Gender inequality, corruption, and economic development

We investigate the effect of bureaucratic corruption on economic development when women are discriminated against in the labor market. The analysis is based on a dynamic general equilibrium model in which capital accumulation drives economic development. The government appoints bureaucrats to administer public policy. Corruption arises due to the opportunity for bureaucrats to embezzle public funds. In the event of detection and dismissal, the private sector serves as the bureaucrats' outside option. Our main results can be summarized as follows: first, when the public sector is a more gender‐equal employer than the private sector, female bureaucrats are less corrupt than male; second, corruption and development are jointly determined allowing the possibility of a poverty trap; and third, a policy to increase female participation in the public sector potentially reduces corruption and fosters economic development

Musical hallucinations and their relation with epilepsy

Musical hallucinations are poorly understood phenomena. Their relation with epilepsy was first described over a century ago, but never systematically explored. We, therefore, reviewed the literature, and assessed all descriptions of musical hallucinations attributed to epileptic activity. Our search yielded 191 articles, which together describe 983 unique patients, with 24 detailed descriptions of musical hallucinations related to epilepsy. We also describe six of our own patients. Based on the phenomenological descriptions and neurophysiological data, we distinguish four subgroups of epilepsy-related musical hallucination, comprising auras/ictal, inter-ictal and post-ictal phenomena, and phenomena related to brain stimulation. The case descriptions suggest that musical hallucinations in epilepsy can be conceptualised as lying on a continuum with other auditory hallucinations, including verbal auditory hallucinations, and—notably—tinnitus. To account for the underlying mechanism we propose a Bayesian model involving top-down and bottom-up prediction errors within the auditory network that incorporates findings from EEG and MEG studies. An analysis of phenomenological characteristics, pharmacological triggers, and treatment effects suggests wider ramifications for understanding musical hallucinations. We, therefore, conclude that musical hallucinations in epilepsy open a window to understanding these phenomena in a variety of conditions.Stress and Psychopatholog

Musical hallucinations, secondary delusions, and lack of insight:results from a cohort study

Introduction: Although musical hallucinations do not tend to be accompanied by delusions, occasionally patients persistently accuse others of being responsible for causing the music they perceive, sometimes with severe social consequences such as frequently calling the police or moving house. In this study we seek to broaden our understanding of this rare type of musical hallucination that comes with secondary delusions and lack of insight, and to explore associations, underlying mechanisms, and treatment possibilities. Methods: The present study is part of a cohort study on musical hallucinations carried out in the Netherlands from 2010 through 2023. Participants underwent testing with the aid of the MuHa Questionnaire, Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale (LSHS), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Additionally, they underwent a brain MRI, electroencephalogram, and audiological testing. Results: Five patients out of a group of N = 81 (6%) lacked insight and presented with secondary delusions regarding the perceived music. They were all female, of advanced age, and hearing-impaired, and were diagnosed with cognitive impairment. In three patients (60%), risperidone was started. This had a positive effect on the hallucinations and secondary delusions. Conclusion: The pathophysiological process underlying musical hallucinations is multifactorial in nature. We consider cognitive impairment the most likely contributing factor of the secondary delusions and lack of insight encountered in our patients, and antipsychotics the most beneficial treatment. On the basis of these small numbers, no definite conclusions can be drawn, so further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop evidence-based treatment methods for people experiencing this rare and debilitating combination of symptoms. Since the black box warning of risperidone cautions against the use of this drug in elderly persons with dementia, a proper comparison with the efficacy and safety of other antipsychotics for this group is paramount.</p

Musical hallucinations, secondary delusions, and lack of insight:results from a cohort study

Introduction: Although musical hallucinations do not tend to be accompanied by delusions, occasionally patients persistently accuse others of being responsible for causing the music they perceive, sometimes with severe social consequences such as frequently calling the police or moving house. In this study we seek to broaden our understanding of this rare type of musical hallucination that comes with secondary delusions and lack of insight, and to explore associations, underlying mechanisms, and treatment possibilities. Methods: The present study is part of a cohort study on musical hallucinations carried out in the Netherlands from 2010 through 2023. Participants underwent testing with the aid of the MuHa Questionnaire, Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale (LSHS), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Additionally, they underwent a brain MRI, electroencephalogram, and audiological testing. Results: Five patients out of a group of N = 81 (6%) lacked insight and presented with secondary delusions regarding the perceived music. They were all female, of advanced age, and hearing-impaired, and were diagnosed with cognitive impairment. In three patients (60%), risperidone was started. This had a positive effect on the hallucinations and secondary delusions. Conclusion: The pathophysiological process underlying musical hallucinations is multifactorial in nature. We consider cognitive impairment the most likely contributing factor of the secondary delusions and lack of insight encountered in our patients, and antipsychotics the most beneficial treatment. On the basis of these small numbers, no definite conclusions can be drawn, so further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop evidence-based treatment methods for people experiencing this rare and debilitating combination of symptoms. Since the black box warning of risperidone cautions against the use of this drug in elderly persons with dementia, a proper comparison with the efficacy and safety of other antipsychotics for this group is paramount.</p

Musical hallucinations, secondary delusions, and lack of insight:results from a cohort study

Introduction: Although musical hallucinations do not tend to be accompanied by delusions, occasionally patients persistently accuse others of being responsible for causing the music they perceive, sometimes with severe social consequences such as frequently calling the police or moving house. In this study we seek to broaden our understanding of this rare type of musical hallucination that comes with secondary delusions and lack of insight, and to explore associations, underlying mechanisms, and treatment possibilities. Methods: The present study is part of a cohort study on musical hallucinations carried out in the Netherlands from 2010 through 2023. Participants underwent testing with the aid of the MuHa Questionnaire, Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale (LSHS), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Additionally, they underwent a brain MRI, electroencephalogram, and audiological testing. Results: Five patients out of a group of N = 81 (6%) lacked insight and presented with secondary delusions regarding the perceived music. They were all female, of advanced age, and hearing-impaired, and were diagnosed with cognitive impairment. In three patients (60%), risperidone was started. This had a positive effect on the hallucinations and secondary delusions. Conclusion: The pathophysiological process underlying musical hallucinations is multifactorial in nature. We consider cognitive impairment the most likely contributing factor of the secondary delusions and lack of insight encountered in our patients, and antipsychotics the most beneficial treatment. On the basis of these small numbers, no definite conclusions can be drawn, so further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop evidence-based treatment methods for people experiencing this rare and debilitating combination of symptoms. Since the black box warning of risperidone cautions against the use of this drug in elderly persons with dementia, a proper comparison with the efficacy and safety of other antipsychotics for this group is paramount.</p

The electric double layer has a life of its own

Using molecular dynamics simulations with recently developed importance sampling methods, we show that the differential capacitance of a model ionic liquid based double-layer capacitor exhibits an anomalous dependence on the applied electrical potential. Such behavior is qualitatively incompatible with standard mean-field theories of the electrical double layer, but is consistent with observations made in experiment. The anomalous response results from structural changes induced in the interfacial region of the ionic liquid as it develops a charge density to screen the charge induced on the electrode surface. These structural changes are strongly influenced by the out-of-plane layering of the electrolyte and are multifaceted, including an abrupt local ordering of the ions adsorbed in the plane of the electrode surface, reorientation of molecular ions, and the spontaneous exchange of ions between different layers of the electrolyte close to the electrode surface. The local ordering exhibits signatures of a first-order phase transition, which would indicate a singular charge-density transition in a macroscopic limit

Musical hallucinations, secondary delusions, and lack of insight: results from a cohort study

IntroductionAlthough musical hallucinations do not tend to be accompanied by delusions, occasionally patients persistently accuse others of being responsible for causing the music they perceive, sometimes with severe social consequences such as frequently calling the police or moving house. In this study we seek to broaden our understanding of this rare type of musical hallucination that comes with secondary delusions and lack of insight, and to explore associations, underlying mechanisms, and treatment possibilities.MethodsThe present study is part of a cohort study on musical hallucinations carried out in the Netherlands from 2010 through 2023. Participants underwent testing with the aid of the MuHa Questionnaire, Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale (LSHS), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Additionally, they underwent a brain MRI, electroencephalogram, and audiological testing.ResultsFive patients out of a group of N = 81 (6%) lacked insight and presented with secondary delusions regarding the perceived music. They were all female, of advanced age, and hearing-impaired, and were diagnosed with cognitive impairment. In three patients (60%), risperidone was started. This had a positive effect on the hallucinations and secondary delusions.ConclusionThe pathophysiological process underlying musical hallucinations is multifactorial in nature. We consider cognitive impairment the most likely contributing factor of the secondary delusions and lack of insight encountered in our patients, and antipsychotics the most beneficial treatment. On the basis of these small numbers, no definite conclusions can be drawn, so further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop evidence-based treatment methods for people experiencing this rare and debilitating combination of symptoms. Since the black box warning of risperidone cautions against the use of this drug in elderly persons with dementia, a proper comparison with the efficacy and safety of other antipsychotics for this group is paramount

Transmission of NS5A-Inhibitor Resistance-Associated Substitutions among Men Who Have Sex with Men Recently Infected with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1a

The transmission of direct-acting antiviral resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) could hamper hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure rates and elimination efforts. A phylogenetic analysis of 87 men who have sex with men recently infected with HCV genotype 1a placed one-third (28/87) in a large cluster, in which 96% harbored NS5A M28V RAS.</p

Relevance of the JAK2V617F mutation in patients with deep vein thrombosis of the leg

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be the first presenting symptom in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of the JAK2V617F mutation in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis. Fewer studies have been done in patients with thrombosis outside the splanchnic area, showing a lower prevalence although the clinical relevance of the mutation in these patients, e.g., progression to overt MPN, remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effect size of JAK2V617F in prospectively collected DNA samples of patients objectively diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the leg and controls without DVT, with follow-up on JAK2V617F-positive patients to assess clinical relevance. Presence of JAK2V617F was determined in DNA samples from 187 patients with DVT and 201 controls, using quantitative RT-PCR. Hematological parameters were also analyzed. All initially JAK2V617F-positive patients were reassessed. Of 187 patients with DVT, 178 were analyzed for JAK2V617F, and in four (2.3%; 95% CI 0.1–4.4), JAK2V617F was present. Of 201 controls, 198 were analyzed; one was JAK2V617F positive (0.5%; 95% CI −0.5–1.5, OR 4.5; 95% CI 0.5–40.9). None had MPN features, nor upon reassessment after a median follow-up of 68.5 months. Four JAK2V617F-positive patients with DVT and one control without DVT did not develop overt MPN after a median follow-up of nearly 6 years. Thus, in patients with non-splanchnic venous thrombosis, JAK2V617F appears not to be clinically relevant