bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors of higher education quality service: the case of a Peruvian university
Authors: Arrieta María del Carmen , Avolio Beatrice 
Published: July 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that impact the quality of the education service in a Peruvian private university, based on the perception of students and graduates.

Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 29 students and 20 graduates from the Administration and Finance Program of a Peruvian private university. The data was collected through focus groups and in-depth interviews based on the students’ and graduates’ perspectives of their experiences. The collected data was subjected to content analysis.

Findings
The study identified ten factors or the underlying dimensions that drive the quality of the education service provided by a Peruvian private university. The factors are professors, lecturers, curriculum, extracurricular activities, position and recognition of the university, infrastructure, library, admission, adequate communication mechanisms with faculty and authorities and services. The main quality indicators of the education service were the professors and curriculum planning. As the students were using the education service, they were more focused on “how” they received the service, rather than “what” services they received, i.e. they evaluated the quality of the process. In contrast, graduates gave more importance to functional service quality. They evaluated the quality of “what they received,” i.e. the result.

Research limitations/implications
The study has several limitations. First, the qualitative approach does not allow generalizing data. The sample size was relatively small and only involved one Peruvian private university. The study was based on the respondent’s perceptions, which were considered accurate.

Practical implications
Based on the study findings, the authors made recommendations to meet the needs of the students and graduates. These findings can help universities to develop strategies that improve educational quality and to allocate resources more effectively. Further research could focus on factors that impact service quality in higher education at different stages of the student lifecycle, namely, applicants (service expectations), students (quality of the process) and graduates (results). The authors suggest validating these results quantitatively.

Originality/value
The study proposes a framework of the higher education service quality based on the experiences of students and graduates that can be used by higher education institutions to continue improving educational quality. The originality of the study lies in the perspective on service quality according to the experiences of students and graduates. Also, this study provides empirical evidence on service quality research in Latin American higher education institutions.
A DEMATEL-MABAC-based approach for grading and evaluation of jute fibers
Authors: Agarwal Subham , Chakraborty Santonab , Chakraborty Shankar 
Published: July 2020

Purpose
Due to several unique characteristics, such as high tensile strength, low extensibility, high frictional resistance, biodegradability, eco-friendliness and cheapness, Jute ranks second just after cotton with respect to its worldwide consumption and production. To overcome the difficulties of the existing Jute grading procedure, this paper aims to focus on the application of decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) methods for evaluation of 10 Tossa Jute fiber lots based on strength, defects, root content, color, fineness and bulk density properties.

Design/methodology/approach
The DEMATEL method divides all the six physical properties of Jute fiber into cause and effect groups. The most influencing property is also identified. On the other hand, the considered Jute fiber lots are ranked using MABAC method along with the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of each of them.

Findings
This combined approach would provide a more scientific and realistic way of Jute grading and evaluation based on various properties of the considered Jute fiber lots. The positions of the superior and the inferior Jute lots perfectly match with those as identified by the earlier researchers.

Originality/value
It is concluded that the adopted combined decision-making tool can be effectively applied for grading and evaluation of other natural fibers with diverse heterogeneous physical properties.
Collateral benefits of targeted supplementary feeding on demography and growth rate of a threatened population
Authors: Fenn Sarah R. , Bignal Eric M. , Trask Amanda E. , McCracken Davy I. , Monaghan Pat , Reid Jane M. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Effective evidence‐based conservation requires full quantification of the impacts of targeted management interventions on focal populations. Such impacts may extend beyond target individuals to also affect demographic rates of non‐target conspecifics (e.g. different age classes). However, such collateral (i.e. unplanned) impacts are rarely evaluated despite their potential to substantially alter conservation outcomes. Subsequent management decisions may then be poorly informed or erroneous.

We used 15 years of individual‐based demographic data in a ‘before‐after control‐impact’ (BACI) analysis to quantify collateral demographic impacts of a targeted multi‐year supplementary feeding programme designed to increase sub‐adult survival and hence viability of a small, threatened red‐billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax population. Specifically, we assessed whether the intervention also affected adult survival and reproductive success, and whether such collateral effects were themselves sufficient to stabilize population size and hence achieve short‐term conservation aims.

The probabilities of adult survival and successful reproduction increased substantially between the ‘before‐feeding’ and ‘during‐feeding’ periods in those choughs associated with supplementary feeding, but not otherwise. Overall breeding success (i.e. number of chicks fledged per occupied territory) also tended to increase, even though brood sizes did not increase. These relationships, which were detectible only through BACI analyses, suggest that supplementary feeding targeted at sub‐adults had unplanned positive impacts on adult demographic rates.

Deterministic matrix models designed to project population growth demonstrate that these estimated collateral effects were sufficient to make a substantial contribution to increasing population growth rate and achieving short‐term population stability.

Synthesis and applications. Our results indicate substantial positive collateral impacts of a targeted supplementary feeding intervention on population viability, despite no a priori expectation that the non‐target adults were food‐limited. This casestudy illustrates how thorough assessment of collateral impacts of targeted interventions can affect assessment of short‐term efficacy and reveal new opportunities for future interventions, thereby informing subsequent management decisions.
The influence of landscape composition and configuration on crop yield resilience
Authors: Redhead John W. , Oliver Tom H. , Woodcock Ben A. , Pywell Richard F. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture aims to produce sufficient food while minimizing environmental damage. To achieve this, we need to understand the role of agricultural landscapes in providing diverse ecosystem services and how these affect crop production and resilience, that is, maintaining yields despite environmental perturbation.

We used 10 years of English wheat yield data to derive three metrics of resilience (relative yield across the time series, yield stability around a moving average and resistance to an extreme weather event) at 10 km × 10 km resolution. We used remotely sensed maps to calculate measures of landscape structure, including composition (proportions of different land cover types) and configuration (metrics of connectivity and proximity), known to affect ecosystem service delivery (e.g. control of pests by beneficial invertebrates). We then used an information‐theoretic approach to identify the best‐fitting combination of landscape structure predictors for each resilience metric, using a potential yield model to account for the effects of climate and soils.

Relative yield showed a strongly positive relationship with the area of arable land. For yield stability, this relationship was evident but alongside other landscape structure variables in the best‐fitting model. No relationship with arable land was evident for resistance.

Yield stability showed a strongly positive effect of proximity to semi‐natural habitats. For resistance, the best‐fitting model included positive relationships with the cover of semi‐natural habitats and proximity to semi‐natural grasslands.

Synthesis and applications. Landscapes with the highest relative wheat yields did not show the highest yield stability or resistance to extreme events. As resilience metrics were derived from shorter portions of the time series, the importance of semi‐natural habitats compared to arable land increased. This is probably driven by the complex interplay between landscape structure, agricultural management and ecosystem services. These results demonstrate that measuring relative yield over time may be insufficient to capture the full effect that non‐arable components of the landscape, and the ecosystem services they deliver, have on other aspects of resilience, and that there are clear trade‐offs in managing agricultural landscapes to maximize different aspects of crop yield resilience.
Conclusion: Four Recommendations to Improve Digital Electoral Oversight in the UK
Authors: Margetts Helen , Dommett Katharine 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTo conclude this special section, this article looks at the possible avenues for regulatory reform in the field of digital campaigning. Diagnosing the need for a multi‐layered approach, we argue that action is needed from government, regulators, companies, and civil society. We take each actor in turn and consider the kind of change needed, the prospects for reform, and outline four recommendations for change.
Fresh‐cut potato quality and sensory: Effect of cultivar, age, processing, and cooking during storage
Authors: Dite Hunjek Draženka , Pranjić Tanja , Repajić Maja , Levaj Branka 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis work examined the influence of cultivar, tubers’ age, antibrowning agent, package atmosphere, and storage time on fresh‐cut potatoes’ (FCPs) physical, chemical, and sensory properties. Potato slices of cv. Birgit and Lady Claire tubers sampled during the first, fifth, and ninth months of storage were dipped in solutions of (1) sodium chloride (1%) and (2) sodium ascorbate (2%), and stored for 8 days in (1) vacuum and (2) active modified atmosphere (MAP) (10.0% CO2, 3.0% O2, and 87.0% N2) at 10 °C. During storage, O2 and CO2 content (%) within packages was measured and samples were analyzed for weight loss, total solids (TS) and soluble solids (SS), pH, color, texture, and sensory properties of raw, boiled, fried, and baked FCP. Results showed that 9 months' aging had a significant impact on almost all investigated FCP properties, but differences among first, fifth, and ninth months were numerically feeble for some parameters in raw samples: TS changed from 22.14% to 20.98%, SS 5.53% to 6.93%, pH 6.02 to 5.98, L* 70.10 to 68.87, C* 35.75 to 36.70, H° 89.29 to 88.15, and firmness 7.25 to 8.13N. Furthermore, 9 months of aging had no significant influence on the characteristic odor of raw, boiled, fried, and baked FCP and characteristic taste of fried and baked FCP, whereas boiled FCP characteristic taste remained unchanged for 5 months of aging. Fried FCP was better sensory evaluated than baked ones, cv. Birgit was more suitable for the FCP production compared to cv. Lady Claire as well as vacuum packaging and sodium ascorbate better preserved samples quality and sensory than sodium chloride and MAP.Practical ApplicationThis study could be helpful to fresh‐cut potato (FCP) producers because results indicate that for FCP processing, along with the selection of cultivar, antibrowning agent, and packaging type, tubers’ age also requires attention. A further contribution of this research is related to the adequate way of FCP cooking, where frying shows the best results according to the quality and sensory assessment.
Vector transmission of konjac mosaic virus to calla lily (Zantedeschia spp.) by aphids
Authors: Liao Min‐Ting , Mou De‐Fen , Chang Ya‐Chun , Tsai Chi‐Wei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractVarious viral diseases and bacterial soft rot are the major limiting factors for the cultivation of calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.). Konjac mosaic virus (KoMV) is one of the major causal agents of viral diseases in calla lily fields in Taiwan. The objectives of this study are to identify potential insect vectors of KoMV and to assess the biotic and abiotic factors affecting aphid transmission of KoMV to calla lily. In this study, we identified Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii as potential vectors of KoMV. Early‐instar nymphs, late‐instar nymphs, apterous adults and alate adults of both aphid species were able to transmit KoMV, and no significant differences in the transmission rates were detected. The difference in KoMV transmission rates was not detected when the transmission assays were performed at 18, 23 and 28°C. Transmission biology is a crucial component of plant disease epidemiology caused by viruses. Vector propensity and vector activity need to be further investigated in the field. The knowledge will be valuable for developing disease control strategies for KoMV in calla lily fields.
Targeting RAS‐converting enzyme 1 overcomes senescence and improves progeria‐like phenotypes of ZMPSTE24 deficiency
Authors: Yao Haidong , Chen Xue , Kashif Muhammad , Wang Ting , Ibrahim Mohamed X. , Tüksammel Elin , Revêchon Gwladys , Eriksson Maria , Wiel Clotilde , Bergo Martin O. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSeveral progeroid disorders are caused by deficiency in the endoprotease ZMPSTE24 which leads to accumulation of prelamin A at the nuclear envelope. ZMPSTE24 cleaves prelamin A twice: at the third carboxyl‐terminal amino acid following farnesylation of a –CSIM motif; and 15 residues upstream to produce mature lamin A. The carboxyl‐terminal cleavage can also be performed by RAS‐converting enzyme 1 (RCE1) but little is known about the importance of this cleavage for the ability of prelamin A to cause disease. Here, we found that knockout of RCE1 delayed senescence and increased proliferation of ZMPSTE24‐deficient fibroblasts from a patient with non‐classical Hutchinson‐Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), but did not influence proliferation of classical LMNA‐mutant HGPS cells. Knockout of Rce1 in Zmpste24‐deficient mice at postnatal week 4–5 increased body weight and doubled the median survival time. The absence of Rce1 in Zmpste24‐deficient fibroblasts did not influence nuclear shape but reduced an interaction between prelamin A and AKT which activated AKT‐mTOR signaling and was required for the increased proliferation. Prelamin A levels increased in Rce1‐deficient cells due to a slower turnover rate but its localization at the nuclear rim was unaffected. These results strengthen the idea that the presence of misshapen nuclei does not prevent phenotype improvement and suggest that targeting RCE1 might be useful for treating the rare progeroid disorders associated with ZMPSTE24 deficiency.
Socio‐demographic differences in alcohol‐related work impairment
Authors: Moan Inger Synnøve , Halkjelsvik Torleif 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsThe costs of alcohol‐related presenteeism (being at work in an impaired state due to alcohol use) have been estimated as substantially larger than the costs of alcohol‐related absenteeism. Past studies indicate that employees with lower socio‐economic status experience more alcohol‐attributable problems than employees in higher socio‐economic strata. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol‐related presenteeism among Norwegian adults and its association with sex, age, income and education.Design and SettingAnnual national cross‐sectional telephone surveys on alcohol, tobacco and drug use (2016–19) among Norwegian adults.ParticipantsA total of 5430 full‐ and part‐time employees aged 16–79 years; 53% were men.MeasurementsThe main outcome was self‐reported 12‐month occurrence of work impairment due to alcohol use the previous day. Main predictors were income and education obtained from national registries, age and gender. A secondary outcome variable was self‐reported alcohol‐related absenteeism.FindingsThe 12‐month prevalence of alcohol‐related work impairment was 8.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.9, 9.4. Adjusted risk ratios (RR) indicated a higher risk for men compared with women (RR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.50) and higher risk for young employees (e.g. less than 26 years compared with 55+, RR = 7.64, 95% CI = 4.88, 11.95). The risk increased as a function of higher education (in order of increasing education, RR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.87, 1.45; RR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.26, 2.12; RR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.63, 2.95). The risk was estimated as lower in the middle‐income categories compared with the lowest (RR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.58, 1.00, RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.66, 1.20, RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.68, 1.29) and higher for employees with the highest income (RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.73, 1.48; RR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.00).ConclusionsIn Norway, the risk of alcohol‐related work impairment for employees in the highest education category is approximately twice that of employees with secondary education or less. Except for employees in the lowest income category, who had a higher risk than those in the middle‐income categories, higher income is associated with increased risk of work impairment. Being younger and male are also associated with increased risk of alcohol‐related work impairment.
Novel use of cangrelor in pediatrics: A pilot cohort study demonstrating use in ventricular assist devices
Authors: Fahnhorst Sarah E. , Beasley Gary , Goldberg Jason F. , Martinez Hugo R. , Ryan Kaitlin A. , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Boston Umar , Absi Mohammed 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThromboembolic events and bleeding are major sources of morbidity among pediatric patients supported on a ventricular assist device (VAD). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of enteral antiplatelet agents are affected and variable due to erratic enteral absorption in end‐stage heart failure and VAD circulation. Additionally, 20%‐40% of the population are poor metabolizers of clopidogrel, a prodrug, making cangrelor an alternative when antiplatelet therapy is crucial. Cangrelor has been used effectively and safely for short durations in adults during percutaneous coronary interventions, but the use of cangrelor is still under investigation in pediatrics. This case series utilized cangrelor, a novel short‐acting, reversible, intravenous P2Y12 platelet inhibitor in managing pediatric patients supported with a VAD. We performed a retrospective, single‐center review of patients admitted to a tertiary medical center with end‐stage heart failure requiring mechanical circulatory support and concomitant cangrelor administration between January 2019 and March 2020. Platelet function testing, cangrelor dose, bleeding complications, thromboembolic events, and frequency of circuit interventions during the use of cangrelor were recorded. Optimal platelet reactivity, defined as P2Y12 < 180 platelet reaction units (PRU), was measured with serial point‐of‐care testing (VerifyNow). Seven patients, median age of 4.9 years, met the above criteria. Three patients had a diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease. Four patients had dilated or restrictive cardiomyopathy. All patients were on continuous flow VADs. The median VAD duration was 84.5 days (IQR 61.5‐103). The median duration on cangrelor was 43 days (IQR 8‐70). The median cangrelor dose to reach the therapeutic threshold was 0.75 μg/kg/min with the mean P2Y12, while on cangrelor of 164.75 PRU. Bleeding complications included mild gastrointestinal bleeding and hematuria. There was one patient with pump thrombosis requiring intervention. There were no cerebrovascular events while on cangrelor. We report the first successful long‐term use of cangrelor in pediatric patients. The reversibility and short half‐life of cangrelor make it a feasible antiplatelet agent in selected patients. This data supports the use of cangrelor in children as a viable antiplatelet option; with minimal bleeding complications and no cerebrovascular events demonstrated in this cohort.
Comparison of myopic progression in Finnish and Singaporean children
Authors: Pärssinen Olavi , Soh Zhi Da , Tan Chuen‐Seng , Lanca Carla , Kauppinen Markku , Saw Seang‐Mei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPurposeTo compare 3‐year myopic progression between Finnish and Singaporean children.MethodsMyopic progression was compared between 9‐year‐old (mean age 9.7 ± 0.4 years, n = 92) and 11‐year‐old (mean age 11.7 ± 0.4 years, n = 144) Finnish (Finnish RCT) children and Singaporean children matched by age and refraction (SCORMMatched, n = 403) and 7‐ to 8‐year‐old Singaporean children matched only by refraction (SCORM Young, n = 186). Spherical equivalent (SE) was between −0.50 and −3.00 D. Refraction with cycloplegia was controlled annually for 3 years. Information on parental myopia, mother’s education, time spent on near‐work and outdoor time was gathered by parental questionnaire.ResultsThree‐year myopic progression was −2.08 ± 0.96 D and −1.30 ± 0.69 D in the Finnish RCT and Singaporean SCORMMatched 9‐year‐olds, respectively, and −1.34 ± 0.78 D, and −0.52 ± 0.44 D in the 11‐year‐olds, respectively (p < 0.001 between all groups). Myopic progression was fastest (−2.69 ± 0.89 D) in the SCORM 7‐year‐olds and similar between the SCORM Matched 9‐year‐olds and Finnish RCT 11‐year‐olds (p = 0.55). The Finnish RCT and SCORM Matched children showed significant differences in both daily near‐work time (1.8 ± 1.0 versus 3.4 ± 1.9 hours per day, p < 0.001) and outdoor time (2.6 ± 0.9 versus 0.5 ± 0.4 hours per day, p < 0.001). These differences did not, however, explain the differences in myopic progression between the groups. More time spent outdoors was associated with less myopic progression in the Finnish RCT (r = 0.17, p = 0.009) group only. In the whole materials, greater myopic progression was associated with younger age at baseline (p < 0.001), younger age was associated with mother’s higher education (p < 0.001), and mothers higher education was associated with myopia in both parents (p < 0.001).ConclusionAge at baseline was the most significant factor associated with myopic progression. However, at the same age and with the same initial refraction, the Finnish and Singaporean children showed different myopic progression. This result remains unexplained. Thus, age of myopia onset should be considered when comparing myopic progression between different samples and conducting treatment trials. Parental myopia may be a weak indicator of heredity of myopia.