bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing quality of academic programmes: comparing different sets of standards
Authors: Ali Sedig Ahmed Babikir , Ahmad Mohammad Nazir , Zakaria Nor Hidayati , Arbab Ahmed Mohammed , Badr Kamal Badr Abdalla 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
Standards should provide a means for transparently comparing academic programmes delivered by higher education providers and the research activities they carry out. The purpose of this study is to investigate the different sets of standards related to the quality assurance of academic programmes in four countries with regard to the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG), developed by the European Association for Quality Assurance, for internal quality assurance within higher education institutions. The main aim is to find the convergence and divergence points and to test the consistency of terminologies in use which may impede international collaboration to develop one comprehensive international quality assurance system.

Design/methodology/approach
The study relied solely on desk-based research and no fieldwork or interviews were conducted for data collection; a point-by-point comparative approach has been applied to explore the standards related to quality assurance of academic programmes.

Findings
Although there is a great deal of convergence between the different sets of standards compared in this study, fundamental differences still exist.

Research limitations/implications
This study compared the standards of academic programmes in four countries with the ESG. To generalise the findings of this study, future research may include other standards for comparison.

Originality/value
This study engages in the debate of how quality of higher education will remain maintained, in times, when higher education is facing challenges such as internationalisation, which requires new initiatives and integrated mechanisms to facilitate mutual recognition of qualifications of students and staff moving across borders.
Industry-based equity premium forecasts
Authors: Silva Nuno 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to study whether the industry indexes predict the evolution of the broad stock market in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses industry indexes to predict the equity premium in the USA. It considers several types of predictive models: constant coefficients and constant volatility, drifting coefficients and constant volatility, constant coefficients and stochastic volatility and drifting coefficients and stochastic volatility. The models are estimated through the particle learning algorithm, which is suitable for dealing with the problem that an investor faces in practice, given that it allows the investor to revise the parameters as new information arrives. The individual forecasts are combined based on their past performance.

Findings
The results reveal that models exhibit significant predictive ability. The models with constant volatility exhibit better performance, at the statistical level, but the models with stochastic volatility generate higher gains for a mean–variance investor.

Practical implications
This study’s findings are valuable not only for finance researchers but also for private investors and mutual fund managers, who can use these forecasts to improve the performance of their portfolios.

Originality/value
To the best of the knowledge of the author, this is the first paper that uses particle learning and combination of forecasts to predict the equity premium in the USA based on industry indexes. The study shows that the models generate valuable forecasts over the long time span that is considered.
Infrastructure quality and firm productivity in Africa
Authors: Bbaale Edward 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The World Bank (2017) ranks poor infrastructure, particularly electricity, as the second topmost obstacle (after access to finance) affecting enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of infrastructure quality on firm productivity in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach
The author used the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) for 26 African countries and employed both descriptive and ordinary least squares techniques during the analysis. The author circumvents the endogeneity of infrastructure in the productivity model by using firm-level measures of infrastructure quality rather than the stock of infrastructural capital.

Findings
On an average, 80 percent of manufacturing firms in Africa reported having experienced electricity outages in the financial year preceding the survey. Power outages are negatively associated with the productivity of small, medium, young, domestically owned firms and non-exporters. On the other hand, the author observes a substitution effect of generators for the unreliable power from the public grid and this effect positively influences the productivity of large, old, foreign-owned and exporting firms.

Practical implications
The author argues that in addition to infrastructure capital at an aggregate level, dealing with quality issues at firm level is required to enhance productivity. More attention needs to be put to the elimination of power outages so as to improve the productivity of all firms particularly those that cannot afford to use generators in the place of electricity from the public grid.

Originality/value
The author notes that there exists scanty empirical literature on the effect of infrastructure quality on productivity for the case of Africa despite the existence of WBES for at least two waves for both developed and developing countries. The uniqueness of this paper in comparison to the previous literature is that the author undertakes the analysis according to some important firm categories: size, age, ownership and export status. Additionally, the author uses the infrastructure quality to understand its effect on firm-level efficiency levels rather than the stock of infrastructural capital. The use of aggregate indicators of infrastructure introduces an endogeneity problem which the author circumvents in this study.
Procalcitonin as a diagnostic indicator for systemic bacterial infections in patients with Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Wang Qian , Tian Xiao‐Bing , Liu Wei , Zhang Li‐Xia 
Published: June 2018

AbstractElevated serum procalcitonin (PCT) level has been reported to be a diagnostic index in systemic bacterial infections, but it can also increase in some non‐infectious inflammatory diseases. Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare immune‐mediated cutaneous mucosal reaction which is susceptible to bacterial infections and may have elevated PCT levels. The value of serum PCT has not been assessed in series of SJS/TEN patients. We aimed to investigate the PCT levels in SJS/TEN patients with systemic bacterial infections (systemic infected group), with skin surface bacterial infections (skin surface infected group) and without infections (non‐infected group), to assess whether PCT was a valuable indicator for systemic bacterial infections in SJS/TEN patients. The PCT and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels of 42 inpatients with SJS/TEN were retrospectively analysis. The receiver–operator curve (ROC) was used to determine the diagnostic efficacy of PCT for systemic bacterial infections in SJS/TEN patients. The results demonstrated that PCT levels in the systemic infected group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CRP between the three groups. The cut‐off PCT level of 0.65 ng/mL calculated by ROC had optimal diagnostic efficacy, with sensitivity and specificity of 84.6% and 89.7%, respectively. PCT and severity‐of‐illness score for toxic epidermal necrolysis were positively correlated (P < 0.05). In conclusion, PCT is a valuable index and superior to CRP in detecting systemic bacterial infections in SJS/TEN patients. The level of PCT can partially reflect the severity of the disease.
Analysis of possible structures of inducible skin‐associated lymphoid tissue in lupus erythematosus profundus
Authors: Kogame Toshiaki , Yamashita Ryosuke , Hirata Masahiro , Kataoka Tatsuki R. , Kamido Hisashi , Ueshima Chiyuki , Matsui Miho , Nomura Takashi , Kabashima Kenji 
Published: June 2018

AbstractLupus erythematosus profundus (LEP) is a variant of lupus erythematosus, involving the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat. LEP is characterized by the presence of lymphoid follicles (LF) and germinal centers (GC). However, it remains unknown whether these lymphoid structures correspond to the lymphoid tissues such as cutaneous tertiary lymphoid organs (TLO). Previously, we identified dynamically orchestrated cellular elements in murine contact dermatitis that resembled lymphoid structures, which we termed inducible skin‐associated lymphoid tissues (iSALT). We subsequently reported structures analogous to iSALT in human secondary syphilis, suggesting that iSALT can also exist in humans. Here, we studied ectopic lymphoid tissues in the lesions of LEP by immunohistochemistry and compared their characteristics with those of TLO. We demonstrated that LF of LEP were composed of B‐cell follicles intermingled with CXCL13‐expressing cells, distinct aggregations of T cells, and some blood vessels expressing peripheral node addressin. These findings indicate that LF of LEP can be considered as a type of iSALT.
Attitudes of Australian primary school teachers towards the inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Garrad Traci‐Ann , Rayner Christopher , Pedersen Scott 
Published: June 2018

Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have risen dramatically in the last 10 years, with recent estimates at one in every 100 children within Australia. This has resulted in considerable increases in the number of students with ASD entering mainstream education. Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion have been recognised as a key indicator for students’ successful inclusion. The main factors posited for determining teachers’ attitudes towards the inclusion of students with disabilities, consists of the amount of specialist training received and the length of specific ASD teaching experience. Utilising the Autism Attitude Scale for Teachers for the first time in Australia, we examined 107 primary school teachers’ attitudes towards the inclusion of students with ASD within their classrooms. The resulting scores were then analysed to examine the correlations, if any existed, between the amount of specialised training and years of ASD‐specific teaching on teachers’ attitude scores. While teachers’ attitudes were found to be highly positive, contrary to previous studies, low correlation coefficients were reported between their attitudes and ASD‐specific teaching experience, and their attitudes and the number of ASD‐specific professional development courses they attended. Findings of this study are discussed in the context of the sample population and explore the notion of a sociological and philosophical shift, attributed to the positive promotion efforts of the inclusive education movement, as one possible reason for the divergence in the findings from past research in the field.
Empirical‐Based Typology of Health Care Utilization by Medicare Eligible Veterans
Authors: Vaughan Sarrazin Mary , Rosenthal Gary E. , Turvey Carolyn L. 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveUp to 70 percent of patients who receive care through Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities also receive care from non‐VA providers. Using applied classification techniques, this study sought to improve understanding of how elderly VA patients use VA services and complementary use of non‐VA care.MethodsThe study included 1,721,900 veterans age 65 and older who were enrolled in VA and Medicare during 2013 with at least one VA encounter during 2013. Outpatient and inpatient encounters and medications received in VA were classified, and mutually exclusive patient subsets distinguished by patterns of VA service use were derived empirically using latent class analysis (LCA). Patient characteristics and complementary use of non‐VA care were compared by patient subset.ResultsFive patterns of VA service use were identified that were distinguished by quantity of VA medical and specialty services, medication complexity, and mental health services. Low VA Medical users tend to be healthier and rely on non‐VA services, while High VA users have multiple high cost illnesses and concentrate their care in the VA.ConclusionsVA patients distinguished by patterns of VA service use differ in illness burden and the use of non‐VA services. This information may be useful for framing efforts to optimize access to care and care coordination for elderly VA patients.
Expertise Redundancy, Transactive Memory, and Team Performance in Interdisciplinary Care Teams
Authors: Zhu Xi , Wholey Douglas R. 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo examine how expertise redundancy and transactive memory (TM) in interdisciplinary care teams (ICTs) are related to team performance.Data Sources/Study SettingSurvey and administrative data were collected from 26 interdisciplinary mental health teams.Study DesignThe study used a longitudinal, observational design. Independent variables were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months: expertise redundancy (the extent to which team members possess highly overlapping knowledge), TM accuracy (the extent to which team members accurately recognize experts in relevant knowledge domains), and TM consensus (the extent to which team members agree on who is expert in which knowledge domain). Team performance was measured as risk‐adjusted average number of client hospitalization for the 6 months following each survey.Data Collection MethodsSurvey data were collected by the authors. Administrative data were collected by the state's administrative agency.Principal FindingsExpertise redundancy had a negative effect on performance. TM accuracy had a positive effect on performance, and such effect was stronger when expertise redundancy was higher. No significant effect was found on TM consensus.ConclusionsTransactive memory could serve as a cognitive coordination mechanism for mitigating the negative effect of complex knowledge structure in ICTs.
Nonrecurring Items in Debt Contracts
Authors: Beatty Anne , Cheng Lin , Zach Tzachi 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTUsing a large sample of debt contracts, we study the determinants of excluding nonrecurring items from covenant calculations. We investigate this choice across firms, across items, and through time. We find that nonrecurring items are more likely to be excluded when the agency costs of debt are higher and less likely to be excluded when they predict borrowers' performance. Our evidence further suggests that the interplay between agency costs and nonrecurring items' predictive ability affects the decision to exclude these items from covenant computations. Finally, when examining the exclusion by different nonrecurring item types, we find confirmatory evidence that the probability of exclusion decreases with the predictive ability for borrowers' future performance of major nonrecurring item types. Overall, our research extends the literature on the determinants of contract design and improves understanding of the usefulness of accounting information in debt contracting.
MicroRNA‐31a‐5p from aging BMSCs links bone formation and resorption in the aged bone marrow microenvironment
Authors: Xu Rongyao , Shen Xiang , Si Yameng , Fu Yu , Zhu Weiwen , Xiao Tao , Fu Zongyun , Zhang Ping , Cheng Jie , Jiang Hongbing 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe alteration of age‐related molecules in the bone marrow microenvironment is one of the driving forces in osteoporosis. These molecules inhibit bone formation and promote bone resorption by regulating osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity, contributing to age‐related bone loss. Here, we observed that the level of microRNA‐31a‐5p (miR‐31a‐5p) was significantly increased in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from aged rats, and these BMSCs demonstrated increased adipogenesis and aging phenotypes as well as decreased osteogenesis and stemness. We used the gain‐of‐function and knockdown approach to delineate the roles of miR‐31a‐5p in osteogenic differentiation by assessing the decrease of special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein 2 (SATB2) levels and the aging of BMSCs by regulating the decline of E2F2 and recruiting senescence‐associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF). Notably, expression of miR‐31a‐5p, which promotes osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, was markedly higher in BMSCs‐derived exosomes from aged rats compared to those from young rats, and suppression of exosomal miR‐31a‐5p inhibited the differentiation and function of osteoclasts, as shown by elevated RhoA activity. Moreover, using antagomiR‐31a‐5p, we observed that, in the bone marrow microenvironment, inhibition of miR‐31a‐5p prevented bone loss and decreased the osteoclastic activity of aged rats. Collectively, our results reveal that miR‐31a‐5p acts as a key modulator in the age‐related bone marrow microenvironment by influencing osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiation and that it may be a potential therapeutic target for age‐related osteoporosis.
Clinical disease activity is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: van den Brink G. , Stapersma L. , Vlug L. E. , Rizopolous D. , Bodelier A. G. , van Wering H. , Hurkmans P. C. W. M. , Stuyt R. J. L. , Hendriks D. M. , van der Burg J. A. T. , Utens E. M. W. J. , Escher J. C. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBackgroundYouths with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk for developing anxiety and depressive symptoms with a reported 20%‐50% prevalence rate.AimsThis prospective study aimed to: (1) describe the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in a large Dutch cohort of young IBD patients, and (2) identify demographic and clinical risk factors for anxiety and depression.MethodsIBD patients (n = 374; 10‐25 years) were screened for anxiety, depression and quality of life using validated age‐specific questionnaires. Patients with elevated scores for anxiety and/or depressive symptoms received a diagnostic interview assessing psychiatric disorders. Demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved from medical charts. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for anxiety and/or depression.ResultsPatients (mean age 18.9 years, 44.1% male, Crohn's disease 60.4%) had disease in remission (75.4%), or mild, moderate and severe clinical disease activity in, respectively, 19.8%, 2.7% and 2.1%. Mild anxiety/depressive symptoms were present in 35.2% and severe symptoms in 12.4% of patients. Elevated symptoms of either anxiety (28.3%), depression (2.9%) or both (15.8%) were found and did not differ between adolescents (10‐17 years) and young adults (18‐25 years). Active disease significantly predicted depressive symptoms (odds ratio (OR): 4.6 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4‐8.8], P < 0.001). Female gender (OR: 1.7 [95% CI: 1.1‐2.7]), active disease (OR: 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1‐3.2]) and a shorter disease duration (OR: 1.3 [95% CI: 0.6‐1.0) (all P < 0.025) significantly predicted anxiety and/or depressive symptoms.ConclusionsConsidering the high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, psychological screening is recommended in young IBD patients. Screening facilitates early recognition and psychological treatment. Female patients and patients with active disease are the most vulnerable.
Excellent Preservation of Archaeological, Mercury‐Enriched Dental Remains
Authors: Ochoa‐Lugo M. , Cervini‐Silva J. , Muñoz M. D. L. , Palacios E. , Pérez‐Ramirez G. , Ramos‐Cruz E. , Romano‐Pacheco A. 
Published: June 2018

In this study, we assessed the notable preservation of mercury‐enriched ancient dental remains. The studied specimen belonged to a 30‐year‐old woman, and it was collected from Temple XIII at the archaeological site of Palenque, Mexico (17°29’2.32”N, 92°2’46.78”W; a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The preservation of an ancient molar was studied by high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (HRSEM–EDS), and the obtained results were compared to those recorded for contemporary tooth specimens. Measured and conventional carbon ages for the ancient molar were 1000 ± 30 and 1260 ± 30 bp, respectively. Energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that the accumulated Hg in the ancient molar was 66% (by weight). In contrast, the Hg content in the contemporary molar was observed to be below the analytical detection limits. Clearly, Hg accumulated preferentially in ancient dental structures. Aging favoured the overall exchange of Hg for structural Ca; namely, chemical migration from one dental compartment to the other, mineral transformations, enamel hypoplasia, and the accumulation of Hg and Al in bio‐organic structures. Overall, we observed excellent preservation of biogenic material with varying physiological function(s), including abundant odontoblasts (tubules and spheres), dentinal tubules and nervous system fibrils.
Call type signals caller goal: a new take on ultimate and proximate influences in vocal production
Authors: Schamberg Isaac , Wittig Roman M. , Crockford Catherine 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTAfter 40 years of debate it remains unclear whether signallers produce vocalizations in order to provide receivers with information about call context or external stimuli. This has led some researchers to propose that call production is arousal‐ or affect‐based. Although arousal influences certain acoustic parameters within a call type, we argue that it cannot explain why individuals across vertebrates produce different call types. Given emerging evidence that calls are goal‐based, we argue that call type is a signal of a caller's goal to elicit a change in receiver behaviour. Using chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) as case studies, we demonstrate the two benefits of viewing call production as signalling both caller goal (which determines call type) and caller arousal (which affects within‐call‐type variation). Such a framework can explain first, why a single class of calls is apparently given in multiple contexts, and, second, why some species have larger call repertoires than others. Previous studies have noted links between sociality and repertoire size, but have not specified exactly why animals living in societies that are more complex might require a greater number of differentiated signals. The caller‐goal framework potentially clarifies how social complexity might favour call diversification. As social complexity increases, callers may need to elicit a larger number of distinct behaviours from a wider range of distinct audiences.