bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of membership decline on party organisations in Europe
Authors: Kölln Ann‐Kristin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOn election day, voters’ commitment is crucial for political parties, but between elections members are an important resource for party organisations. However, membership figures have been dropping across parties and countries in the last decades. How does this trend affect parties’ organisation? Following classics in party politics research as well as contemporary organisational theory literature, this study tests some of the most longstanding hypotheses in political science regarding the effects of membership size change. According to organisational learning theory, membership decline should induce an expansion of the party organisation. However, threat‐rigidity theory and the work of Robert Michels suggest that parties are downsizing their organisation to match the decline in membership size. To test the hypotheses, 47 parties in six European countries (Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom) are followed annually between 1960 and 2010 on key organisational characteristics such as finances, professionalism and complexity. A total of 1,922 party‐year observations are analysed. The results of multilevel modelling show that party membership decline triggers mixed effects. Declining membership size induces the employment of more staff, higher spending and a higher reliance on state subsidies. At the same time, it also triggers lower staff salaries and a reduction in the party's local presence. The findings indicate that today's parties are targeting an organisational structure that is custom‐made for the electoral moment every four years. Faced with lasting membership decline, the party organisation retracts its organisational resources and focuses more on election day. Members matter to parties, but votes matter more.
Why is the IMF at an Impasse, and What Can Be Done about It?
Authors: Wade Robert H. , Vestergaard Jakob 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe International Monetary Fund is at an impasse, acutely short of secure lending resources. The main reason is that the US Congress is blocking ratification of an agreement reached in 2010 by all member states that would almost double its permanent loanable funds (its quota). World leaders should be worried that the Fund is currently relying on the good will of countries to supply it with short‐term loans which it can on‐lend to countries in crisis. This is not a solid foundation for the nearest thing the world system has to an international lender‐of‐last‐ resort. Since the IMF's multilateral functions cannot be readily replicated, it is important to find a way out. All solutions lead back to the US veto, the US being the only state (Treasury or Congress) able to veto supermajority decisions. The prospect of more financial crises ahead while the Fund is chronically short of secure lending resources should focus all minds on how to end the US veto. Otherwise the Fund will follow the WTO towards irrelevance, to the benefit of the few countries at the strong end of bilateral and regional arrangements.
Accounting Conservatism and Performance Covenants: A Signaling Approach
Authors: Callen Jeffrey L. , Chen Feng , Dou Yiwei , Xin Baohua 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis study examines the relation between performance covenants in private debt contracting and conservative accounting under adverse selection. We find that under severe adverse selection (i.e., high information asymmetry), accounting conservatism and performance covenants act as complements to signal that the borrower is unlikely to appropriate wealth from the lender. No such relation obtains in a low information asymmetry regime. We further show that in the high information asymmetry regime, borrowers with high levels of conservatism and tight performance covenants generally enjoy lower interest rate spreads than borrowers with low levels of conservatism and loose performance covenants. Consistent with our signaling theory, in the high information asymmetry regime, borrowers with high levels of conservatism and tight performance covenants are less likely to make abnormal payouts to shareholders. Our empirical results are robust to alternative measures of conservatism and covenant restrictiveness.
The mitochondrial‐derived peptide MOTS‐c: a player in exceptional longevity?
Authors: Fuku Noriyuki , Pareja‐Galeano Helios , Zempo Hirofumi , Alis Rafael , Arai Yasumichi , Lucia Alejandro , Hirose Nobuyoshi 
Published: August 2015

SummaryMitochondrial‐derived peptides (MDP) are encoded by functional short open reading frames in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). These include humanin, and the recently discovered mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA‐c (MOTS‐c). Although more research is needed, we suggest that the m.1382A>C polymorphism located in the MOTS‐c encoding mtDNA, which is specific for the Northeast Asian population, may be among the putative biological mechanisms explaining the high longevity of Japanese people.
There Are Sex Differences in the Demographics and Risk Profiles of Emergency Department (ED) Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter, but no Apparent Differences in ED Management or Outcomes
Authors: Scheuermeyer Frank Xavier , Mackay Martha , Christenson Jim , Grafstein Eric , Pourvali Reza , Heslop Claire , MacPhee Jan , Ward John , Heilbron Brett , McGrath Lorraine , Humphries Karin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectivesIn non–emergency department (ED) settings, women with atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) have different presentations, treatments, and outcomes than men: they are older, less likely to be treated with rhythm control strategies or appropriate anticoagulation, and more likely to have strokes. This has not been investigated in ED patients.MethodsRecords from consecutive ED patients from January 1 to December 31, 2009, with electrocardiogram‐proven AFF at two urban hospitals were collected. Review of administrative and clinical data identified patient demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and ED treatments. The regional ED database was queried to determine 30‐day and 1‐year follow‐up visits, and the provincial vital statistics database was referenced to obtain 30‐day and 1‐year mortality; all outcomes were stratified by sex. The primary outcome, which reflected overall appropriateness of ED care, was the proportion of patients who were discharged home at their index ED visits, who then had unscheduled 30‐day ED revisits. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of eligible patients who underwent acute rhythm control strategies and the proportion of high‐risk patients who had previously inadequately anticoagulation strategies corrected by the emergency physician. Additional outcomes included the ED length of stay (LOS) and 30‐day and 1‐year rates of stroke and death.ResultsA total of 1,112 records were reviewed: 470 women (42.3%) and 642 men. Women were a median 8 years (interquartile range = 3 to 13 years) older than men, had higher rates of cardiovascular comorbidities, and were more likely to present with atypical symptoms such as weakness or dyspnea. On their index ED visits, 50.2% of women and 41.3% of men were admitted. At 30 days, 39 of 234 (16.7%) women and 55 of 377 (14.6%) men who were discharged at their index ED visits had made revisits, for a risk difference of 2.1% (95% confidence interval = –3.9% to 8.5%). There were no apparent sex differences in the use of acute rhythm control or in the appropriateness of anticoagulation decisions. ED LOS was similar between women and men, as were 30‐day and 1‐year stroke or death rates.ConclusionsFemale ED AFF patients were older, had more comorbidities, and were more likely to be admitted. However, the overall management and outcomes, including 30‐day revisits, appeared to be similar to that of males, indicating that there appeared to be little sex‐based discrepancy in ED care and outcomes.
The new stimulant designer compound pentedrone exhibits rewarding properties and affects dopaminergic activity
Authors: Hwang Ji‐Young , Kim Jun‐Sub , Oh Ji‐Hwan , Hong Sa‐Ik , Ma Shi‐Xun , Jung Yang‐Hee , Ko Yong‐Hyun , Lee Seok‐Yong , Kim Hyoung‐Chun , Jang Choon‐Gon 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCathinone derivatives are new recreational drugs known to produce psychostimulant effects. However, unlike other psychostimulants, the addictive potential of cathinone derivatives has not been widely studied. Here, we investigated the effects of pentedrone, a type of cathinone derivative, on the dopaminergic system using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. We also evaluated the addictive potential of pentedrone using conditioned place preference and self‐administration. We found that pentedrone increased the mRNA expression of dopamine 1 receptor, dopamine 2 receptor and dopamine transporter, as well as induced phosphorylation of cAMP response element‐binding protein in PC‐12 cells. Additionally, pentedrone at 3 and 10 mg/kg significantly increased conditioned place preference in mice, while pentedrone at 0.3 mg/kg/infusion significantly increased self‐administration in rats. Finally, we found that acute administration of pentedrone enhanced locomotor activity in a dose‐dependent manner. Collectively, these data suggest that the addictive properties of pentedrone may be due to its effects on the dopaminergic system.
How has microcredit supported agriculture? Evidence using panel data from Bangladesh
Authors: Khandker Shahidur R. , Koolwal Gayatri B. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractImproving agricultural productivity has received a greater attention in recent years amid concerns about rising food insecurity, population pressures, and climate change. Many believe that better access to institutional credit, spanning microcredit as well as commercial and agricultural banks, can help rural households smooth risks, and access inputs and other technology to modernize agriculture and improve farm/nonfarm linkages. We use recently augmented household panel data spanning over 20 years in Bangladesh to examine the effects of rural credit expansion (both microcredit and formal bank channels) on outcomes for agricultural households. We find that microcredit has benefited households with lower landownings, raising agricultural income from activities such as livestock rearing that require less land, as well as nonfarm income diversification for all households, but with the strongest effect for landless or near‐landless households. We do not find effects of microcredit on crop income, but do, however, find that reported supply‐side credit constraints significantly lower crop income. Borrowing by both men and women has contributed to nonfarm income growth for marginal farmers, but only men's borrowing has contributed to nonfarm income growth among higher landowning groups.
Buffer stock savings by portfolio adjustment: evidence from rural India
Authors: Imai Katsushi S. , Malaeb Bilal 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe empirical literature on household savings tends to treat savings simply as the residual of income minus consumption. This article takes a unique approach to reconstruct the cash and asset balances using detailed household transaction data on farm households in rural India and generates monthly and seasonal ICRISAT panel data for the period 1976–1983. We have found that households—irrespective of their landholding status—cope with temporary shocks quite well by using crop inventory, currency, and capital assets, rather than livestock, as buffer assets. The importance of portfolio adjustments in smoothing consumption is also confirmed by the use of a system of equations in which both portfolio and production decisions are made endogenous. It is concluded that not only the level but also the diversification of household assets are important for buffering consumption. As an extension, we have explored the monthly ICRISAT panel data for the period 2009–2012 in the same villages and have found a similar pattern in household portfolio responses to income shocks.
Distance‐ and near‐visual impairment in rural Chinese adults in Kailu, Inner Mongolia
Authors: Cheng Fang , Shan Li , Song Wulian , Fan Pan , Yuan Huiping 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the prevalence and causes of distance‐visual impairment and near‐vision impairment in a rural Chinese population in Inner Mongolia.MethodsA population‐based, cross‐sectional study design was used to identify visual impairment in the Chinese aged 40 years and older living in Kailu County, Inner Mongolia. Low vision, blindness and near‐visual impairment (NVI) were defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.ResultsThe overall prevalence of blindness and visual impairment based on the presenting visual acuity (VA) was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.8–2.6) and 9.8% (95% CI: 8.9–10.6), respectively, and was adjusted to 0.9% (95% CI: 0.6–1.2) and 4.7% (95% CI: 4.1–5.3) using best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), respectively. Taking the presenting VA into consideration, the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness was cataract (40.3%, 40.9%), followed by uncorrected refractive error (26.6%, 28.2%). According to the BCVA, the main cause of visual impairment and blindness was cataract (48.3%, 41.3%) followed by glaucoma (19.0%, 23.9%). Among the examined subjects, 80.3% had NVI, and 51.7% had presbyopia. Major barriers reported by NVI persons without near correction were lack of money to purchase prescription glasses and poor quality of the available ones (43.2%).ConclusionVisual impairment is a serious public health problem, and the main causes leading to visual impairment are treatable and preventable in the rural Chinese population in Inner Mongolia. Presbyopia, together with the low rate of spectacles and lack of appropriate refractive and presbyopia spectacles, is highly prevalent in rural China.
Systematic review: instruments to assess abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Mujagic Z. , Keszthelyi D. , Aziz Q. , Reinisch W. , Quetglas E. G. , De Leonardis F. , Segerdahl M. , Masclee A. A. M. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundConsensus on standard methods to assess chronic abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently lacking.AimTo systematically review the literature with respect to instruments of measurement of chronic abdominal pain in IBS patients.MethodsSystematic literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline databases for studies using pain measurement instruments in patients with IBS.ResultsOne hundred and ten publications were reviewed. A multitude of different instruments is currently used to assess chronic abdominal pain in IBS patients. The single‐item methods, e.g. the validated 10‐point numeric rating scale (NRS), and questionnaires assessing gastrointestinal symptoms severity, focus mostly on the assessment of only the intensity of abdominal pain. Of these questionnaires, the validated IBS‐Symptom Severity Scale includes the broadest measurement of pain‐related aspects. General pain questionnaires and electronic momentary symptom assessment tools have been used to study abdominal pain in IBS patients, but have not yet been validated for this purpose. The evidence for the use of provocation tests, e.g. the rectal barostat with balloon distention, for measurement of abdominal pain in IBS is weak, due to the poor correlation between visceral pain thresholds assessed by provocation tests and abdominal pain as assessed by retrospective questionnaires.ConclusionsThe multitude of different instruments to measure chronic abdominal pain in IBS makes it difficult to compare endpoints of published studies. There is need for validated instruments to assess chronic abdominal pain in IBS patients, that overcome the limitations of the currently available methods.
Which non‐technical skills do junior doctors require to prescribe safely? A systematic review
Authors: Dearden Effie , Mellanby Edward , Cameron Helen , Harden Jeni 
Published: August 2015

AimsPrescribing errors are a major source of avoidable morbidity and mortality. Junior doctors write most in‐hospital prescriptions and are the least experienced members of the healthcare team. This puts them at high risk of error and makes them attractive targets for interventions to improve prescription safety. Error analysis has shown a background of complex environments with multiple contributory conditions. Similar conditions in other high risk industries, such as aviation, have led to an increased understanding of so‐called human factors and the use of non‐technical skills (NTS) training to try to reduce error. To date no research has examined the NTS required for safe prescribing.The aim of this review was to develop a prototype NTS taxonomy for safe prescribing, by junior doctors, in hospital settings.MethodsA systematic search identified 14 studies analyzing prescribing behaviours and errors by junior doctors. Framework analysis was used to extract data from the studies and identify behaviours related to categories of NTS that might be relevant to safe and effective prescribing performance by junior doctors. Categories were derived from existing literature and inductively from the data.ResultsA prototype taxonomy of relevant categories (situational awareness, decision making, communication and team working, and task management) and elements was constructed.ConclusionsThis prototype will form the basis of future work to create a tool that can be used for training and assessment of medical students and junior doctors to reduce prescribing error in the future.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes After Initiation of Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Treatment
Authors: Storgaard Heidi , Bagger Jonatan I. , Knop Filip K. , Vilsbøll Tina , Rungby Jørgen 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were recently introduced for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). SGLT2i lower plasma glucose by inhibiting the renal reuptake of glucose leading to glucosuria. Generally, these drugs are considered safe to use. However, recently, SGLT2i have been suggested to predispose to ketoacidosis. Here, we present a case of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) developed in an obese, poorly controlled male patient with T2D treated with the SGLT2i dapagliflozin. He was admitted with DKA 5 days after the initiation of treatment with the SGLT2i dapagliflozin. On admission, the primary symptoms were nausea and dizziness, and he was hypertensive (170/103) and tachycardic (119 bpm) and had mild hyperglycaemia (15.3 mmol/l), severe ketonuria and severe metabolic acidosis (pH 7.08). He responded well to infusions of insulin, glucose and saline and was discharged after 72 hr with insulin as the only glucose‐lowering therapy. After 1 month, dapagliflozin was reintroduced as add‐on to insulin with no recurrent signs of ketoacidosis. During acute illness or other conditions with increased insulin demands in diabetes, SGLT2i may predispose to the formation of ketone bodies and ensuing acidosis.
National Survey and Community Advisory Board Development for a Bipolar Disorder Biobank
Authors: Frye Mark A , Doederlein Allen , Koenig Barbara , McElroy Susan L , Nassan Malik , Seymour Lisa R , Biernacka Joanna M , Daniels Allen S 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to engage a national advocacy group and local stakeholders for guidance in developing a bipolar disorder biobank through a web‐based survey and a community advisory board.MethodsThe Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and the Mayo Clinic Bipolar Biobank conducted a national web‐based survey inquiring about interest in participating in a biobank (i.e., giving DNA and clinical information). A community advisory board was convened to guide establishment of the biobank and identify key deliverables from the research project and for the community.ResultsAmong 385 survey respondents, funding source (87%), professional opinion (76%), mental health consumer opinion (79%), and return of research results (91%) were believed to be important for considering study participation. Significantly more patients were willing to participate in a biobank managed by a university or clinic (78.2%) than one managed by government (63.4%) or industry (58.2%; both p < 0.001). The nine‐member community advisory board expressed interest in research to help predict the likelihood of bipolar disorder developing in a child of an affected parent and which medications to avoid. The advisory board endorsed the use of a comprehension questionnaire to evaluate participants' understanding of the study (e.g., longevity of DNA specimens, right to remove samples, accessing medical records) as a means to strengthen the informed consent process.ConclusionsThese national survey and community advisory data support the merit of establishing a biobank to enable studies of disease risk, provided that health records and research results are adequately protected. The goals of earlier diagnosis and individualized treatment of bipolar disorder were endorsed.
Celecoxib adjunctive therapy for acute bipolar mania: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Arabzadeh Somayeh , Ameli Niusha , Zeinoddini Atefeh , Rezaei Farzin , Farokhnia Mehdi , Mohammadinejad Payam , Ghaleiha Ali , Akhondzadeh Shahin 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesRecent research has focused on the inflammatory cascade as a key culprit in the etiology of bipolar disorder. We hypothesized that celecoxib, via its anti‐inflammatory properties, may have a therapeutic role in mood disorder.MethodsForty‐six inpatients with the diagnosis of acute bipolar mania without psychotic features participated in a parallel, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, and underwent six weeks of treatment with either celecoxib (400 mg daily) or placebo as an adjunctive treatment to sodium valproate. Patients were evaluated using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). The primary outcome measure with respect to efficacy was the mean decrease in YMRS score from baseline to the study endpoint, which was compared between the two groups.ResultsA significant difference was observed in the change in YMRS scores on Day 42 compared to baseline in the two groups (p < 0.001). The changes at the endpoint compared to baseline were −29.78 ± 21.78 (mean ± standard deviation) and −21.78 ± 7.16 for the celecoxib and placebo groups, respectively. A significantly higher remission rate was observed in the celecoxib group (87.0%) than the placebo group (43.5%) at Week 6 (p = 0.005). General linear model repeated measures demonstrated a significant effect for the time × treatment interaction on the YMRS scores [F(2.27,99.98) = 6.67, p = 0.001].ConclusionsCelecoxib is an effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of manic episodes (without psychotic features) of bipolar mood disorder. The mood‐stabilizing role of the drug might be mediated via its action on the inflammatory cascade.