bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Capital Structure and Bank Performance: Empirical Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Doku James Ntiamoah , Kpekpena Fred Agbenya , Boateng Prince Yeboah 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to examine the impact of capital structure on profitability of commercial banks in Ghana. The study used a sample of 21 commercial banks over the period 2000–2014 using panel corrected standard errors and two‐stage least‐squares estimation approaches. The results show that bank capital structure measured as capital‐to‐asset ratio is a robust and positive driver of bank performance (profitability) measures (return on assets and net interest margin). Additionally, the results further indicate that share of customer demand deposit positively affects bank profitability. The positive relationship between the capital‐to‐asset ratio and performance provides support for the bank capitalization policy implemented by the Bank of Ghana. Also, the findings provide evidence in support of the recent upsurge in bank short‐term deposit mobilization strategies and promotions by commercial banks in the country to enhance their deposit base.
Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin for assessment of anemia in rheumatological disorders
Authors: Singh Bhandari Gurbir , Duggal Lalit , Jain Neeraj , Chaturvedi Ved , Patel Jeet , Kotwal Jyoti 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of reticulocyte hemoglobin (Ret He) estimation in subtyping of anemia and to find the correlation of Ret He with the severity of anemia.MethodsNinety‐four patients with rheumatic diseases with anemia were enrolled. Blood samples were taken to determine various parameters. Patients were divided into three groups: iron deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease with iron deficiency and anemia of chronic disease depending on the iron status and inflammatory markers. Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the accuracy of the parameters in differentiating anemia.ResultsStatistically significant differences among groups were seen with regard to parameters such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‐reactive protein, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, transferrin receptor protein, soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin and Ret He. Ret He correlates with the subtype of anemia in patients with rheumatic disorders but it does not correlate with the severity of anemia. Soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin, Ret He and serum ferritin values were the best parameters to differentiate between various groups. Ret He (pg) values of <24, 24‐26.5 and >26.5, while serum ferritin levels (µg/L) of <35, 35‐178 and >178 were highly sensitive and specific for iron deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease with iron deficiency and anemia of chronic disease groups, respectively.ConclusionIn cost constraints settings, a simple investigation like Ret He alone or with serum ferritin can help us to diagnose and differentiate between the different types of anemia accompanying rheumatological disorders without doing other serum iron studies and expensive tests like transferrin receptor protein which are not readily available.
‘Building Kachin’: Youth and Everyday Action in one of Myanmar's Ethnic States
Authors: Oosterom Marjoke , Pan Maran Ja Htoi , Wilson Sarah 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTIn 2011, Myanmar started its political transition after decades of military rule. In Kachin State this coincided with the breaking of a 17‐year ceasefire between the Kachin Independence Organization/Army (KIO/A) and the state army, the Tatmadaw. For youth living in Kachin State, this meant that opportunities for civic and political participation opened up while at the same time their context remained volatile and uncertain. Using citizenship theory and the concept of the ‘everyday’, this article analyses how youth in Kachin State connect the challenges they experience to their sense of citizenship, and how this informs everyday forms of youth action as well as youth participation in policy processes. The article argues that young people act out of moral and political reasons to ‘build Kachin’, in response to deeply historically rooted experiences of discrimination and state repression. While the agency of young people living in conflict settings is often believed to be limited to tactical agency for individual and immediate survival, an analysis of youth's experiences of citizenship shows that they also act strategically to advance the interests of their society.
Short‐ and long‐term outcomes of a novel transpapillary dilation technique using a diathermic dilator for severe benign bile duct stricture
Authors: Kato Shin , Kuwatani Masaki , Kawakubo Kazumichi , Sugiura Ryo , Hirata Koji , Nakajima Masahito , Hirata Hajime , Kawakami Hiroshi , Sakamoto Naoya 
Published: April 2019

Endoscopic dilation for severe benign biliary stricture using mechanical dilation devices is occasionally ineffective. Hence, diathermic dilation has recently been gaining attention as a salvage procedure. We evaluated the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of diathermic dilation for severe benign biliary stricture that could not be dilated using conventional mechanical dilation. Thirteen consecutive cases with severe benign biliary stricture that underwent diathermic dilation using 6‐Fr electrocautery dilator were enrolled. Short‐ and long‐term outcomes were analyzed. Diathermic dilation was successful in 13 cases (100%), whereas stent was successfully placed in 12 cases (92.3%). Adverse events occurred in two cases (15.4%): mild hemobilia and cholangitis. Recurrence of bile duct stricture was observed in five out of 12 cases (41. 7%) in the 1115‐day median follow‐up period. Finally, eight cases achieved stent‐free state (61.5%) and have remained stent‐free without any episode of cholangitis and abnormal liver function test. Diathermic dilation using 6‐Fr electrocautery dilator is a promising salvage procedure for severe benign biliary stricture when the conventional dilation technique has been ineffective.
Performance evaluation of a self‐administered home oral glucose tolerance test kit in a controlled clinical research setting
Authors: Dunseath G. J. , Bright D. , Jones C. , Dowrick S. , Cheung W.‐Y. , Luzio S. D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate the performance of the current, pre‐production version of a novel home oral glucose tolerance test (Home OGTT) device when administered by trained research nurses, compared with a reference laboratory glucose analyser and a second laboratory analyser, incorporating a sample processing delay to simulate normal practice.MethodsOne hundred women (aged 19–48 years), with and without known glucose intolerance were recruited. Following an overnight fast, participants attended for a 75‐g OGTT. A fasting capillary sample was applied to the Home OGTT device with a corresponding venous sample collected and measured immediately on the reference YSI 2300 stat plus analyser, and following a 1‐h delay on the Randox Daytona Plus analyser. The sampling process was repeated 2 h after the oral glucose load.ResultsSome 97% of tested devices gave complete data for analysis. Good agreement was observed between the reference glucose analyser and the Home OGTT device, with the Home OGTT device displaying a small negative bias (−0.18 mmol/l, −1.75 to 1.39 mmol/mol; −1.0%, −26.4% to 24.5%; absolute and relative mean, 95% limits of agreement). When classified as normal glucose tolerant or glucose intolerant, the Home OGTT device showed 100% and 90% sensitivity, and 99% and 99% specificity using fasting plasma glucose and 2‐h glucose respectively. Similar sensitivity (100% and 100%) and specificity (96% and 99%) for fasting plasma glucose and 2‐h glucose were observed using the secondary analyser.ConclusionsThe novel Home OGTT device was reliable and easy to use and showed excellent agreement with two separate laboratory analysers. The Home OGTT offers potential as an effective alternative for clinic‐based OGTT testing.
Incidence and predictors of recurrent and other new diabetic foot ulcers: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Engberg S. , Kirketerp‐Møller K. , Ullits Andersen H. , Rasmussen A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimsTo estimate progression rates, evaluate risk factors for progression, and study rate ratios for progression among people with a healed diabetic foot ulcer according to whether the healed ulcer was neuropathic, neuro‐ischaemic or critically ischaemic.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study in all individuals with a healed diabetic foot ulcer treated at the Steno Diabetes Centre Copenhagen foot clinic in the period 2010 to 2016. The outcome of interest was recurrent/other new diabetic foot ulcers.ResultsA total of 780 people had a healed diabetic foot ulcer in the study period (2010–2016). The participants were followed for 1249 person‐years [median (Q1–Q3) 1.04 (0.38–2.46) person‐years] in total. One‐third (33.1%) developed a recurrent/other new diabetic foot ulcer per year. Male gender, people with Type 2 diabetes and smokers had a statistically significantly higher risk of progression to a recurrent/other new diabetic foot ulcer compared to participants without these risk factors. Participants with neuro‐ischaemic or critically ischaemic diabetic foot ulcers had statistically significantly higher progression rates than participants with neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers.ConclusionsFocus should be on preventing future recurrent/other new diabetic foot ulcers especially in people with ischaemia.
Allometric growth and adaptive value of exaggerated body parts in the larvae of Gratiana spadicea (Klug) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Ramos Bruna de Cássia M. , Boligon Danessa S. , Moreira Gilson R. P. 
Published: April 2019

1. Larvae of tortoise beetles present exaggerated body parts in association with an abdominal shield, which is made of faeces and exuviae that are deposited on the urogomphi throughout ontogeny. Growth trajectories and scaling relationships of these functional structures associated with the shield, if any, are unknown.2. This study of Gratiana spadicea first tested, under field conditions, whether there is adaptive value associated with the shield regarding protection against predation and sunlight. Then, under laboratory conditions, the growth trajectory and allometric relationships among body parts were investigated, including scoli, individual and apparent furcae, and shield. The influence of food deprivation on the development of these structures was also determined.3. Findings from previous studies were confirmed, suggesting that the adaptive value assigned to the shield is related to protection against predators. The present study demonstrated for the first time that the shield acts as a parasol in cassidines, decreasing the exposure of their larval body to sunlight. The scoli and apparent furca are exaggerated structures of G. spadicea, the development of which involves allometric growth and greater energetic investment (positive allometry) during ontogeny. There was proportionally less energetic investment for somatic construction of individual furca (negative allometry) due to the accumulation of the exuviae.4. The possible consequences, in terms of developmental costs and survivorship benefits associated with the evolution of such exaggerated structures, are discussed.
Human factors testing of the Quanta SC+ hemodialysis system: An innovative system for home and clinic use
Authors: Harasemiw Oksana , Day Clara , Milad John E. , Grainger James , Ferguson Thomas , Komenda Paul 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIntroduction: Uptake rates of home hemodialysis are the lowest among all modality types, despite providing patients with clinical and quality of life benefits at a lower cost to providers. Currently, there is a need to develop dialysis systems that are appealing to patients while also being suitable for use across the continuum of care. The SC+ hemodialysis system was developed by Quanta Dialysis Technologies Ltd. to provide patients with a dialysis system that is small, simple to use, and powerful enough to deliver acceptable dialysis adequacy.Methods: As part of the SC+ design validation, human factors testing was performed with 17 Healthcare Professionals (nephrology nurses and healthcare assistants) and 15 Home Users (patients and caregivers). To assess usability and safety, the human factors testing involved between 4.5 and 6 hours of training and, after a period of training decay, a subsequent test session in which participants independently performed tasks on SC+.Findings: Between the two user groups, there were only 29 errors observed out of 1216 opportunities for errors, despite minimal training. Errors that did occur were minor and attributed to an initial lack of familiarity with the device; none were safety related.Discussion: Among prevalent dialysis patients and healthcare professionals, the SC+ hemodialysis system was easy to use, even with minimal training and a learning decay period, and had a high level of use safety. By taking into account human factors to optimize the user experience, SC+ has the potential to address systemic and patient barriers, allowing for wider self‐care and home hemodialysis adoption.
Efficacy of tailored therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication based on clarithromycin resistance and survey of previous antibiotic exposure: A single‐center prospective pilot study
Authors: Kwon Yong Hwan , Jeon Seong Woo , Nam Su Youn , Lee Hyun Suk , Park Ji Hey 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundAs the prevalence of antibiotic resistance is increasing, the effectiveness of traditional Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) therapies is gradually declining. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tailored therapy (dual priming oligonucleotide [DPO]‐based multiplex PCR) and previous antibiotic exposure survey predicting for antibiotic resistance.Materials and MethodsPatients with H pylori infection who did not receive previous treatment were enrolled. The patients were divided into four groups (no resistance [NR] group, clarithromycin resistance [CLA‐R] group, metronidazole‐resistant [MET‐R] group, and CLA‐ and MET‐resistant [Dual‐R] group) based on the results of dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and previous antibiotic exposure survey, and they were treated with tailored therapy based on antibiotic susceptibility.ResultsConsecutive patients were distributed in the NR (n = 36, 70.6%), CLA‐R (n = 9, 17.6%), and suspected MET‐R (n = 6, 11.8%) group. The overall intention‐to‐treat/per‐protocol eradication rate (ITT/PP) was 92.2%/94.0%. In the subgroup analysis, the ITT and PP of the NR, CLA‐R, and MET‐R groups were 94.4%/94.4%, 77.8%/87.5%, and 100.0%/100.0%, respectively. Total of 31 patients in all subgroups were evaluated for antibiotic resistance; five (16.1%), two (6.5%), and three (9.7%) participants showed CLA, MET, and dual resistance in culture‐based susceptibility test. Compared with culture‐based MIC test, the accuracy of DPO‐based multiplex PCR in determining CLA resistance was 90.3%, while the accuracy of survey in determining MET resistance was only 77.4%.ConclusionA tailored therapy based on DPO‐PCR and history of previous antibiotic use is useful in clinical practice and well correlated with culture‐based susceptibility test.
Prognostic impact of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison with TACE alone using decision‐tree analysis after propensity score matching
Authors: Shimose Shigeo , Tanaka Masatoshi , Iwamoto Hideki , Niizeki Takashi , Shirono Tomotake , Aino Hajime , Noda Yu , Kamachi Naoki , Okamura Shusuke , Nakano Masahito , Kuromatsu Ryoko , Kawaguchi Takumi , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Koga Hironori , Yokokura Yoshinori , Torimura Takuji 
Published: April 2019

AimsThe prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is still poor. We aimed to evaluate the impact of TACE combined with radiofrequency ablation (TACE+RFA) on the prognosis of HCC patients using decision‐tree analysis after propensity score matching.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. We enrolled 420 patients with HCC treated with TACE alone (n = 311) or TACE+RFA (n = 109) between 1998 and 2016 (median age, 72 years; male / female, 272/148; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A / B, 215/205). The prognosis of patients who underwent TACE+RFA was compared to patients who underwent TACE alone after propensity score matching. Decision‐tree analysis was used to investigate the profile for prognosis of the patients.ResultsAfter propensity score matching, there was no significant difference in age, sex, BCLC stage, or albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score between both groups. The survival rate of the TACE+RFA group was significantly higher than the TACE alone group (median survival time [MST] 57.9 months vs. 33.1 months, P < 0.001). In a stratification analysis according to BCLC stage, the overall survival rate of the TACE+RFA group was significantly higher than the TACE alone group in BCLC stage A and B (MST 57.9 and 50.7 months vs. 39.8 and 24.5 months [P = 0.007 and 0.001], respectively). Decision‐tree analysis showed that TACE+RFA was the third distinguishable factor for survival in patients with α‐fetoprotein level >7 ng/mL and ALBI <−2.08.ConclusionDecision‐tree analysis after propensity score matching showed that TACE+RFA could prolong the survival of HCC patients compared to TACE alone.
Giant basal cell carcinoma: clinical–histological characteristics of 115 cases
Authors: Vaca‐Aguilera Martha R. , Guevara‐Gutiérrez Elizabeth , Barrientos‐García Juan G. , Tlacuilo‐Parra Alberto 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIntroductionGiant basal cell carcinoma (GBCC) is a tumor ≥5 cm in size, with aggressive biological behavior, that represents 1% of basal cell carcinomas (BCC), and studies regarding it are scarce. Our objective was to investigate the clinical–histopathological characteristics ofGBCCand the risk factors associated with its development.MethodsA retrospective study over 8 years included patients with the clinical and histopathological diagnosis ofGBCC. Age, sex, localization, size, evolution time, risk factors, and histological variants were compared to conventionalBCC. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, and a value ofP < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOf 5958 patients withBCC, 115 (2%) of them corresponded toGBCC. The average patient age was 73 ± 11 years, and the male sex (52%) and localization on the head and neck (63%) predominated. Average tumor size was 6.6 ± 2.2 cm, evolution time was 96 ± 86 months, and high‐grade histological variants (51%) predominated. The group withGBCChad higher age (P < 0.01), greater frequency in the male sex (P = 0.01), longer evolution time (P < 0.01); a greater prevalence of risk factors (24%vs. 16%,P = 0.01), antecedents of other types of cancer (P = 0.03), and of burns (P = 0.03); and a greater frequency of high‐grade histological variants (51% vs. 29%,P < 0.01).ConclusionsThis is the largest series ofGBCCpublished to date. Findings are similar to those previously reported, although the prevalence found here was greater.
Electron transport behavior of polymer‐derived amorphous silicoboron carbonitrides
Authors: Wang Kewei , Ma Baisheng , Zhang Ligong , Sun Zhenzhong , Wang Yiguang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractElectron transport behavior of polymer‐derived amorphous silicoboron carbonitride (a‐SiBCNs) ceramics was studied by measuring DC/AC conductivities and optical absorption as functions of the temperature. Structural information of materials was investigated by combining X‐ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. Conductive mechanisms and electronic structure of the materials (eg, hopping mechanism, conduction band, band‐tail, and defect energy) were deduced by fitting experimental results to theoretical models. Results revealed that DC/AC conduction of materials followed band‐tail hopping mechanism instead of previously assumed variable‐range hopping mechanism. Hopping mechanism, associated with overlapped band‐tail and defect levels, was likely originated by the presence of certain number of defects and highly disordered structure of materials. The content of donor defects in materials was considered to have great influence on the type of electronic mechanism. These results were discussed in line with microstructural evolution of materials.
Correlations between broad‐scale taxonomic and genetic differentiations suggest a dominant imprint of historical processes on beta diversities
Authors: Robuchon Marine , Leroy Boris , Jézéquel Céline , Hugueny Bernard 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimDispersal limitation, environmental selection and drift are known to influence both taxonomic similarity between communities and genetic similarity between populations. However, disentangling the relative roles of these processes on spatial patterns of differentiation—whether regarding taxonomic differentiation (TD) between communities or genetic differentiation (GD) between populations—is challenging. Investigating whether spatial patterns of TD and GD are correlated (β‐SGDCs) is a promising approach to address this issue. Here, we investigated β‐SGDCs over broad spatial scales and 22 freshwater fish species to elucidate the processes shaping TD and GD between drainage basins.LocationGlobal scope, data mainly from Europe and North America.TaxonActinopterygii and Petromyzontiformes (freshwater fishes).MethodsWe used Mantel tests to investigate the raw correlation between TD and GD. We carried out multiple regressions to characterize the effects of geographic distance (proxy of dispersal limitation), environmental distance (proxy of environmental selection) and pairwise harmonic mean area between basins (proxy of drift) on TD and GD taken separately. We then analyzed the correlation between the residuals of these two regressions with Mantel tests. Finally, we investigated whether the variation in β‐SGDC between species was related to species traits.ResultsWe detected an overall positive β‐SGDC, both for the raw and the residual correlations. This implies that, unmeasured effects, other than geographic distance, environmental distance and harmonic mean area, influence the β‐SGDC observed. Values of β‐SGDCs greatly varied between species, but this was not explained by any species traits.Main conclusionsIndependently of the effects of geographic distance, environmental distance and harmonic mean area, the β‐SGDC we observed suggests that historical processes strongly shaped the patterns of TD and GD between basins. Consequently, TD may be an appropriate proxy to explain the influence of historical processes on GD.