bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impacts of the Presence of Disabled Members on Intra‐household Allocation in Older Australian Households
Authors: Gong Xiaodong , Brown Laurie 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this article, we investigate the consumption patterns of older Australian households. Our special focus is on the impact of the presence of disabled household members on households’ allocation of their consumption expenditure. The results reveal that for older Australian households, recreation, clothing, and other goods and services are luxury goods, while food and housing are found to be necessities. We find that families with disabled members have to spend more on necessities at the expense of more luxury goods, such as recreation.
The Rising Systemic Importance of Chinese Banks: Should the World Be Concerned?
Authors: Kemal Avkiran Necmi , Mi Lin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInternational regulators use data on systemic importance for additional capital requirements for banks with cross‐jurisdictional operations. Chinese banks’ importance scores have risen significantly and China stands as the world's largest net creditor. Furthermore, commercial banks in China have recorded higher non‐performing loans ratios across 2013–2015. Tracking systemic risk is a core activity in enabling macroprudential regulation. We focus on Chinese commercial banks and rank them as domestic systemically important banks (D‐SIBs). We then identify those high ranking D‐SIBs that are also global systemically important banks (G‐SIBs). We investigate whether high ranking D‐SIB/G‐SIB banks have adequate capital and their interconnectedness.
Where Is the Chinese Economy Going? A Forum on Contemporary Policy and Performance
Authors: Garnaut Ross , Johnston Lauren , Song Ligang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractChina adopted a new model of growth from 2011, requiring substantial structural change. This introductory article presents statistical evidence on progress so far. Change generally is in the required direction, but slow. There has been early but slow progress on re‐orienting domestic demand towards consumption; substantial re‐orientation from reliance on exports towards domestic demand; and rapid change at the margin in the energy mix towards low‐emissions sources. Investment in human capital is proceeding rapidly along lines required by the new model. So far, productivity growth has been slow, raising questions about future progress.
The Impact of WIC on Infant Immunizations and Health Care Utilization
Authors: Bersak Tim , Sonchak Lyudmyla 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo test how prenatal participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) impacts health care utilization and immunizations within the first year of an infant's life.Data SourceWe utilize comprehensive South Carolina Medicaid claims data from 2004 to 2013 linked with birth certificates data from 2004 to 2012. These data contain information on WIC participation and all health care utilization within the first year of an infant's life.Study DesignWe employ a maternal fixed‐effects empirical design to control for unobserved factors that influence WIC participation and health care utilization.Principal FindingsWe estimate that WIC participation increases infant health care utilization within the first year of life by 0.20 well‐child visits (95 percent CI 0.16–0.23), by 0.22 vaccinations (95 percent CI 0.17–0.27), and by increasing the probability of receiving care in an emergency room by 2.9 percentage points (95 percent CI 2.0–3.8). Additionally, our results show that WIC participation decreases the average number of days an infant spends in the hospital within his or her first year of life by 0.41 days (95 percent CI 0.22–0.60).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that WIC may increase health care costs in some dimensions while reducing it in others, and more work is needed to fully evaluate the impact of the program on future expenditures.
A Three‐Locus, PCR‐based Method for Forensic Identification of Plant Material
Authors: Srivastava Tushar , Wu Michael , Kakhnovich Julia , Waithaka Bridgit , Lents Nathan H. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPlant residue is currently an underutilized resource in forensic investigations despite the fact that many crime scenes, as well as suspects and victims, harbor plant‐derived residue that could be recovered and analyzed. Notwithstanding the considerable skill of forensic botanists, current methods of species determination could benefit from tools for DNA‐based species identification. However, DNA barcoding in plants has been hampered by sequence complications in the plant genome. Following a database search for usable barcodes, broad‐spectrum primers were designed and utilized to amplify and sequence the rbcL, trnL‐F, and rrn18 genetic loci from a variety of household plants. Once obtained, these DNA sequences were used to design species‐targeted primers that could successfully discriminate the source of plant residue from among the 21 species tested.
Lactate ≥2 mmol/L plus qSOFA improves utility over qSOFA alone in emergency department patients presenting with suspected sepsis
Authors: Shetty Amith , MacDonald Stephen PJ , Williams Julian M , van Bockxmeer John , de Groot Bas , Esteve Cuevas Laura M , Ansems Annemieke , Green Malcolm , Thompson Kelly , Lander Harvey , Greenslade Jaimi , Finfer Simon , Iredell Jonathan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe Sepsis‐3 task force recommends the use of the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score to identify risk for adverse outcomes in patients presenting with suspected infection. Lactate has been shown to predict adverse outcomes in patients with suspected infection. The aim of the study is to investigate the utility of a post hoc lactate threshold (≥2 mmol/L) added qSOFA score (LqSOFA(2) score) to predict primary composite adverse outcomes (mortality and/or ICU stay ≥72 h) in patients presenting to ED with suspected sepsis.MethodsRetrospective cohort study was conducted on a merged dataset of suspected or proven sepsis patients presenting to ED across multiple sites in Australia and The Netherlands. Patients are identified as candidates for quality improvement initiatives or research studies at respective sites based on local screening procedures. Data‐sharing was performed across sites of demographics, qSOFA, SOFA, lactate thresholds and outcome data for included patients. LqSOFA(2) scores were calculated by adding an extra point to qSOFA score in patients who met lactate thresholds of ≥2 mmol/L.ResultsIn a merged dataset of 12 555 patients where a full qSOFA score and outcome data were available, LqSOFA(2) ≥2 identified more patients with an adverse outcome (sensitivity 65.5%, 95% confidence interval 62.6–68.4) than qSOFA ≥2 (sensitivity 47.6%, 95% confidence interval 44.6– 50.6). The post hoc addition of lactate threshold identified higher proportion of patients at risk of adverse outcomes.ConclusionsThe lactate ≥2 mmol/L threshold‐based LqSOFA(2) score performs better than qSOFA alone in identifying risk of adverse outcomes in ED patients with suspected sepsis.
Serum fetuin‐B is positively associated with intrahepatic triglyceride content and increases the risk of insulin resistance in obese Chinese adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Dongmei , Liu Yijie , Liu Suhuan , Lin Lin , Liu Changqin , Shi Xiulin , Chen Zheng , Lin Mingzhu , Yang Shuyu , Li Zhibin , Li Xuejun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundFetuin‐B impairs insulin action in myotubes and hepatocytes and causes glucose intolerance in mice. This study explored the correlation between serum fetuin‐B and intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content, and the association between fetuin‐B and the risk of insulin resistance in the general adult population.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of 1318 obese adults who underwent serum fetuin‐B testing and hepatic ultrasonography was conducted in Xiamen, China. The IHTG content was determined in 428 subjects by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.ResultsNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence was significantly higher in those with the highest serum fetuin‐B concentrations and the highest IHTC content (Tertile 3) than in subjects in Tertiles 1 and 2 (62.6% vs 60.7% and 54.3%, respectively [P = 0.032], and 15.3% vs 12.8% and 12.7%, respectively [P = 0.049]). There was a significant association between increasing serum fetuin‐B tertiles and both increasing fasting insulin concentrations (mean [± SD] 11.9 ± 6.8, 12.7 ± 7.6, and 13.3 ± 6.4 mIU/L in Tertiles 1, 2 and 3, respectively; P = 0.006) and prevalence of insulin resistance (54.4%, 58.9%, and 64.5% in Tertiles 1, 2 and 3, respectively; P = 0.010). In linear regression analysis, IHTG content was independently and positively correlated with serum fetuin‐B (regression coefficient 0.015; P = 0.045). With adjustment for potential confounders, serum fetuin‐B was independently associated with increased risk of insulin resistance, with an adjusted odds ratio per standard deviation increase in fetuin‐B of 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.01–1.30; P = 0.031).ConclusionsThe results demonstrate the role of fetuin‐B linking liver fat accumulation to insulin resistance in humans.
Criminal Liability of Corporations for Trafficking in Human Beings for Labour Exploitation
Authors: Planitzer Julia , Katona Nora 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLegal instruments at the European level clearly define that States have an obligation to establish corporate liability for trafficking in human beings (THB). The monitoring of the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings shows that, in general, the respective legislation for corporate criminal liability already largely exists in the States’ Parties. However, application of the legislation seems to lag behind, since relevant cases were identified in only a few States. By analysing these legal mechanisms with a focus on Austria, studying case law in Belgium and Cyprus, and conducting interviews with stakeholders, the authors identify obstacles for the application of corporate criminal liability in the context of THB. Based on case law, the paper analyses the potential of corporate criminal liability for exploited persons to have access to compensation and describes challenges in this field. Cases on corporate criminal liability for THB seem to focus on sanctioning the companies and ensuring compensation might be seen as a rather secondary priority.
International Accounting Standards in Africa: Selective Recursivity for the ‘Happy Few’?
Authors: Botzem Sebastian , Quack Sigrid , Zori Solomon 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study explores recursivity in international accounting standard‐setting, focusing on participation of actors from African countries. While the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation bases its legitimacy claims as a global standard‐setter on a combination of expertise and a formally transparent set of recursive procedures for consultation of stakeholders, empirical results show that participation in the latter is geographically very uneven. The article argues that conceptual mismatch between the standard‐setter's objectives on the one hand and the socio‐economic, cultural and political conditions in many African countries on the other leads to selective recursivity that is problematic for the former's legitimacy and effectiveness. These findings are of wider relevance for debates on global standard‐setting and development.
Two new inscriptions mentioning Rabbum ʾAkhṭar, a military commander of the Sabaean king in the first half of the third century AD
Authors: Rijziger Sarah 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRabbum ʾAkhṭar, known from three inscriptions so far in which he is mentioned together with at least one of his brothers, was a high‐ranking official of the Sabaean king Shāʿirum ʾAwtar. Among other wars, he participated in the battle that resulted in the defeat of Shabwa, the capital of the kingdom of Ḥaḍramawt. We can now add two new inscriptions in which this man is mentioned. Here, his name Rabbum is newly confirmed, the name of his father is revealed and his being referred to, on one occasion, as ‘lord’ gives us a clue as to his social status. This paper gives an overview of the old and new data concerning this important figure of South Arabian history in the first half of the third century AD.
The effect of 52 week highs and lows on analyst stock recommendations
Authors: Lin Mei‐Chen 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this study, I examine whether analysts use the 52 week high and low as reference prices for recommendation revisions. My results show that the proximity and recency of the 52 week high increase the odds of stocks being upgraded. When analysts upgrade a stock whose 52 week high occurred in the distant past, they provide more valuable information to investors than that based on the proximity ratio of the 52 week high. More‐experienced analysts provide more valuable recommendations when they upgrade (downgrade) based on either the nearness or recency of the 52 week high (low) than less‐experienced analysts do.
Surgical correction of Peyronie's disease via tunica albuginea plication: long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Seveso M. , Melegari S. , De Francesco O. , Macchi A. , Romero Otero J. , Taverna G. , Bozzini G. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryPeyronie's disease (PD) is an acquired connective tissue disorder of the tunica albuginea with fibrosis and inflammation that lead to palpable plaques formation, penile curvature, and pain during erection. Patients report negative effects on main domains such as physical appearance and self‐image, sexual function, and performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate plication of the albuginea outcomes after a long‐term follow‐up period. Between 1998 and 2006, a total of 204 patients with PD underwent surgical correction with albuginea plication technique. We obtained complete long‐term follow‐up data in 187 cases. The follow‐up data included evaluation of curvature correction, penile shortening, sexual function, complications, and patient satisfaction. After a mean follow‐up of 141 months, the most common postoperative complications were: loss of length (150 patients had a minimal penile shortening ≤1.5 cm, 37 patient between 1.5, and 3 cm, none >3 cm), recurrent or residual penile curvature (15 patients, without impairing sexual intercourse), erectile dysfunction (15 patients had IIEF‐5 < 10 at 5 years of follow‐up vs. 28 patients at 10 years), change in penile sensation (37 patients experienced paresthesia of the glans 1 year after surgery, 28 at 5 years, and 15 at 10 years); painful or palpable suture knots (in 20 cases) spontaneously healed in 3 months. Overall, 77% of the patients and partners were completely satisfied, 14% partially satisfied, and 9% unsatisfied. Plication procedure is safe and simple to be performed compared with the classical Nesbit's procedure. It has a shorter surgical time, lower costs, and could be successfully performed by less experienced surgeons too. It has a minimal risk of de novo erectile dysfunction, injury to the dorsal neurovascular bundle. Results are good in terms of patient satisfaction according to anatomical outcome and functional correction.
The association between varicocoeles and vascular disease: an analysis of U.S. claims data
Authors: Wang N. N. , Dallas K. , Li S. , Baker L. , Eisenberg M. L. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryS‪tudies have suggested an association between varicocele, hypogonadism, and elevated oxidative stress markers, but no other health risks have been associated with varicoceles. ‬‬‬‬We sought to determine the association between varicocele and incident medical comorbidities. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Using the Truven Health MarketScan® claims database from 2001 to 2009, we identified 4459 men with varicoceles, and 100,066 controls based on ICD‐9 and CPT codes, with an average follow‐up of 3.1 person years. Men with varicoceles were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on co‐existing diagnoses. Men with medical comorbidities present before or within 1 year of index diagnosis were excluded. Metabolic and cardiovascular outcome variables were identified via ICD‐9 codes. A Cox regression analysis was used to assess incident risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease amongst the different groups. Men with varicoceles had a higher incidence of heart disease compared to men who underwent infertility testing (HR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.45), and men who underwent vasectomy (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13–1.54). The varicoceles group also had a higher risk of diabetes (HR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.37–2.18) and hyperlipidemia (HR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.28) compared to the vasectomy group. Furthermore, men with symptomatic varicoceles (n = 3442) had a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia following diagnosis, while men with asymptomatic varicoceles (n = 1017) did not. Given the prevalence of varicoceles, further research is needed to understand the implications of a varicocele to a man's overall health.
Effects of the insulin‐like growth factor system on testicular differentiation and function: a review of the literature
Authors: Cannarella R. , Condorelli R. A. , La Vignera S. , Calogero A. E. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryWe recently described the occurrence of cryptorchidism, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and genital abnormalities in patients with distal 15q chromosome structural abnormalities. This observation brought us to hypothesize that insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) receptor (IGF1R), mapping on the 15q 26.3 chromosomal band, may be involved in testicular function. To further evaluate this topic, we reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies exploring the role of the IGF system [IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, insulin receptor substrates (IRS)] at the testicular level both in animals and in humans. In animals, IGF1/IGF1R has been found to be involved in testicular development during embryogenesis, in Sertoli cell (SC) proliferation, and in germ cell (GS) proliferation and differentiation. Interestingly, IGF1R seems to mediate follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) effects through the PI3K/AKT pathway. In humans, IGF1 directly increases testicular volume. The molecular pathways responsible for testicular differentiation and IGF1/IGF1R signaling are highly conserved among species; therefore, the IGF system may be involved in FSH signaling also in humans. We suggest a possible molecular pathway occurring in human SCs, which involves both IGF1 and FSH through the PI3K/AKT pathway. The acknowledgment of an IGF1 mediation of the FSH‐induced effects may open new ways for a targeted therapy in idiopathic non‐FSH‐responder oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
Long‐term penile morphometric alterations in patients treated with robot‐assisted versus open radical prostatectomy
Authors: Capogrosso P. , Ventimiglia E. , Cazzaniga W. , Stabile A. , Pederzoli F. , Boeri L. , Gandaglia G. , Dehò F. , Briganti A. , Montorsi F. , Salonia A. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryNeglected side effects after radical prostatectomy have been previously reported. In this context, the prevalence of penile morphometric alterations has never been assessed in robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy series. We aimed to assess prevalence of and predictors of penile morphometric alterations (i.e. penile shortening or penile morphometric deformation) at long‐term follow‐up in patients submitted to either robot‐assisted (robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy) or open radical prostatectomy. Sexually active patients after either robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy or open radical prostatectomy prospectively completed a 28‐item questionnaire, with sensitive issues regarding sexual function, namely orgasmic functioning, climacturia and changes in morphometric characteristics of the penis. Only patients with a post‐operative follow‐up ≥ 24 months were included. Patients submitted to either adjuvant or salvage therapies or those who refused to comprehensively complete the questionnaire were excluded from the analyses. A propensity‐score matching analysis was implemented to control for baseline differences between groups. Logistic regression models tested potential predictors of penile morphometric alterations at long‐term post‐operative follow‐up. Overall, 67 (50%) and 67 (50%) patients were included after open radical prostatectomy or robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, respectively. Self‐rated post‐operative penile shortening and penile morphometric deformation were reported by 75 (56%) and 29 (22.8%) patients, respectively. Rates of penile shortening and penile morphometric deformation were not different after open radical prostatectomy and robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy [all p > 0.5]. At univariable analysis, self‐reported penile morphometric alterations (either penile shortening or penile morphometric deformation) were significantly associated with baseline international index of erectile function–erectile function scores, body mass index, post‐operative erectile function recovery, year of surgery and type of surgery (all p < 0.05). At multivariable analysis, robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy was independently associated with a lower risk of post‐operative penile morphometric alterations (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16–0.93). Self‐perceived penile morphometric alterations were reported in one of two patients after radical prostatectomy at long‐term follow‐up, with open surgery associated with a potential higher risk of this self‐perception.
Does using testicular sperm retrieval rather than ejaculated spermatozoa improve reproductive outcomes in couples with previous ART failure and poor ovarian response? A case‐controlled study
Authors: Gilman A.R. , Younes G. , Tannus S. , Son W.Y. , Chan P. , Buckett W. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThe objective of this study was to assess whether testicular‐retrieved spermatozoa improve reproductive outcomes compared to fresh ejaculate in women with poor ovarian response and a history of previous ART failure. The study was performed as a retrospective case–control study at a university‐based reproductive center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Eighteen poor‐responder patients were matched 3 : 1 with 54 controls. Poor responders were defined as those with ≤3 oocytes retrieved at oocyte pickup. Cases were identified as poor responders, and only those with previous IVF failure(s) as an indication for testicular‐retrieved spermatozoa were included. Controls were age and cycle attempt number matched. All patients were included only once. From January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2015, all patients and controls underwent an IVF cycle using ICSI with either testicular spermatozoa or ejaculated spermatozoa, respectively. Outcomes included live birth rate, pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, oocyte number, and embryo transfer (ET) day. The results showed live birth rates, pregnancy rates, and miscarriage rates were similar. There were fewer day 2 ETs (8.5% vs. 48.6%, p = 0.01) and more day 5 blastocyst transfers (25.0% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.05) in the testicular sperm retrieval group compared to controls and thus an overall suggestion of better embryo quality in the testicular sperm group. Overall, however, the use of testicular sperm retrieval appears to add little. Women with poor ovarian response typically have a poor prognosis with respect to live birth rates, and this is further supported in this study. The suggestion of better embryo quality in the testicular‐retrieved sperm group would need to be further assessed in a larger multicentered study.