bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self-reported income data: are people telling the truth?
Authors: González Fernando Antonio Ignacio 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to detect anomalous data in income reports of Argentina, including personal income – from a sample of households – and statements of public officials.

Design/methodology/approach
A widely known technique in forensic accounting – such as Benford’s Law – is used. The Chi-square test and the absolute mean deviation are used for verification. The databases consulted include the income declared by households in the Permanent Household Survey – for the 2003-2017 period – and the capital declarations of high-ranking public officials – for the period 1999-2017.

Findings
The results suggest that income reported in the Encuesta Permanente de Hogares do not follow a Benford´s distribution, and the degree of conformity with this decreases significantly between 2007 and 2015 – coincident with the intervention period of the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos. Patrimonial statements of public officials present an acceptable level of compliance with Benford’s law, especially among those of the legislative branch (in more than 90% of cases) although to a lesser extent among officials of the executive branch.

Practical implications
The results suggest that income reports from the Permanent Household Survey, for the period 2007-2015, should be used with reservations because of their possible manipulation.

Originality/value
During the intervention of the official statistics institute in Argentina (2007-2015), the idea of lack of credibility of its reports has been disseminated. To date, however, there is no empirical evidence to support it related to income.
Assessment on health care service quality and patients’ satisfaction in Ghana
Authors: Ampaw Enock Mintah , Chai Junwu , Liang Biru , Tsai Sang-Bing , Frempong Joseph 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
With the exigencies of health-care service quality to actualize sustainable socio-economic and developmental aspirations, in both peripheral and core countries, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence on health-care service quality and its precursor – patients’ satisfaction, and continuous service utilization.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 398 screened questionnaires were analyzed from selected hospitals of the Koforidua, Ghana. Findings from the structural equation modeling showed a significant association among perceived quality, patients’ satisfaction and tangibility. Contrary to the expectations, the results did not show a significant association among the constructs – perceived quality, safety and empathy. Again, the model fit indices collaboratively showed that the hypothesized model overwhelmingly “fit” the sample data, and further proved the predictive robustness of the model.

Findings
The results of the analysis demonstrate that patients were discontent with empathy and safety measures at the hospitals. However, tangible and perceived quality were identified as significant predictors of patients’ satisfaction.

Originality/value
There is a dearth of empirical investigations on the assessment of health-care service quality and patients’ satisfaction in developing economies such as Ghana. Therefore, the implication of the study will equip the top hierarchy of the Health System of Ghana in achieving their mission, and objectives in line with quality service delivery. In particular, MoH and GHS can embark on a routine exercise to audit the hospitals for re-accreditation, and provide CCT cameras to improve safety and security conditions at the hospitals, while enforcing the culture of receptive hospital environment to improve empathy.
Synaptic plasticity of TiO2nanowire transistor
Authors: Qi Hongxia , Wu Ying 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe emulation of synapses is essential to neuromorphic computing systems. Despite remarkable progress has been made in the two-terminal device (memristor), three-terminal transistors evoke greater attention because of the controlled conductance between the source and drain. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the synaptic plasticity of the TiO2nanowire transistor.Design/methodology/approachTiO2nanowire transistor was assembled by dielectrophoresis, and the synaptic plasticity such as paired-pulse facilitation, learning behaviors and high-pass filter were studied.FindingsFacilitation index decreases with the increasing pulse interval. A bigger response current is obtained at the pulses with higher amplitude and smaller intervals, which is similar to the consolidated memory at the deeply and frequently learning. The increased current at the higher stimulus frequency demonstrates a promising application in the high-pass filter.Originality/valueTiO2nanowire transistors possess broad application prospects in the future neural network.
Academic logics in changing performance measurement systems
Authors: Guarini Enrico , Magli Francesca , Francesconi Andrea 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyse how academic staff cope with the new culture of performance measurement and assessment in universities. In particular, the study aims to shed light on how external pressures related to measurement of research performance are translated into organisational and individual academic responses within the university and the extent to which these responses are related specifically to the operational features of performance measurement systems (PMS).Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a case study conducted in an Italian public university and based on interviews with a cross-disciplinary sample of faculty members.FindingsThe study provides insights into how linking financial incentives and career progression to research performance metrics at the system and organisational levels may have important reorientation effects on individual behaviours and epistemic consequences for the academic work.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on interviews, so one limitation is related to the risk of researcher and interviewee personal bias. Moreover, this study is focused on one single case of a specific university setting, which cannot be fully representative of the experiences of others.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature on management accounting by exploring the factors that might explain why the unintended effects of PMS on academics’ behaviour reported by several studies might occur. From a practitioner’s point of view, it shows features of PMS that may produce unintended effects on academic activities. It also highlights the need to rethink PMS for the evaluation of university performance through the involvement of different stakeholders.
3D printing of composites: design parameters and flexural performance
Authors: Korkees Feras , Allenby James , Dorrington Peter 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
3D printing of composites has a high degree of design freedom, which allows for the manufacture of complex shapes that cannot be achieved with conventional manufacturing processes. This paper aims to assess the design variables that might affect the mechanical properties of 3D-printed fibre-reinforced composites.

Design/methodology/approach
Markforged Mark-Two printers were used to manufacture samples using nylon 6 and carbon fibres. The effect of fibre volume fraction, fibre layer location and fibre orientation has been studied using three-point flexural testing.

Findings
The flexural strength and stiffness of the 3D-printed composites increased with increasing the fibre volume fraction. The flexural properties were altered by the position of the fibre layers. The highest strength and stiffness were observed with the reinforcement evenly distributed about the neutral axis of the sample. Moreover, unidirectional fibres provided the best flexural performance compared to the other orientations. 3D printed composites also showed various failure modes under bending loads.

Originality/value
Despite multiple studies available on 3D-printed composites, there does not seem to be a clear understanding and consensus on how the location of the fibre layers can affect the mechanical properties and printing versatility. Therefore, this study covered this design parameter and evaluated different locations in terms of mechanical properties and printing characteristics. This is to draw final conclusions on how 3D printing may be used to manufacture cost-effective, high-quality parts with excellent mechanical performance.
Comparing mechanical properties of impact modified polypropylene-copolymer (IMPP) from injection molding (IM) and fused layer modeling (FLM) processes
Authors: Sanders J. Elliott , Wang Lu , Gardner Douglas J. 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to produce dimensionally accurate and reliable fused layer modeling (FLM) feedstock composed of an impact modified polypropylene matrix, compounded with a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforcement and coupled by a maleic anhydride coupling agent to produce comparable mechanical properties in comparison to the industry-standard method of injection molding (IM).

Design/methodology/approach
A spray dried CNF (SDCNF) was compounded with the polymer matrix using a masterbatch method. The composite was diluted with neat polymer and extruded into a filament and then printed into standardized mechanical testing samples. For comparison, the filament was chopped and standardized samples were produced with IM.

Findings
A loss in mechanical properties of up to 30% was observed in FLM samples. If normalized to reflect improved density from a part consolidation method, losses are reduced to 15% or show improvements in the neat polymer matrix.

Originality/value
Limited research has been done on producing FLM feedstock, reporting mechanical property results based on standardized testing and comparing the same material with IM.
The road to develop prisoners’ skills and attitudes: an analytical study of contemporary prison-based rehabilitation programme in Sri Lanka
Authors: Sachitra Vilani , Wijewardhana Neranji 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
The place of rehabilitation programmes in the reformation and transformation of prison inmates has continued to be on the front burner of professionals such as educators, counsellors, social workers, psychologists and medical doctors. Analysis has taken something of a top-down approach, and consideration has been placed on how the organizational context of individual prisoners interact with those rehabilitation programmes has been neglected. Drawing on interview data, this study aims to add to our understanding how rehabilitation programme affects inmates’ skills and attitudes in Sri Lankan prisons.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used an inductive qualitative case study approach as it requires a deep understanding of the effect of rehabilitation programme on inmates’ skills and attitudes and how inmates view rehabilitation programmes.

Findings
The study identified seven views of inmates regarding rehabilitation programmes conducted and understood that rehabilitation programme facilitates inmates to acquire strong self-assurance of future career options and deal with potentially destructive feeling such as anger, frustration and loneliness. However, inmates who showed a strong propensity to suffer injustice and internalized blame have found no substantial impact on their skills and attitude through the programme.

Practical implications
It is arguable that operation of meaningful prison-based rehabilitation programme is influenced by comprehensive picture of the profile of the prison population, shortages in resources, the attitudes of prison staffs, inability to meet real world settings and network building with a wide range of private, public or voluntary providers.

Originality/value
This study represents the first prison-based study to understand the inmates view on the rehabilitation programmes in Sri Lanka.
Production of rebaudioside D from stevioside using a UGTSL2 Asn358Phe mutant in a multi‐enzyme system
Authors: Chen Liangliang , Cai Ruxin , Weng Jingyuan , Li Yan , Jia Honghua , Chen Kequan , Yan Ming , Ouyang Pingkai 
Published: February 2020

SummaryRebaudioside D is a sweetener from Stevia rebaudiana with superior sweetness and organoleptic properties, but its production is limited by its minute abundance in S. rebaudiana leaves. In this study, we established a multi‐enzyme reaction system with S. rebaudiana UDP‐glycosyltransferases UGT76G1, Solanum lycopersicum UGTSL2 and Solanum tuberosum sucrose synthase StSUS1, achieving a two‐step glycosylation of stevioside to produce rebaudioside D. However, an increase in the accumulation of rebaudioside D required the optimization of UGTSL2 catalytic activity towards glucosylation of rebaudioside A and reducing the formation of the side‐product rebaudioside M2. On the basis of homology modelling and structural analysis, Asn358 in UGTSL2 was subjected to saturating mutagenesis, and the Asn358Phe mutant was used instead of wild‐type UGTSL2 for bioconversion. The established multi‐enzyme reaction system employing the Asn358Phe mutant produced 14.4 g l−1 (1.6 times of wild‐type UGTSL2) rebaudioside D from 20 g l−1 stevioside after reaction for 24 h. This system is useful for large‐scale rebaudioside D production and expands our understanding of the pathways involved in its synthesis.
Mobilization‐based transplantation of young‐donor hematopoietic stem cells extends lifespan in mice
Authors: Guderyon Michael J. , Chen Cang , Bhattacharjee Anindita , Ge Guo , Fernandez Roman A. , Gelfond Jonathan A. L. , Gorena Karla M. , Cheng Catherine J. , Li Yang , Nelson James F. , Strong Randy J. , Hornsby Peter J. , Clark Robert A. , Li Senlin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMammalian aging is associated with reduced tissue regeneration and loss of physiological integrity. With age, stem cells diminish in their ability to regenerate adult tissues, likely contributing to age‐related morbidity. Thus, we replaced aged hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with young‐donor HSCs using a novel mobilization‐enabled hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) technology as an alternative to the highly toxic conditioning regimens used in conventional HSCT. Using this approach, we are the first to report an increase in median lifespan (12%) and a decrease in overall mortality hazard (HR: 0.42, CI: 0.273–0.638) in aged mice following transplantation of young‐donor HSCs. The increase in longevity was accompanied by reductions of frailty measures and increases in food intake and body weight of aged recipients. Young‐donor HSCs not only preserved youthful function within the aged bone marrow stroma, but also at least partially ameliorated dysfunctional hematopoietic phenotypes of aged recipients. This compelling evidence that mammalian health and lifespan can be extended through stem cell therapy adds a new category to the very limited list of successful anti‐aging/life‐extending interventions. Our findings have implications for further development of stem cell therapies for increasing health and lifespan.
Confidence at 100%: Characteristics of Likelihood Ratio Confidence Intervals in the Emergency Medicine Diagnostics Literature
Authors: Friedman Ari B. , Berning Aric W. , Marill Keith A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveWe hypothesized that “perfect” 100% sample sensitivity or specificity (PSSS) is common in the emergency medicine (EM) literature. When results yield PSSS, calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) 95% confidence interval (CI) has been challenging. Consequently, we also hypothesized that studies with PSSS would be less likely to report the LR and associated CI, and those that did would use imperfect methods.MethodsWe searched PubMed or Scopus for all articles reporting diagnostic test results in the 20 top EM journals from 2011 to 2016 and randomly sampled 124 articles. Trained researchers coded the articles as having PSSS or not (“controls”). We separately sampled 100 articles with PSSS and compared them to 100 controls in terms of their reporting of diagnostic tests and associated CIs.ResultsOf the 124 articles, 19.4% (95% CI = 13% to 27.6%) feature a diagnostic test with PSSS. The LR is reported significantly less often in PSSS studies versus control studies: 18 of 100 articles (18% [95% CI = 11.3% to 27.2%]) versus 34 of 100 articles (34% [95% CI = 25% to 44.2%]), with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.43 (95% CI = 0.21 to 0.86). The LR 95% CI is also reported less often in PSSS versus control studies: five of 100 articles (5% [95% CI = 1.9% to 11.8%]) versus 27 of 100 articles (27% [95% CI = 18.8% to 37%]), with an OR of 0.11 (95% CI = 0.02 to 0.44). Five articles with perfect sample sensitivity reported their negative LR CI. The bootstrap method resulted in CIs that were 42.7% smaller on average (range = 16.6% to 63.6%).ConclusionThis analysis provides systematic evidence of diagnostic test reporting in the EM literature. Sample sensitivity or specificity of 100% is common. LRs and their associated 95% CIs are infrequently reported, particularly for PSSS samples. When the LR CI is reported in this scenario, it is overly wide. Improved reporting and methods can enhance the utility and confidence in diagnostic tests in EM.
The Political Consequences of External Economic Shocks: Evidence from Poland
Authors: Ahlquist John , Copelovitch Mark , Walter Stefanie 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHow do external economic shocks influence domestic politics? We argue that those materially exposed to the shock will display systematic differences in policy preferences and voting behavior compared to the unexposed, and political parties can exploit these circumstances. Empirically, we take advantage of the 2015 surprise revaluation of the Swiss franc to identify the Polish citizens with direct economic exposure to this exogenous event. Using an original survey fielded prior to the 2015 elections and an embedded survey experiment, we show that exposed individuals were more likely to demand government support and more likely to desert the government and vote for the largest opposition party, which was able to use the shock to expand its electoral coalition without alienating its core voters. Our article clarifies the connection between international shocks, voters’ policy preferences, partisan policy responses, and, ultimately, voting decisions.
Partial least squares for functional joint models with applications to the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative study
Authors: Wang Yue , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Zhu Hongtu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMany biomedical studies have identified important imaging biomarkers that are associated with both repeated clinical measures and a survival outcome. The functional joint model (FJM) framework, proposed by Li and Luo in 2017, investigates the association between repeated clinical measures and survival data, while adjusting for both high‐dimensional images and low‐dimensional covariates based on the functional principal component analysis (FPCA). In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for the estimation of FJM based on the functional partial least squares (FPLS). Our numerical studies demonstrate that, compared to FPCA, the proposed FPLS algorithm can yield more accurate and robust estimation and prediction performance in many important scenarios. We apply the proposed FPLS algorithm to a neuroimaging study. Data used in preparation of this article were obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.
Positive surgical margin during radical prostatectomy: overview of sampling methods for frozen sections and techniques for the secondary resection of the neurovascular bundles
Authors: Sighinolfi Maria Chiara , Eissa Ahmed , Spandri Valentina , Puliatti Stefano , Micali Salvatore , Reggiani Bonetti Luca , Bertoni Laura , Bianchi Giampaolo , Rocco Bernardo 
Published: February 2020

ObjectiveThe aim of the paper is to provide an overview of intraoperative sampling methods for frozen section (FS) analysis and of surgical techniques for a secondary neurovascular bundle (NVB) resection, as the method of surgical margin (SM) sampling and the management of a positive SM (PSM) at the nerve‐sparing (NS) area are under evaluated issues. FS analysis during radical prostatectomy (RP) can help to tailor the plane of dissection based on cancer extension and thus extend the indications for NS surgery. Evidence AcquisitionWe performed a PubMed/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Elton B. Stephens Co. (EBSCO)host search to include articles published in the last decade, evaluating FS analysis in the NS area and surgical attempts to convert a PSM to a negative status.Evidence SynthesisOverall, 19 papers met our inclusion criteria. The ways to collect samples for FS analysis included: systematic (analysing the whole posterolateral aspect of the prostate specimen, i.e., neurovascular structure‐adjacent frozen‐section examination [NeuroSAFE]); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided (biopsies from MRI‐suspicious areas, retrieved by the surgeon in a cognitive way); and random biopsies from the soft periprostatic tissues.Techniques to address a PSM in the NS area included: full resection of the spared NVB, from its caudal to cranial aspect, often including the rectolateral part of the Denonvilliers’ fascia; partial resection of the NVB, in cases where sampling attempts to localise a PSM; incremental approach, meaning a partial or full resection that extends until no prostate tissue is found in the soft periprostatic environment.ConclusionsThere is no homogeneity in prostate sampling for FS analysis, although most recent evidence is moving toward a systematic sampling of the entire NS area. The management of a PSM is variable and can be affected by the sampling strategy (difficult localisation of the persisting tumour at the NVB). The difficult identification of the exact soft tissue location contiguous to a PSM could be considered as the critical point of FS analysis and of spared‐NVB management.
Suppression of KIF3A inhibits triple negative breast cancer growth and metastasis by repressing Rb‐E2F signaling and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Wang Weilin , Zhang Runze , Wang Xiao , Wang Ning , Zhao Jing , Wei Zhimin , Xiang Fenggang , Wang Chengqin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTriple negative breast cancer (TNBC) displays higher heterogeneity, stronger invasiveness, higher risk of metastasis and poorer prognosis compared with major breast cancer subtypes. KIF3A, a member of the kinesin family of motor proteins, serves as a microtubule‐directed motor subunit and has been found to regulate early development, ciliogenesis and tumorigenesis. To explore the expression, regulation and mechanism of KIF3A in TNBC, 3 TNBC cell lines, 98 cases of primary TNBC and paired adjacent tissues were examined. Immunohistochemistry, real‐time PCR, western blot, flow cytometry, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference, 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation techniques, transwell assays, scratch tests, and xenograft mice models were used. We found that KIF3A was overexpressed in TNBC and such high KIF3A expression was also associated with tumor recurrence and lymph node metastasis. Silencing of KIF3A suppressed TNBC cell proliferation by repressing the Rb‐E2F signaling pathway and inhibited migration and invasion by repressing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. The tumor size was smaller and the number of lung metastatic nodules was lower in KIF3A depletion MDA‐MB‐231 cell xenograft mice than in the negative control group. In addition, KIF3A overexpression correlated with chemoresistance. These results suggested that high expression of KIF3A in TNBC was associated with the tumor progression and metastasis.