bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of canine glaucoma presented to University of Zurich from 1995 to 2009. Part 1: Congenital and primary glaucoma (4 and 123 cases)
Authors: Strom Ann Refstrup , Hässig Michael , Iburg Tine M. , Spiess Bernhard M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjective To investigate the epidemiology of canine congenital and primary glaucoma in the cases presented to the University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty (UZH) from 1995 to 2009.Methods Information was obtained from the computer database of patients examined by members of the UZH Ophthalmology Service, between January 1995 and August 2009. Congenital and primary glaucoma was diagnosed based on the age of onset, the lack of evidence of any antecedent eye conditions, and/or the presence and severity of iridocorneal angle defects. The data was evaluated for breed, gender and age at presentation.Results A total of 5984 dogs presented to the UZH Ophthalmology service between 1995 and 2009. Four dogs of different breed were diagnosed with congenital glaucoma and 123 dogs were diagnosed with primary glaucoma. For the primary glaucomas the overall male to female ratio (M:F) was 1:1.41 and the age of onset ranged from 0.12 to 18.3 years with a mean of 7.3 ± 3.6 years. Data suggested a predisposition for primary glaucoma in the Siberian Husky, Magyar Vizsla and Newfoundland from 2004 to 2009.Conclusion The report presents the epidemiology of canine congenital and primary glaucomas presented to the UZH from 1995 to 2009. A previous suspicion of predisposition for primary glaucoma in the Newfoundland dog (n = 6) and the Magyar Vizsla breed (n = 8) was confirmed.
Client Risk Factors and Audit Resource Allocation Decisions
Authors: FUKUKAWA HIRONORI , MOCK THEODORE J. , WRIGHT ARNOLD 
Published: March 2011

While contemporary auditing standards such as ISA 315 provide broad categories of client risks, prior research regarding audit resource allocation decisions has been based on individual client risks. This study contributes to the literature by using factor analysis to examine how individual client risks are categorized into broad risk factors and by examining the extent to which such broad risk factors are associated with audit engagement planning decisions. These issues are important because auditing standards direct auditors to consider risk patterns and interrelationships in addition to individual risks. Finally, we consider additional individual client risks that reflect those relevant to contemporaneous audit approaches and have not been examined in prior studies.Based on archival data extracted from the working papers of 228 clients of a Japanese audit firm, we find that individual client risks empirically group together in a way that is similar to categories discussed in recent auditing standards. We also find significant relationships between audit resource allocation decisions and broad risk factors that have not been found in prior studies which use individual risk assessments in their models. Finally, we find that client risks that are emphasized in holistic audit approaches such as aggressiveness of forecasts and industry decline also have a significant impact on audit resource allocations.
Optimal Expansion Financing and Prior Financial Structure*
Authors: SARKAR SUDIPTO 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper identifies jointly the optimal investment trigger and the optimal financing package for a corporate expansion project, using a real‐option ‘trade‐off’ model with agency problems. It also identifies the optimal initial capital structure of the firm (before the expansion). We show that it is generally optimal to use more debt than equity to finance the expansion. The other results are as follows: (i) existing debt has a negative effect, while the debt component of expansion financing has a positive effect, on investment; (ii) the debt component of the optimal expansion financing package is a decreasing function of the pre‐expansion leverage ratio (consistent with mean reverting leverage ratios), and is also decreasing in the magnitude of the expansion opportunity; and (iii) the optimal pre‐expansion leverage ratio is a decreasing function of both the firm's profitability and the magnitude of the growth opportunity. These relationships are generally consistent with empirical evidence, and help reconcile the trade‐off theory of capital structure with apparently contradictory empirical evidence.
Two Common Problems in Capital Structure Research: The Financial‐Debt‐To‐Asset Ratio and Issuing Activity Versus Leverage Changes
Authors: WELCH IVO 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper points out two common problems in capital structure research. First, although it is not clear whether non‐financial liabilities should be considered debt, they should never be considered as equity. Yet, the common financial‐debt‐to‐asset ratio (FD/AT) measure of leverage commits this mistake. Thus, research on increases in FD/AT explains, at least in part, decreases in non‐financial liabilities. Future research should avoid FD/AT altogether. The paper also quantifies the components of the balance sheet of large publicly traded corporations and discusses the role of cash in measuring leverage ratios. Second, equity‐issuing activity should not be viewed as equivalent to capital structure changes. Empirically, the correlation between the two is weak. The capital structure and capital issuing literature are distinct.
Monte Carlo Simulations and Capital Structure Research*
Authors: CHANG XIN , DASGUPTA SUDIPTO 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe evolution of the debt ratio under alternative types of managerial behavior can generate non‐standard leverage processes. This creates problems for statistical inference in empirical capital structure research. We argue in this paper that when the data generating process is not standard, a useful way to evaluate the appropriateness of inferences and the empirical methodology is via Monte Carlo simulations that mimic the data generating process under alternative assumptions about managerial behavior. We illustrate with several examples.
Experiences of caretime during hospitalization in a medical ward: older patients’ perspective
Authors: Andersson Lena , Burman Marie , Skär Lisa 
Published: March 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 646–652Experiences of caretime during hospitalization in a medical ward: older patients’ perspectiveThe population is ageing the world over, and there is an increasing prevalence of chronic illness and complex conditions. Older people are at greater risk of having several complications than the general population, leading to more time spent in hospital and an increased risk of readmission. The most specific need of older patients is often the multiple need of care. The aim of this study was to describe older patients’ experiences of caretime during a hospitalization in a medical ward. Data were collected with semi‐structured interviews with nine older patients, and analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. The analysis resulted in two themes and five categories. The results show that caretime during hospitalization includes a lot of waiting and that patients manage the waiting in different ways. The results also point out the importance of patients developing good relationships with professionals since good relations creates feelings of security and can reduce anxiety and fear during a hospital stay. The patients pointed out the importance of being more involved in their own care and asked for more detailed information about the hospital stay. The results revealed that information makes patients’ more secure and safe during a hospitalization and makes them participate and affect their own care and treatment more.
Comparison of language impairment in late-onset depression and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: da Silva Novaretti Tânia M. , D'Ávila Freitas Maria I. , Mansur Letícia L. , Nitrini Ricardo , Radanovic Marcia 
Published: March 2011

Objectives:Depression and dementia are highly prevalent in the elderly. Language impairment is an inherent component of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which can also be encountered in depressed patients. The aim of this study wasto compare the profiles of language abilities in late-onset depression and mild AD groups.Methods:We studied 25 patients with late-onset depression (mean age 73.6 ± 6.6 years; schooling 9.1 ± 5.7 years) and 30 patients with mild AD (77.6 ± 5.4 years; 7.5 ± 7.1 years) using the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (ABCD), compared to a group of 30 controls (73.8 ± 5.8 years; 9.1 ± 5.4 years). Cut-off scores to discriminate between Controls × Depression and Depression × AD were determined.Results:Depressed patients' scores were similar to AD in confrontation naming, concept definition, following commands, repetition and reading comprehension (sentence). Episodic memory and mental status subtests were useful in differentiating depressed patients from AD, a result that was reproduced when using analysis of covariance to control for the effect of age in the same subtests (p= 0.01 and 0.04, respectively).Conclusion:Language impairment resembling AD was found in the aforementioned language subtests of the ABCD in elderly depressed patients; the mental status and episodic memory subtests were useful to discriminate between AD and depression. The ABCD has proven to be a suitable tool for language evaluation in this population and should aid in the differentiation of AD and pseudodementia (as that of depression).
Conversion of linoleic acid and alpha‐linolenic acid to long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), with a focus on pregnancy, lactation and the first 2 years of life
Authors: Gibson Robert A. , Muhlhausler Bev , Makrides Maria 
Published: March 2011

AbstractOver the past two decades, there has been a marked shift in the fatty acid composition of the diets of industrialized nations towards increased intake of the n‐6 fatty acid linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n‐6), largely as a result of the replacement of saturated fats with plant‐based polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). While health agencies internationally continue to advocate for high n‐6 PUFA intake combined with increased intakes of preformed n‐3 long‐chain PUFAs (LCPUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are questions as to whether this is the best approach. LA competes with alpha‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3) for endogenous conversion to the LC derivatives EPA and DHA, and LA also inhibits incorporation of DHA and EPA into tissues. Thus, high‐LA levels in the diet generally result in low n‐3 LCPUFA status. Pregnancy and infancy are developmental periods during which the fatty acid supply is particularly critical. The importance of an adequate supply of n‐3 LCPUFA for ensuring optimal development of infant brain and visual systems is well established, and there is now evidence that the supply of n‐3 LCPUFA also influences a range of growth, metabolic and immune outcomes in childhood. This review will re‐evaluate the health benefits of modern Western diets and pose the question of whether the introduction of similar diets to nations with emerging economies is the most prudent public health strategy for improving health in these populations.
Genetic variation in polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism and its potential relevance for human development and health
Authors: Glaser Claudia , Lattka Eva , Rzehak Peter , Steer Colin , Koletzko Berthold 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBlood and tissue contents of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and long‐chain PUFA (LC‐PUFA) are related to numerous health outcomes including cardiovascular health, allergies, mental health and cognitive development. Evidence has accumulated to show that in addition to diet, common polymorphisms in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster have very marked effects on human PUFA and LC‐PUFA status. Recent results suggest that in addition to fatty acid desaturase 1 and fatty acid desaturase 2, the gene product of fatty acid desaturase 3 is associated with desaturating activity. New data have become available to show that FADS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) also modulate docosahexaenoic acid status in pregnancy as well as LC‐PUFA levels in children and in human milk. There are indications that FADS SNPs modulate the risk for allergic disorders and eczema, and the effect of breastfeeding on later cognitive development. Mechanisms by which FADS SNPs modulate PUFA levels in blood, breast milk and tissues should be explored further. More studies are required to explore the effects of FADS gene variants in populations with different ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles and dietary habits, and to investigate in greater depth the interaction of gene variants, diet and clinical end points, including immune response and developmental outcomes. Analyses of FADS gene variants should be included into all sizeable cohort and intervention studies addressing biological effects of PUFA and LC‐PUFA in order to consider these important confounders, and to enhance study sensitivity and precision.
Truth in Fiction
Authors: Woodward Richard 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWhen we engage with a work of fiction we gain knowledge about what is fictionally true in that work. Our grasp of what is true in a fiction is central to our engagement with representational works of art, and to our assessments of their merits. Of course, it is sometimes difficult to determine what is fictional – it is a good question whether the main character of American Psycho is genuinely psychotic or merely delusional, for instance. (And even in this case, our ignorance itself is crucial to how we engage with the story and assess its qualities.) But in the vast majority of cases, we have no difficulty distinguishing what is fictionally true from what is not. Every attentive reader of Bleak House knows that it is fictional that Esther is Lady Dedlock’s daughter, but not fictional that Ada is the daughter of John Jarndyce. Moreover, we do not think that our judgements about what is fictional are based on guesswork. We have a folk theory of fictional truth, in the sense that we have a relatively stable framework upon which we rely when we engage with fiction, and we face the challenge of characterizing that theory systematically.
Toriello Carey syndrome: genetic, clinical, and oral considerations: a case report
Authors: de Carvalho Maretti Márcia Bueno , Haddad Aida Sabbagh , Ferreira Maria Cristina Duarte , de Oliveira Guaré Renata , Alonso Luís Garcia 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTToriello Carey syndrome is a rare recessive autosomal disease whose clinical manifestations are more evident in males. Some authors report that the general characteristics of this disease are agenesis of the corpus callosum, mental disability, convulsions, atrial septal defect, pulmonary artery stenosis, pyloric stenosis, and hypospadias. Facial and cranial alterations may occur, including hypertelorism, telecanthus, divergent strabismus, malformed ears, anteverted nares, retrognathism, and cleft palate. This paper reports on a 13‐year‐old male with Toriello Carey syndrome and leucoderma, and describes his oral problems and his dental care.
Oral health and oral motor function in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: de Carvalho Reyjanne Barros , Mendes Regina F. , Prado Jr Raimundo R. , Neto José Machado Moita 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the type of cerebral palsy (CP) and oral motor function (OMF) on the oral health status of children and adolescents with CP in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. The sample consisted of 52 children with CP, aged 7 to 18 years. The data were statistically analyzed using chi‐square tests. In 73.1% of the sample, the subjects’ caregivers carried out the daily oral care. There was a significant association between the frequency of daily care and the subject's level of oral hygiene (p= .037). A diagnosis of Class II malocclusion was made for 55.8% of the sample, and defects of enamel formation were found in 38.5% of the subjects. There was no significant correlation between DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) and socioeconomic status of the subjects (r = .254, p= .069). A significant association was found between quadriplegia and OMF (χ2= 7.88, p= .019). The type of CP and OMF did not influence the levels of plaque and caries indices in the children with CP, but increased frequency of toothbrushing did result in an improved oral hygiene index.
Perceptions of dental esthetics among older African Americans
Authors: Saunders Ralph , Sithole Vivian , Koutrouli Eleni , Feng Changyong , Malmstrom Hans 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTOlder adults have greater potential for issues with the appearance of their teeth than other age groups. Conditions including missing teeth, fractured or missing restorations, and excessive tooth wear are common and may potentially affect individuals’ perceptions of their dental esthetics.These perceptions about dental conditions may be significant because previous research suggests that they may impact elders’ quality of life.The purpose of this study was to investigate the esthetic ranking of specific dental conditions by a population of African American elderly, utilizing methods similar to those of an earlier study of older Caucasians. These methods were designed to determine whether specific oral/facial and dental conditions were associated with similar perceptions of esthetics in a series of computer‐adjusted images regardless of gender or any other facial characteristics.Our results suggest that, among the conditions studied, perceptions of dental esthetics of elderly African Americans were similar to those of Caucasians.
Effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of paediatric bariatric surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Aikenhead A. , Knai C. , Lobstein T. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryStrong evidence for successful and cost‐effective obesity management strategies is still generally lacking, leading the medical profession to rely increasingly on surgical options to treat obesity in children and adolescents. We performed a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of surgical interventions to treat obese children and adolescents, and whether they are cost‐effective. We searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library to 6 September 2010, and hand‐searched bibliographies. We included articles with English abstracts if they examined subjects ≤19 years of age, reported at least one postoperative weight loss measure and at least 1 year of postoperative follow‐up. Thirty‐seven relevant papers on bariatric surgery effectiveness in 831 children or adolescents were included, spanning 36 years. Thirteen studies examined gastric banding, with mean body mass index (BMI) reductions ranging from 8.5 to 43 kg m−2. Weight gain was reported in one case study. Eight papers examined Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, with mean BMI reductions ranging from 9 to 25 kg m−2. Fourteen publications studied other forms of bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomies, vertical banded gastroplasty, biliopancreatic diversion or a combination of procedures. Mean BMI reductions ranged from 9 to 24 kg m−2. Three surgery‐related mortalities were reported, as was weight regain in several cases. The majority of studies reported resolution or improvement of comorbid conditions. A range of postoperative complications were identified across surgery types, including: ulcers, intestinal leakage, wound infection, anastomotic stricture, nutritional deficiencies, bowel obstruction, pulmonary embolism, disrupted staple lines, band slippage, psychological intolerance and repeated vomiting. Evidence on cost‐effectiveness was limited to one Australian modelling project, which deemed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding cost‐effective for adolescents. Existing evidence – although based generally on underpowered, retrospective studies – suggests that bariatric surgery in older children results in significant weight loss and improvements in comorbidities and quality of life. However, postoperative complications, compliance and follow‐up may be more problematic in adolescents than adults, and availability of long‐term data on safety, effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness remains largely unknown. Pending an improvement in the quality of available evidence, a cautious approach to child and adolescent bariatric surgery is warranted, and reversible techniques are advisable compared to approaches that permanently alter anatomy.
FORECASTING PERFORMANCE OF AN ESTIMATED DSGE MODEL FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY
Authors: Alpanda Sami , Kotzé Kevin , Woglom Geoffrey 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe construct a small open‐economy New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model for South Africa with nominal rigidities, incomplete international risk sharing and partial exchange rate pass‐through. The parameters of the model are estimated using Bayesian methods, and its out‐of‐sample forecasting performance is compared with Bayesian vector autoregression (VAR), classical VAR and random‐walk models. Our results indicate that the DSGE model generates forecasts that are competitive with those from other models, and it contributes statistically significant information to combined forecast measures.
MACROECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND CONDITIONAL STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA*
Authors: Chinzara Zivanemoyo 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis paper analyses how systematic risk emanating from the macroeconomy is transmitted into stock market volatility using augmented autoregressive Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (AR‐GARCH) and vector autoregression (VAR) models. Also examined is whether the relationship between the two is bidirectional. By imposing dummies for the 1997‐1998 Asian and the 2007‐2009 sub‐prime financial crises, the study further analyses whether financial crises affect the relationship between macroeconomic uncertainty and stock market volatility. The findings show that macroeconomic uncertainty significantly influences stock market volatility. Although volatilities in inflation, the gold price and the oil price seem to play a role, it is found that volatility in short‐term interest rates and exchange rates are the most important, suggesting that South African domestic financial markets are increasingly becoming interdependent. Finally, the results show that financial crises increase volatility in the stock market and in most macroeconomic variables, and, by so doing, strengthen the effects of changes in macroeconomic variables on the stock market.
IS THERE AN ASYMMETRIC BEHAVIOUR IN AFRICAN INFLATION? A NON‐LINEAR APPROACH
Authors: Mourelle Estefania , Cuestas Juan Carlos , Gil‐alana Luis Alberiko 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this paper we test the inflation persistence hypothesis as well as model the long‐run behaviour of inflation rates in a pool of African countries using a non‐linear framework. In order to do so, we rely on unit root tests applied to non‐linear models and fractional integration. The results show that the hypothesis of inflation persistence does not hold empirically for most of the countries. In addition, the estimated models (logistic smooth transition autoregressions) are stable in the sense that the variable tends to remain in the regime (low inflation or high inflation) once reached, and changes between regimes are only achieved after a shock. The results also indicate that the effects of the shocks on inflation tend to die out; exogenous factors,i.e.supply shocks and inertia may be causing this outcome, as they play a substantial role in the determination of the inflation rates for our selected African countries.