebig Theresa , Babin Régis , Ribeyre Fabienne , Läderach Peter , van Asten Piet , Poehling Hans‐Michael , Jassogne Laurence , Cilas Christian , Avelino Jacques 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe African coffee white stem borer (CWSB) Monochamus leuconotus is a destructive pest of Arabica coffee in Africa. Documentation on outbreaks, spatiotemporal development and the relationship with different environmental conditions and coffee production system is limited.
To underpin effective control measures, we studied aspects of local and regional pest drivers in Eastern Uganda.
At the local scale, we (i) characterized the temporal development of CWSB and explored associations with environmental and shade‐related indicators. During two growing seasons and on 84 coffee plots, we recorded CWSB incidence/infestation and microclimate on an altitudinal gradient and different shading systems. The bimodal rainfall, altitude and shade affected CWSB development through their effect on minimum temperature.
At the landscape level, we (ii) analyzed the spatial pattern of CWSB. Data on CWSB were collected on 180 plots. Pest incidence showed a spatial arrangement varying by districts. A possible relationship with human movement and the landscape context contributing to pest spread is suggested.
CWSB control measures should be synchronized with the bimodal rainfall patterns and an emphasis should be given to identifying and limiting pathways of pest spread from highly infested to new areas.
Mitochondria, glycogen, and lipid droplets in skeletal muscle during testosterone treatment and strength training: a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Jensen R. C. , Christensen L. L. , Nielsen J. , Schrøder H. D. , Kvorning T. , Gejl K. , Højlund K. , Glintborg D. , Andersen M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryLow testosterone levels in aging men are associated with insulin resistance. Mitochondrial dysfunction, changes in glycogen metabolism, and lipid accumulation are linked to insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. In this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study, we investigated the effects of six‐month testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and strength training (ST) on mitochondrial, glycogen, and lipid droplet (LD) content in skeletal muscle of aging men with subnormal bioavailable testosterone (BioT) levels. Mitochondrial, glycogen, and LD volume fractions in muscle biopsies were estimated by transmission electron microscopy. Insulin sensitivity (insulin‐stimulated Rd) and body composition were assessed by euglycemic‐hyperinsulinemic clamp and dual X‐ray absorptiometry, respectively. TRT significantly increased total testosterone levels, BioT, and lean body mass (LBM) (p < 0.05), whereas percent body fat decreased (p < 0.05), and insulin sensitivity was unchanged. Baseline mitochondrial volume fraction correlated inversely with percent body fat (ρ = −0.43; p = 0.003). Δ‐mitochondrial fraction correlated positively with Δ‐total testosterone (ρ = 0.70; p = 0.02), and Δ‐glycogen fraction correlated inversely with Δ‐LBM (ρ = −0.83; p = 0.002) during six‐month TRT, but no significant changes were observed in mitochondrial, glycogen, and LD volume fractions during TRT and ST. In conclusion, in this exploratory small‐scale study, the beneficial effects of six‐month TRT on total testosterone, LBM, and percent body fat were not followed by significant changes in fractions of mitochondria, glycogen, or lipid in skeletal muscle of aging men with lowered testosterone levels. Six‐month ST or combined three‐month ST+TRT did not change intramyocellular mitochondria, glycogen, and LD fractions compared to placebo. However, further studies with a larger sample size are needed.
“It is loved and it is defended”: Critical Solidarity Across Race and Place
Authors: Negrín da Silva Diana 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSince 2010, the Wixárika (Huichol) indigenous people of western Mexico have struggled against transnational mining activity in their sacred pilgrimage site of Wirikuta in the semi‐desertic plateaus of San Luis Potosí. This struggle has been accompanied by a multitude of non‐indigenous and largely urban actors who have joined the Wixárika, bringing with them their own cultural, political and geographic registers for understanding and mobilising against mining in the region. Taking Wirikuta as a contemporary demonstration of interracial and cross‐geographic alliance building, I analyse how social movements that express solidarity and affective ties with the territories and cultures of indigenous peoples struggle to unsettle entrenched racial and spatial relations.
Did poor eyesight influence Goya's late works? Medicine and art history in search for an interpretation of Goya's late paintings
Authors: Pérez‐Trullén José M. , Ascaso Francisco J. , Auría María J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this article is to ‘determine’ the scope of Goya's eyesight difficulties and assess the extent to which those difficulties might explain his style of painting in the last years of his life.MethodsWe analyse the correspondence and late works of the Aragonese painter Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746–1828), who has been admired for his use of colour, his energetic loose brushstrokes, his disregard for details and his bold compositions, as well as for his different artistic styles throughout his life.ResultsThe evolution of Goya's style of painting in his later works seems to have been the consequence of an eyesight condition, probably age‐related cataracts at an advanced stage. The faded dark backgrounds, which become blurred with the silhouette of the person portrayed, could indicate a certain degree of eye strain. This can be traced in all these works, but is especially evident in the unfinished portrait of Pío de Molina (1827–1828), as well as in the portraits of Mariano Goya, the artist′s grandson (1827), and Jacques Galos (1826).ConclusionIt has been considered that the late and isolated Goya′s sight problems were a belated consequence of his severe illness of 1792. Nevertheless, in our opinion, this is a simplistic explanation and, given the painter's age, it is logical to presume that their cause could be age‐related lens opacities. This article argues that medicine may become a subsidiary science to art history, as it can provide empirical evidence of the way painters' illnesses may have a strong impact on their artworks.
The prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction, tear film and ocular surface parameters in an Austrian dry eye clinic population
Authors: Rabensteiner Dieter Franz , Aminfar Haleh , Boldin Ingrid , Schwantzer Gerold , Horwath‐Winter Jutta 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and its association with tear film and ocular surface parameters in an Austrian clinical population of dry eye patients.MethodsThe records of 1372 consecutive patients from a dry eye unit were analysed retrospectively. Symptoms and objective tear film and ocular surface parameters were evaluated. Patients were classified into pure MGD, pure aqueous tear deficiency (ATD), MGD combined with ATD, pure anterior blepharitis (AB), Sjogren's syndrome (SS) without MGD and SS together with MGD.ResultsNine‐hundred and sixty‐five patients, that is 70.3% of the investigated population, mean age 55.4 ± 16.6 years, had signs of MGD. Of these, 684 (70.9%) were female. The intensity of symptoms did not differ between subgroups. Four hundred and ninety (50.8%) MGD patients had Schirmer test values ≤10 mm/5 min. The fluorescein break‐up time and Schirmer test values were significantly higher in the pure AB and MGD group. The pure MGD group showed a significantly lower fluorescein staining of the cornea compared to the other groups, except for pure AB. Lissamine green staining of the ocular surface was present in all groups, but was at least pronounced in the pure MGD and AB group.ConclusionMeibomian gland dysfunction is a major cause of ocular discomfort and could often be found in combination with a reduced aqueous tear secretion. Although the intensity of subjective complaints was similar to all other subgroups, pure MGD exhibited the lowest severity of signs of ocular surface damage and also affected younger people.
Evolution of fundus autofluorescence patterns over time in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Zola Marta , Chatziralli Irini , Menon Deepthy , Schwartz Roy , Hykin Phil , Sivaprasad Sobha 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeTo determine the evolution of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) patterns in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) over time.MethodsWe retrospectively studied the changes in FAF patterns over time in 157 eyes of 112 patients with chronic CSCR using the Heidelberg Retina Angiography with a 488‐nm excitation light and a 500‐nm cutoff barrier filter.ResultsThe mean duration of follow‐up was 37.2 months. The most common baseline pattern was that of granular hypoautofluorescence (51.0%). The earliest change in chronic CSCR is diffuse hyperautofluorescence and it occurs approximately 4 months after the reported first episode. The most common change observed at this stage is a change within areas of hyperautofluorescence where hyper‐reflective dots appeared or disappeared. Change in FAF patterns from areas of hyperautofluorescence to hypoautofluorescence was slow. Only 25% of eyes showed such a change in pattern by 36 months. It takes an average of 24 months for granular hypoautofluorescent pattern to develop confluent hypoautofluorescence. There were no predictive patterns for the development of confluent CSCR.ConclusionFundus autofluorescence (FAF) changes in CSCR evolve very gradually and so is not a good outcome measure for clinical trials.
Patient with mediastinitis caused by delayed mucosal damage after peroral endoscopic myotomy
Authors: Okada Hiroki , Shiwaku Hironari , Yamashita Kanefumi , Ohmiya Toshihiro , Inoue Haruhiro , Hasegawa Suguru 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPeroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a groundbreaking procedure for treating esophageal achalasia, and many reports from various facilities have described its safety and efficacy. However, there have been few reports on adverse events. Here, we report a case of a patient with mediastinitis caused by delayed mucosal damage after POEM. This case was the most severe among all POEM cases at our hospital. A 58‐year‐old man had experienced dysphagia and chest tightness since he was around 50 years old. At a previous hospital, he had been diagnosed with nonerosive reflux disease and had undergone fundoplication. As his symptoms did not improve, he was referred to our department. POEM was able to be finished but a stable visual field could not be maintained throughout procedure because of strong esophageal contractions. From findings of endoscopy and esophagography after POEM, the patient was diagnosed mediastinitis caused by delayed esophageal perforation. In this case, conservative treatment (fasting, antibiotic therapy, and enteral feeding) was successful. However, the option to administer surgical treatment, such as drainage, must not be overlooked.
Splenic artery as a simple landmark indicating difficulty during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Ishikawa Yoshiya , Ban Daisuke , Watanabe Shuichi , Akahoshi Keiichi , Ono Hiroaki , Mitsunori Yusuke , Kudo Atsushi , Tanaka Shinji , Tanabe Minoru 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe use of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is increasing worldwide. It is important for surgeons to predict preoperatively the difficulty and risks of a surgery. However, very few reports have evaluated the impact of patient or tumor factors on the difficulty of LDP. We aimed to determine the predictors of technical difficulties when performing LDP.MethodsThis study included 34 patients who underwent LDP. Patient information was obtained retrospectively and included age, gender, BMI, primary disease, previous abdominal surgery, previous pancreatitis, tumor size, tumor proximity to the splenic arterial origin, type of splenic artery (SpA), operative time, blood loss, postoperative pancreatic fistula, and length of hospital stay. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors of a long operative time. SpA anatomy was classified into two types based on the relationship between its origin and the pancreas. Patients whose SpA origin was upward of the pancreatic parenchyma were classified as SpA type 1, whereas patients whose SpA origin was covered by the pancreatic parenchyma were classified as SpA type 2.ResultsMultivariate analysis revealed SpA type 2 to be an independent risk factor for a long operation (odds ratio = 9.925; 95% confidence interval: 1.461–67.412; P = 0.019). SpA type 2 was related to a longer operative time (P < 0.001) and greater intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.001).ConclusionClassification according to SpA type is simple and useful for predicting technical difficulty when performing LDP.
Single‐use disposable digital flexible ureteroscopes: an ex vivo assessment and cost analysis
Authors: Hennessey Derek B. , Fojecki Grzegorz L. , Papa Nathan P. , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Bolton Damien 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo assess and measure the capability of a single‐use disposable digital flexible ureteroscope, the LithoVue™ (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA), and to assess if there is a benefit to switching to single‐use scopes.Patients and MethodsThe LithoVue was compared to two commonly used reusable flexible ureteroscopes (Olympus URF‐V [Olympus, Tokyo, Japan] and Karl Storz Flex‐Xc [Karl Storz & Co. KG, Tuttlingen, Germany]) ex vivo. An analysis of reusable ureteroscope usage was performed to evaluate damage, durability, and maintenance costs. This was then compared to the projected costs of using single‐use disposable scopes.ResultsFlexion, deflection and irrigation flow of the LithoVue was equivalent, if not better than the reusable flexible ureteroscopes. An analysis of 234 procedures with seven new Olympus URF‐V scopes, revealed 15 scope damages. Staghorn stones and lower pole/mid‐zone stones were significant risk factors for damage (P = 0.014). Once damage occurred it was likely to occur again. Total repair costs were $162 628 (Australian dollars) (£92 411 in Great British pounds), the mean cost per case was $695 (£395). Factoring in the purchase cost, cleaning and repair costs, the cumulative cost of 28 reusable flexible ureteroscopy procedures was ~$50 000 (£28 412). If the LithoVue was priced at $1 200 (£682), switching to a single‐use scope would cost ~$35 000 (£19 888).ConclusionThe LithoVue is analogous to reusable flexible ureteroscopes in regard to standard technical metrics. Depending on its purchase cost it may also represent a cost saving for hospitals when compared to the cumulative costs of maintaining reusable scopes. Additionally, urologist may consider using the scope in cases in which reusable scope damage is anticipated.