bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Total and natural mortality of red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in Norwegian waters: catch–curve analysis and indirect estimation methods
Authors: Windsland Kristin 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) is native to the Bering Sea, but was deliberately introduced to the Barents Sea during the 1960s. Since then, the red king crab has spread to Norwegian waters, and crab densities have increased sufficiently to support a coastal fishery. Information about total and natural mortality, which is important to ensure adequate management, is lacking. Estimates of annual total mortality (Z) were calculated using length-converted catch curves in three periods of different levels of exploitation. Separate analyses were run on trap and trawl data as well as on original and catch per unit effort-corrected data. Natural mortality was estimated using a linear regression of total mortality and exploitation level and by using indirect methods based on life history parameters. There was a significant increase in Z throughout the consecutive periods in both sexes. In males, the increase coincided with the increase in exploitation level. The increase in female mortality, which was not explained by exploitation level, is probably an effect of the increase in male mortality. Natural mortality (M), estimated using indirect methods, averaged 0.23 for both sexes. The estimated M using linear regression was 0.37/0.44, which may be an overestimate.
Prevention of Perinatal Hepatitis B Virus Transmission
Authors: Nelson Noele P. , Jamieson Denise J. , Murphy Trudy V. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the most common form of chronic hepatitis worldwide, is a major public health problem affecting an estimated 360 million people globally. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is responsible for more than one third of chronic HBV infections worldwide. An estimated 15%–40% of persons chronically infected develop HBV-related complications, such as cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma, and 25% die from these complications. MTCT can occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Screening pregnant women for HBV infection, providing infant postexposure prophylaxis, and maternal treatment with antiviral medications are strategies for reducing MTCT transmission rates and the global burden of new chronic HBV infections. Administration of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine within 24 hours of birth, followed by completion of the vaccine series, is 85%–95% efficacious for prevention of MTCT. Despite timely post-exposure prophylaxis, MTCT occurs in 5%–15% of infants. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive, hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg) positive mothers with HBV DNA level ≥106 copies/mL (&gt;200 000 IU/mL) are at greatest risk of transmitting HBV to their infants. Consensus recommendations and evidence-based guidelines for management of chronic HBV infection and screening of pregnant women have been developed. The safety and efficacy of antiviral drug use during pregnancy are areas of ongoing research. Substantial advances have been achieved globally in reducing MTCT, but MTCT remains an ongoing health problem. Attaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of MTCT, implementing existing policies on maternal screening and infant follow-up, and addressing research gaps are critical for further reductions in MTCT transmission.
Antidepressant Drugs for Prevention of Acute and Chronic Postsurgical Pain
Authors: Wong Karen , Phelan Rachel , Kalso Eija , Galvin Imelda , Goldstein David , Raja Srinivasa , Gilron Ian 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Background:
This review evaluates trials of antidepressants for acute and chronic postsurgical pain.

Methods:
Trials were systematically identified using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Extracted data included the following: pain at rest and with movement, adverse effects, and other outcomes.

Results:
Fifteen studies (985 participants) of early postoperative pain evaluated amitriptyline (three trials), bicifadine (two trials), desipramine (three trials), duloxetine (one trial), fluoxetine (one trial), fluradoline (one trial), tryptophan (four trials), and venlafaxine (one trial). Three studies (565 participants) of chronic postoperative pain prevention evaluated duloxetine (one trial), escitalopram (one trial), and venlafaxine (one trial). Heterogeneity because of differences in drug, dosing regimen, outcomes, and/or surgical procedure precluded any meta-analyses. Superiority to placebo was reported in 8 of 15 trials for early pain reduction and 1 of 3 trials for chronic pain reduction. The majority of positive trials did not report sufficient data to estimate treatment effect sizes. Many studies had inadequate size, safety evaluation/reporting, procedure specificity, and movement-evoked pain assessment.

Conclusions:
There is currently insufficient evidence to support the clinical use of antidepressants—beyond controlled investigations—for treatment of acute, or prevention of chronic, postoperative pain. Multiple positive trials suggest the therapeutic potential of antidepressants, which need to be replicated. Other nontrial evidence suggests potential safety concerns of perioperative antidepressant use. Future studies are needed to better define the risk–benefit ratio of antidepressants in postoperative pain management. Higher-quality trials should optimize dosing, timing and duration of antidepressant treatment, trial size, patient selection, safety evaluation and reporting, procedure specificity, and assessment of movement-evoked pain relevant to postoperative functional recovery.
“Push-Through” Rod Passage Technique for the Improvement of Lumbar Lordosis and Sagittal Balance in Minimally Invasive Adult Degenerative Scoliosis Surgery
Authors: Haque Raqeeb M. , Uddin Omar M. , Ahmed Yousef , El Ahmadieh Tarek Y. , Hashmi Sohaib Z. , Shah Amir , Fessler Richard G. 
Published: August 2014

Summary of Background Data:
Traditional open surgical techniques for correction of adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) are often associated with increased blood loss, postoperative pain, and complications. Minimally invasive (MIS) techniques have been utilized to address these issues; however, concerns regarding improving certain alignment parameters have been raised.

Objective:
A new “push-through” technique for MIS correction of ADS has been developed wherein a rod is bent before its placement into the screw heads and then contoured further to yield improved correction of radiographic parameters.

Methods and Study Design:
Preoperative and postoperative radiographic measurements of 3 patients who underwent MIS correction of scoliosis using the “push-through” technique were compared with 22 prior patients who had received traditional MIS correction. All patients received staged correction of scoliosis. The first stage involved insertion of lateral lumbar interbodies. Standing x-rays were then evaluated for overall global balance. The second stage involved appropriate MIS facetectomies, facet fusions, posterior transforaminal interbodies at lower lumbar segments, and finally the placement of rods.

Technique Overview:
(1) A long rod composed of titanium is bent with a mild lordosis and passed through the extensions of the screw heads cephalad to caudad. (2) The rod is passed fully through the incision so it extrudes from the caudal end of the construct. At this point, further lordosis is bent into the rods. (3) The rod is then pulled back into the appropriate position. (4) The unnecessary cephalad rod is then cut to appropriate length with a circular saw. (5) Rod reducers are then sequentially lowered and tightened to achieve the desired correction.

Results:
Mean age for all patients was 66.02 years. Preoperative coronal Cobb, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and pelvic incidence (PI) were similar in all patients, whereas lumbar lordosis (LL) was smaller (15.27 vs. 29.85 degrees, P=0.00389) and pelvic tilt (PT) was larger (37.00 vs. 27.00 degrees, P=0.00011) in “push-through” patients. Postoperatively, “pushthrough” patients experienced greater correction of LL (21.93 vs. 3.70 degrees, P=0.00001), PI-LL (−18.57 vs. −0.26 degrees, P=0.00471), PT (−7.67 vs. −0.40 degrees, P=0.00341), SVA (−40.67 mm vs. 0.95 mm, P=0.05846), and coronal Cobb (−20.23 vs. −18.76 degrees, P=0.75).

Conclusions:
This new method of contouring a rod enables improved LL. This technique is easy to perform and can be a valuable tool in treating ADS using MIS techniques.
Impact of Hiatal Hernia on Pediatric Dyspeptic Symptoms
Authors: Scarpato Elena , D'Armiento Maria , Martinelli Massimo , Mancusi Valeria , Campione Severo , Alessandrella Annalisa , Staiano Annamaria , Miele Erasmo 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:Hiatal hernia (HH) affects from 10% to 50% of adult population. The correlation between HH, gastroesophageal reflux disease, dyspeptic symptoms, and esophagitis has long been known in adults. The primary objective of our prospective observational study was to estimate the prevalence of HH in children undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), irrespective of their symptoms.Methods:We prospectively enrolled 111 consecutive children (48 boys and 63 girls; mean age 94.9 ± 52.3 months) referred for EGD. In all of the patients a symptomatic score assessment based on the Rome III criteria was used to measure frequency, severity, and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. HH presence was endoscopically defined; esophagitis presence was evaluated either endoscopically and histologically. Children were divided in 2 age‐range groups: <48 months (group 1) and >48 months (group 2).Results:Twenty‐three patients of 111 (20.7%) had evidence of a sliding HH at EGD. In children from group 2, we found a statistically significant association of HH with heartburn (P = 0.03, 95% confidence interval 1–9.3, r2 = 0.1) and regurgitation (P = 0.003, 95% confidence interval 1.7–20.4, r2 = 0.3). Regarding esophagitis presence, no association was found at any age either with defined esophagitis or with dilated intercellular spaces.Conclusions:Prevalence of HH in our study population was 20.7%. According to our data, HH correlates with the presence of heartburn and regurgitation in children, but not in toddlers. No association was found with esophagitis at any age.
Clues for Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy in Children With Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension
Authors: D'Antiga Lorenzo , Dacchille Patrizia , Boniver Clementina , Poledri Sara , Schiff Sami , Zancan Lucia , Amodio Piero 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTObjective:In children with noncirrhotic extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO), minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) was reported in a few series, but neither is it routinely investigated nor does consensus about its diagnosis exist. In this prospective observational study we aimed at detecting the prevalence of MHE in children with EHPVO and providing a practical diagnostic protocol.Methods:A consecutive sample of 13 noncirrhotic children (age range 4–18 years) with EHPVO underwent a screening for MHE based on level of fasting ammonia, quantified electroencephalogram (EEG) evaluation, and a wide battery of 26 psychometric tests exploring learning ability, abstract reasoning, phonemic and semantic fluency, selective attention, executive functions, short‐term verbal and visual memory, long‐term verbal memory, and visuopractic ability.Results:Five children had at least 2 altered psychometric tests. Selective attention, executive function, and short‐term visual memory were the domains more frequently altered, and 4 tests were enough to detect 80% of these children. Fasting ammonia plasma level was increased in 6 children. EEG mean dominant frequency adjusted for age was associated with serum ammonia concentration (β = −0.44 ± 0.19, P < 0.05). As a whole, children with EHPVO showed trends for lower α (median 41% vs 49%) and higher θ power than controls (median 41% vs 49% and 29% vs 20%, respectively).Conclusions:MHE affects approximately 50% of children with EHPVO and, therefore, is worthwhile to be investigated. Three simple tools, serum ammonia, quantified EEG, and neuropsychological examination, focused on selective attention, executive function, and short‐term visual memory can be used effectively in the evaluation of MHE in this setting.
γ‐Glutamyl Transpeptidase Level as a Screening Marker Among Diverse Etiologies of Infantile Intrahepatic Cholestasis
Authors: Lu Fang‐Ting , Wu Jia‐Feng , Hsu Hong‐Yuan , Ni Yen‐Hsuan , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Chao Chien‐I , Chen Huey‐Ling 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:Low γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) level is an important marker for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, yet the cutoff level and clinical application is not well defined. This study aimed to evaluate the role of GGT as a screening marker among diverse etiologies of infantile cholestasis.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 256 cholestatic infants admitted to a tertiary referral center between 2000 and 2012. After excluding 121 infants of extrahepatic cholestasis, advanced investigations for 135 infants with intrahepatic cholestasis were performed. The etiologies, outcomes, and correlations with GGT levels were analyzed. Good prognosis was defined as clinical recovery before 1 year of age; poor prognosis as persistent disease, liver transplantation, or death before 1 year.Results:Among 135 patients of intrahepatic cholestasis, >12 different etiologies were found. Neonatal hepatitis (49.6%), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (21.5%), and neonatal cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (10.4%) were the leading causes. Patients with initial GGT between 75 and 300 U/L had a higher chance of good prognosis (61/74, 82.4%) than those with GGT <75 U/L or >300 U/L (25/61, 41%, P < 0.0001). In the low‐GGT group (≤100U/L), 52.6% (30/57) of the patients have good prognosis; and GGT level ≤75U/L has a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 100%, 43.3%, and 61.4% in predicting poor prognosis.Conclusions:Patients with GGT levels ≤75 or ≥300 U/L should receive advanced investigations such as genetic/metabolic assays early; otherwise, the amount of diagnostic workup may be limited if no signs of progressive disease.
Determinants of bank selection by university undergrads in south east Nigeria: empirical evidence
Authors: D. Nkamnebe Anayo , Ukenna Steve , Anionwu Carol , Chibuike Victoria 
Published: August 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to identify and ranks factors that influence bank selection by undergrads in South East Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach
– Totally, 300 undergrads were sampled from two universities. Five-point Likert-type question containing 49 bank selection items was designed to collect primary data. Cronbach's α was used to test the reliability of the instrument while factor analysis with principal component extraction was used to identify the underlying factors.

Findings
– Six principal factors were identified and ranked in order of importance. These factors are: bank's financial stability, available and functional ATMs, professional bank staff, family and friends influence, proximity of bank branch to university campus, and internal and external aesthetics of bank.

Practical implications
– This study provides insight on the factors that influence the selection of a bank in the emerging and growing undergrads segment of bank market in Nigeria, which has obvious management and theory implications.

Originality/value
– Reports bank selection criteria from apparently under-researched and under-reported undergrad segment in a typical sub-Saharan African context.
The determinants of capital structure
Authors: Ukaegbu Ben , Oino Isaiah 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there are differences between the determinants of the capital structure in financial and manufacturing firms and also assess how the speed of adjustment differs.Design/methodology/approach– This study employed balanced panels data procedure using pooled ordinary least square, the random effects and fixed effects on manufacturing firms and banks that are listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange. The use of the three estimation method is in order to make a meaningful comparison between the models.Findings– The findings indicate that there are similarities and differences in the capital structure determinants on the two sets of firms: banks tend to be more leveraged when they are more profitable and manufacturing firms tend to be less leveraged when they are profitable. In addition, banks adjust their leverage faster at a speed of 69 per cent than manufacturing firms at 46 per cent. The study also shows that changes in the economy influence the capital structure of financial firms more than that of manufacturing firms.Research limitations/implications– The study only focused on one economy.Practical implications– As a result of 2008 global financial crisis, there has been intense debate on the significance of regulatory capital. The study demonstrate the need for regulatory capital in banks to be procyclical rather than being static.Originality/value– To the best of the knowledge, this is the first paper to empirically test how capital structure differ between banks and non-financial institutions.
The deductibility of Sarbanes-Oxley costs incurred by Australasian companies
Authors: Harrison Julie , Keating Mark 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– This paper aims to examine the nature of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) costs incurred by subsidiaries of USA parent companies, and considers whether any value flows to non-USA subsidiaries. Deductibility is analysed under both the general deductibility provisions and the transfer pricing regimes of Australia and New Zealand (NZ). Reference is also made to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) transfer pricing guidelines and the US transfer pricing regulations. Australasian and New Zealand subsidiaries of US parent companies frequently incur costs related to their parent’s regulatory reporting requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Tax authorities, generally, view these costs as “shareholder activities”, i.e. activities performed for the benefit of the parent only. As such, they are considered non-deductible to the subsidiaries of USA parents because an independent party dealing at arm’s length would not pay to receive similar services. We consider circumstances in which some costs may be deductible.Design/methodology/approach– Legal analysis.Findings– We conclude that there can be circumstances where these so-called shareholder activities do provide value to subsidiaries and, accordingly, may (or should) be deductible in the local jurisdiction.Research limitations/implications– This analysis is limited to a consideration of Australian, NZ, OECD and US sources.Practical implications– This paper provides an analysis of the deductibility of a type of expenditure commonly encountered by subsidiaries of US parent companies.Originality/value– Limited research is available that deals with this issue. In most cases, only general statements on deductibility of similar types of expenditure are available to taxpayers.
Herding in the mutual fund industry: evidence from Chile
Authors: Lavin Jaime F. , Magner Nicolás S. 
Published: August 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify elements of intentional herd behavior (HB), differentiating it from spurious, or unintentional HB.Design/methodology/approachUsing a panel of 50 stocks belonging to 18 Chilean equity mutual funds between December 2002 and October 2009, with manually collected data regarding physical positions of monthly purchases and sales, the authors calculate the level of HB and, by applying panel regressions with fixed and random effects, analyze the factors that determine this behavior, classifying them as agency, information, efficiency and behavioral problems.FindingsThe research establishes that among Chilean equity mutual funds, there is a herding of 2.8 percent, implying that for 100 funds trading a certain stock, 53 go in the same direction and 47 in another. This effect increases during widespread market dips and when stocks become fashionable, attracting market attention. This behavior is not merely spurious, associated with variables that predict returns, but also has an intentional component, related to agency problems and information, and a behavioral component, related to investors’ biases and beliefs.Originality/valueThe paper is original because, despite existing evidence of herding in international markets, it has been little quantified or studied in emerging markets. In addition, the literature does not distinguish between spurious and intentional HB, nor does it test different hypotheses jointly to explain the phenomenon.
Living with the New Nordic Diet
Authors: Micheelsen Arun , Holm Lotte , O’Doherty Jensen Katherine 
Published: August 2014

Purpose
– Based on New Nordic Cuisine and Nordic dietary recommendations, the research centre OPUS has developed a healthy, sustainable and tasty New Nordic Diet (NND) with the goal of improving public health in Denmark. In order to determine the health potential of the NND, a six-month, controlled dietary intervention trial was conducted, in which participants procured NND foods at a specially designed intervention supermarket and prepared and consumed NND meals in their homes. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– A qualitative sociological study was conducted among intervention participants in order to explore whether and how they appropriated this diet into their everyday food practices.

Findings
– Participants appropriated the NND by becoming co-producers of this diet, tailoring it to accord with individual preferences and the demands of everyday life. Findings indicate that while the taste of the NND is likely to appeal to wider groups of consumers, the tasks of food procurement and preparation are likely to constitute barriers to its adoption. The strictly controlled intervention setting enabled participants to learn how to comply with dietary composition despite their deviations from given menu-plans and recipes. The extent to which such compliance would be achieved outside this context by other consumers is questioned. Further studies are needed to determine whether more widespread consumption of the NND would in practice comply with Nordic dietary recommendations.

Originality/value
– The study provides insights relevant to health agencies, public health researchers and food companies regarding consumer appropriation of a dietary system, the health benefits of which are dependent upon dietary compliance.