bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serving Migrant Workers: A Challenging Public Service Issue in China (服务农民工：中国公共服务的挑战)1
Authors: Ngok (岳经纶) Kinglun 
Published: July 2012

The results of the latest census disclose that there are more than 260 million mobile people among the total population of 1.34 billion in China. Among them, about 150 million are migrant workers. Due to the notorious household registration system (hukou) and the entrenched rural‐urban divide, access by migrant workers to public services provided by city governments is normally denied. Compared with their urban counterparts, migrant workers find it difficult to gain equal access to employment, social security and other public services. Though the central government has promised to provide public services to migrant workers, including employment services and training, compulsory education for their children, disease prevention and control, and improvement in housing conditions, providing public services to migrant workers poses a big challenge for both receiving and sending regions. Based on a survey of migrant workers and government officials conducted in 2009 in Guangzhou, one of the key receiving cities of migrant workers, this article examines migrant workers’ needs for, and knowledge of, public services. It also reviews current policy responses and service provision mechanisms of both the receiving and sending regions, and tries to evaluate the gap between the service needs of migrant workers and governments’ provision of services, and to explore more effective ways to satisfy needs through enhanced cooperation and coordination among government departments and non‐governmental organisations.中国最新的人口普查结果显示，在13.4亿总人口中，流动人口高达2.6亿，其中，跨区域流动的农民工达到1.5亿。由于长期存在的城乡差距，特别是户籍制度的影响，农民工在城市中很难享受到诸如就业、社会保障等公共服务。虽然中央政府已经承诺为农民工提供各项公共服务，如就业服务和职业培训，子女义务教育，疾病预防与控制，住房改善等，但是，无论是对输入地还是输出地来说，如何为农民工提供公共服务一直是一个重大的公共政策挑战。基于2009年在广州针对农民工、政府官员的一项问卷调查，本文尝试了解农民工的服务需要及其对城市公共服务的认知情况，梳理输出地与输入地的政策回应及服务提供机制，评估农民工的公共服务需要与政府服务提供之间的差距，并且在此基础上探索如何通过加强输入地与输出地政府部门之间、非政府组织之间及政府部门与非政府部门之间的沟通与协调来寻找满足农民工服务需要的更有效的方法。
Policy Entrepreneur, Civic Engagement and Local Policy Innovation in China: Housing Monetarisation Reform in Guizhou Province (政策企业家、公民参与与地方政策创新：以贵州住房货币化改革为例)
Authors: Zhu (朱亚鹏) Yapeng 
Published: July 2012

Creating local policy innovations and extending successful local experiences to other localities and provinces or even up to the national level has been a distinctive feature of China's policymaking process during the reform period. However, insufficient academic effort has been spent on what promotes or hinders policy innovations at the local level and their dissemination. This article contributes by exploring the role of policy entrepreneurs in fostering local policy innovations, using the housing monetarisation reform experience in Guizhou province as an example. In this article I argue that the key decision‐maker, being a policy entrepreneur, plays a central role in fostering policy innovations. An important aspect of the policy entrepreneur's strategy is to promote civic engagement and to strengthen legitimacy by leveraging the popularity of innovative policy. By highlighting the role of the policy entrepreneur as a policy innovator and the strategy of involving civic engagement, this research contributes to the literature in both the policy entrepreneurship and local politics development in China.改革开放时期中国的政策决策过程呈现出一个显著特征，即政府积极推动地方政策创新并将成功的政策创新推广到其它地区、省份或者全国。然而，关于地方政策创新及其扩散受到何种因素的影响和制约，学界的研究并不充足。本文以贵州住房货币化改革为例，分析了政策企业家在推动地方政策创新中所扮演的重要角色：作为重要的决策者的政策企业家在政策创新过程中发挥了关键作用；政策企业家通过各种策略推动公民参与以增强政策创新的受欢迎程度，从而提升政策创新的合法性。通过强调政策企业家作为政策创新的首倡者的重要作用及其在推动公众参与所采用的各种策略，本文推进了政策企业家及中国地方政治等相关研究。
Citizen Expectations and Improvement of Government Functions: A Study of Importance and Performance of Budgetary Demands in China (公民期待和政府功能的改进：一项对中国预算需求和绩效的研究)
Authors: Zhang (张光) Guang 
Published: July 2012

How should the government allocate fiscal resources among different sectors in order to satisfy the needs and expectations of its citizens? This question is worth considering because public finance in China has increased at a rate much higher than that of GDP in recent years. Based on a classification of public expenditures, we classify public services and goods provided by the Chinese government into five functions: the administrative, law and order, developmental, welfare, and humanitarian functions. We employ key findings from a survey provided by the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) questioning the importance and performance of different programs in a questionnaire sent to young educated citizens – the leaders and administration of tomorrow. The findings of the survey indicate the highest priority of the five state functions was as follows: welfare, humanitarian, developmental, law and order, and administrative. A comparison between this priority ranking and the actual spending levels indicates that the two sets of preferences roughly correspond, with one exception: the developmental function ranks as the top priority in actual spending but third priority in public expectations. If the expectations found in this survey reflect the broader public views, the survey suggests that, to be more responsive, the Chinese government needs to reallocate its fiscal resources towards welfare and humanitarian functions.政府应该如何在不同的部门中配置其财政资源，以满足公民的需求和期待？近年来中国财政规模以远远高于国内生产总值的速度增长，使得这个问题尤为值得研究。本文将中国政府提供的公共物品和服务区分为五类：行政管理、法与秩序、经济发展、社会福利以及人文发展功能，并借用国际社会调查项目 (ISSP) 的“政府角色”问卷的研究设计，制作了一个有关中国政府不同支出项目的重要性和绩效的问卷。这个问卷在一所中国的精英大学的学生（他们可能成为未来中国各行各业的领导人物）中实施。问卷调查的结果表明大学生对五项功能的优先排序为社会福利、人文发展、经济发展、法与秩序和行政管理。我们将这一优先排序同中国政府的实际支出的优先性排序进行了比较，发现两者大体一致，但有一个例外：在实际支出的优先性排序中经济发展位居第一，而在公众的期待中排位第三。如果此次调查所揭示的期待确实反映了更为广泛的公众的观点的话，则可以断言，中国政府为了使自己的财政支出行为更加符合民意，有必要把财政资源投向的重点转到社会福利和人文发展领域。
The Effects of Participation Rate on the Internal Reliability of Peer Nomination Measures
Authors: Marks Peter E. L. , Babcock Ben , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Crick Nicki R. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAlthough low participation rates have historically been considered problematic in peer nomination research, some researchers have recently argued that small proportions of participants can, in fact, provide adequate sociometric data. The current study used a classical measurement perspective to investigate the internal reliability (Cronbach's α) of peer nomination measures of acceptance, popularity, friendship, prosocial behavior, and overt aggression. Data from 642 participants attending 10 schools were resampled at different participation rates ranging from 5 percent to 100 percent of the original samples. Results indicated that (1) the association between participation rate and Cronbach's α was curvilinear across schools and variables; (2) collecting more data for a given variable (by using unlimited vs. limited nominations, or two vs. one items) was significantly related to higher internal reliability; and (3) certain variables (overt aggression, popularity) were more reliable than others (acceptance, friendship). Implications for future research were discussed.
Efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation among pregnant smokers: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Myung S‐K , Ju W , Jung H‐S , Park C‐H , Oh S‐W , Seo HG , Kim HS ,   for the Korean Meta‐Analysis (KORMA) Study Group
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Myung S, Ju W, Jung H, Park C, Oh S, Seo H, Kim H, for the Korean Meta‐Analysis (KORMA) Study Group. Efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation among pregnant smokers: a meta‐analysis. BJOG 2012;119:1029–1039.Background  The efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation among pregnant smokers has not yet been established.Objective  To investigate the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation among pregnant smokers.Search strategy  A search was made of PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL in June 2011.Selection criteria  Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi‐RCTs and retrospective or prospective controlled studies were included.Data collection and analysis  The main analyses were designed to examine the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation among pregnant smokers based on the longest follow‐up data available and from data obtained at the latest available time‐point in pregnancy in each study.Main results  Of 74 articles identified from the databases, seven studies (five RCTs, one quasi‐RCT and one prospective study) involving a total of 1386 pregnant smokers, 732 in the intervention groups and 654 in the control groups, were included in the final analyses. In a fixed‐effects meta‐analysis of all seven studies based on the longest follow‐up data available, pharmacotherapy had a significant effect on smoking cessation (relative risk [RR] 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32–2.44). Subgroup meta‐analysis by type of study design also showed similar findings for RCTs (RR 1.48; 95% CI 1.04–2.09) and other types of studies (RR 3.25; 95% CI 1.65–6.39). The abstinence rate at late pregnancy in the intervention ranged from 7 to 22.6% (mean abstinence rate 13.0%; 95% CI 10.9–15.2%). A few minor adverse effects and serious adverse effects were reported in several studies.Author’s conclusions  This study indicates that there may be clinical evidence to support the use of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation among pregnant smokers. Further RCTs are needed.
Effectiveness of psychiatric inpatient care
Authors: Sonesson Ove , Arvidsson Hans , Tjus Tomas 
Published: July 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 319–326

Effectiveness of psychiatric inpatient care
There is a growing demand for evaluating the process and outcome of mental health care. Most healthcare providers routinely collect and register data related to the process of treatment, and it is important to acquire more knowledge about how to make use of these databases. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of psychiatric inpatient care in relation to different clinical factors, using the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) as a measure of outcome. Another objective was to explore the ability of routinely collected and registered data to provide valuable information about patients and their care. The studied psychiatric inpatient sample consisted of 816 care episodes with GAF ratings made both at admission and at discharge for 648 patients. Variables used in the study included GAF score at admission and at discharge, age, gender, diagnosis, length of stay and ward affiliation. The overall mean GAF change was 20.74, and the overall effect size Cohen’s d 1.67, which corresponds to a large effect. The mean GAF change for women was 21.6, with an effect size of 1.80, and for men 19.4 with an effect size of 1.52. The effect size spectra including all groups of diagnoses ranged from 1.03 (substance‐related disorders) to 2.33 (other mood disorders). Length of stay and ward affiliation also showed significant results concerning GAF change. Some limitations in this study could depend on the absence of randomization procedures and a control group. Another limitation concerns the insufficient control of the inpatient care interventions performed. The results support the capacity of the GAF to function as a measure of outcome in relation to different clinical factors, such as length of stay and diagnosis. Support was also found for the importance and usefulness of routinely collected and registered data.
QT interval prolongation by acute gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Trevisani Franco , Di Micoli Antonio , Zambruni Andrea , Biselli Maurizio , Santi Valentina , Erroi Virginia , Lenzi Barbara , Caraceni Paolo , Domenicali Marco , Cavazza Mario , Bernardi Mauro 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground & aims
QT interval prolongation is frequent in cirrhosis, and stressful conditions could further prolong QT. We aimed to test this hypothesis and, if it proved correct, to assess its prognostic meaning.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical records of 70 consecutive cirrhotic and 40 non‐cirrhotic patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding. All patients had been evaluated before bleeding (T0) and were re‐evaluated at the time of bleeding (T1) and 6 weeks afterwards (T2).Results
QT corrected by heart rate (QTc) lengthened at T1, returning towards baseline values at T2 (mean ± SEM; from 415.9 ± 4.3 to 453.4 ± 4.3 to 422.2 ± 5.7 ms, P < 0.001) in cirrhotics; contrariwise, QTc did not change in non‐cirrhotic patients. The 6‐week mortality was 29.6% among cirrhotic patients, while no control patient died. At T1, patients who died had longer QTc (P = 0.001) and higher model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score (P < 0.001) than survivors. MELD and QTc independently predicted survival. Their areas under the ROC curve were 0.88 (CI 95% 0.78–0.95) and 0.75 (CI 95% 0.63–0.85) respectively; the best cut‐off values were MELD ≥20 and QTc ≥ 460 ms. Based on these factors, the 6‐week mortality was: 0% for patients without risk factors, 32.1% for those with one risk factor and 70.6% for those with both (P < 0.001).ConclusionsAcute gastrointestinal bleeding further prolongs QTc in cirrhosis. This abnormality independently predicts bleeding‐induced mortality. The combined measurement of QTc interval and MELD can clearly identify three patient strata at increasing risk of bleeding‐related mortality, thus improving the decision‐making for these patients.
Mapping an X‐linked locus that influences heat‐induced febrile seizures in mice
Authors: Hessel Ellen V. S. , van Lith Hein A. , Wolterink‐Donselaar Inge G. , de Wit Marina , Hendrickx Debbie A. E. , Kas Martien J. H. , de Graan Pierre N. E. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizure type in children between the age of 6 months and 5 years. Although FS are largely benign, recurrent FS are a major risk factor for developing temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) later in life. The mechanisms underlying FS are largely unknown; however, family and twin studies indicate that FS susceptibility is under complex genetic control. We have recently developed a phenotypic screen to study the genetics of FS susceptibility in mice. Using this screen in a phenotype‐driven genetic strategy we analyzed the C57BL/6J‐Chr #A/NaJ chromosome substitution strain (CSS) panel. In each CSS line one chromosome of the A/J strain is substituted in a genetically homogeneous C57BL/6J background. The analysis of the CSS panel revealed that A/J chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, and X carry at least one quantitative trait locus (QTL) for heat‐induced FS susceptibility. The fact that many X‐linked genes are highly expressed in the brain and have been implicated in human developmental disorders often presenting with seizures (like fragile X mental retardation) prompted us to map the chromosome X QTL.Methods:  C57BL/6J mice were mated with C57BL/6J‐Chr XA/NaJ (CSSX) to generate F2‐generations—CXBL6 and BL6CX—originating from CSSX or C57BL/6J mothers, respectively. Heat‐induced FS were elicited on postnatal day 14 by exposure to a controlled warm airstream of 50°C. The latency to heat‐induced FS is our phenotype. This phenotype has previously been validated by video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. After phenotyping and genotyping the F2‐population, QTL analysis was performed using R/QTL software.Key Findings:  QTL analysis revealed a significant peak with an LOD‐score of 3.25. The 1‐LOD confidence interval (149,886,866–158,836,462 bp) comprises 52 protein coding genes, of which 34 are known to be brain expressed. Two of these brain‐expressed genes have previously been linked to X‐linked epilepsies, namely Cdkl5 and Pdha1.Significance:  Our results show that the mouse genetics of X‐linked FS susceptibility is complex, and that our heat‐induced FS‐driven genetic approach is a powerful tool for use in unraveling the complexities of this trait in mice. Fine‐mapping and functional studies will be required to further identify the X‐linked FS susceptibility genes.
Dissecting the genetic basis of myoclonic‐astatic epilepsy
Authors: Tang Shan , Pal Deb K. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryHerman Doose first described the generalized childhood epilepsy syndrome of myoclonic astatic epilepsy (MAE) in 1970, attributing a genetic cause from this first description. However, although the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) defined criteria for MAE in 1989, the diagnostic boundaries of the syndrome continue to be debated. Moreover, 40 years since Doose's first description of MAE, although a genetic predisposition is acknowledged and many studies have demonstrated familial aggregation of seizures within MAE families, the actual genetic determinants of MAE still remain unknown. Although initially thought to be within the same spectrum as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, the exclusion of SCN1A mutations in non‐generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) MAE cases has confirmed the genetic distinction of MAE. In this critical review, we shall trace the historical evolution of concepts around MAE and its distinction from Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome, review the described phenotypic features of MAE from updated studies that will allow its distinction from other overlap epilepsy syndromes, review the evidence of genetic influences and clues for genetic heterogeneity, and discuss strategies that may be helpful in elucidating the etiology of MAE in light of current genetic techniques.
Dravet syndrome: Seizure control and gait in adults with different SCN1A mutations
Authors: Rilstone Jennifer J. , Coelho Fernando M. , Minassian Berge A. , Andrade Danielle M. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Dravet syndrome (DS) is an aggressive epileptic encephalopathy. Pharmacoresistant seizures of several types plague most patients with DS throughout their lives. Gait difficulties are a common, but inconsistent finding. The majority of cases are caused by mutations in the SCN1A gene, but little information is available about how particular mutations influence the adult phenotype. The purpose of this study is to correlate different types of SCN1A mutations and (1) seizure control, (2) occurrence of convulsive status epilepticus (cSE), and (3) the presence of crouch gait in adult patients.Methods:  In a cohort of 10 adult patients with DS caused by SCN1A mutations, we investigated seizure frequency, history of cSE, and gait. All patients were identified in the epilepsy clinic between 2009 and 2011. SCN1A mutations were divided into four different groups based on location or effect of the mutation. Retrospective chart review and recent physical examination were completed in all cases.Key Findings:  All patients had a pathogenic mutation in the SCN1A gene. Four SCN1A mutations have not been described previously. Greater than 90% seizure reduction was observed (compared to childhood frequency) in six of seven patients with missense mutations in the pore‐forming region (PFR) of the Nav1.1 protein (group A) and nonsense mutations (group B). One patient with a splice‐site mutation (group C) and another with a mutation outside the PFR (group D) became free of all types of seizures. cSE after the age of 19 years was observed in only one patient. Crouch gait, without spasticity, is identified as an element of the adult DS phenotype. However, only one half of our adult DS cohort demonstrated crouch gait. This feature was observed in five of seven patients from groups A and B.Significance:  This study shows that seizure control improves and cSE become less frequent in DS as patients age, independent of their SCN1A mutation type. Complete seizure freedom was seen in two patients (groups C and D). Finally, this study shows that in DS, crouch gait can be observed in up to 50% of adults with SCN1A mutation. Although no definite statistical correlations could be made due to the small number of patients, it is interesting to note that crouch gait was observed only in those patients with nonsense mutations or mutations in the PFR. Future studies with larger cohorts will be required to formally assess an association of gait abnormalities with particular SCN1A mutations.
Characteristics of people with epilepsy who attend emergency departments: Prospective study of metropolitan hospital attendees
Authors: Noble Adam J. , Goldstein Laura H. , Seed Paul , Glucksman Ed , Ridsdale Leone 
Published: July 2012

SummaryPurpose:  One fifth of people with established epilepsy attend hospital emergency departments (EDs) and one half are admitted each year. These ED visits are not necessarily required, and unplanned hospitalizations are costly. Reducing avoidable ED visits and admissions is a target in most health services. The development of interventions is, however, challenging. Policymakers lack information about users’ characteristics, factors associated with ED use, as well as quality of care. This study provides this information.Methods:  We prospectively recruited patients attending three London EDs for seizures. They completed questionnaires on service use and psychosocial state.Key Findings:  Eighty‐five patients were recruited. The mean age was 41; 53% were male. The average number of ED attendances in the prior year (mean 3.2; median 2) exceeded that of other ED users and those with most chronic conditions. ED use was not homogenous, with some patients attending frequently. Compared to the wider epilepsy population, ED attendees experienced more seizures, anxiety, had lower knowledge of epilepsy and its management and greater perceived epilepsy‐related stigma. In the previous 12 months, most patients’ epilepsy outpatient care was consistent with standard criteria for quality. In descending order, lower knowledge, higher perceived stigma, poorer self‐medication management, and seizure frequency were associated with more emergency visits.Significance:  People with epilepsy presenting to EDs reattend frequently. Interventions aiming at reduced ED use by this population should address lower knowledge, stigma, suboptimal self‐management, and frequent seizures reported by patients.