bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing teaching performance in higher education: a framework for continuous improvement
Authors: Carlucci Daniela , Renna Paolo , Izzo Carmen , Schiuma Giovanni 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for the analysis of students’ ratings of teaching quality in higher education and the disclosure of risky issues undermining the quality of teaching and courses that require attention for continuous improvement. The framework integrates two decision-based methods: the standardized u-control chart and the ABC analysis using fuzzy weights. The control chart, using the students’ ratings, allows the identification of those courses requiring an improvement of teaching quality in the short-medium term. While the ABC analysis uses fuzzy weights to deal with the vagueness and uncertainty of students’ teaching evaluations and provides a risk map of the potential areas of teaching performances improvement in the long term. The proposed framework allows the identification of teaching and course quality aspects that need corrective actions in response to students’ criticisms in accordance with different levels of priority.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts two methods, commonly used in industrial applications, i.e. the u-control chart and ABC analysis. Combining the results of a literature review on teaching evaluation and the application of these two methods as building blocks for the assessment, a framework to detect potential risks reducing teaching quality in higher education is proposed. The application of the framework is shown through an action-based case study developed in an Italian public university.FindingsThe study proposes a framework that combines two methods, i.e. u-control chart and ABC analysis with fuzzy weights, to support the assessment of teaching and course quality. The framework is proposed as an assessment approach of the teaching performance in higher education with the purpose to continuously improve the quality of teaching and courses both in the short, medium and long term.Originality/valueThe study provides an original contribution to the understanding of how to analyze students’ evaluation of teaching performance in order to take proper and timely decisions on corrective actions in response to the need of continuously improving the level of teaching and course quality.
Corporate governance and risk in cross-listed and Canadian only companies
Authors: Chakraborty Atreya , Gao Lucia , Sheikh Shahbaz 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate if there is a differential effect of corporate governance mechanisms on firm risk in Canadian companies cross-listed on US markets and Canadian companies not cross-listed (Canadian only companies).Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample comprised of all Canadian companies included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index for the period 2009–2014, this study applies OLS and fixed effect regressions to investigate the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on firm risk. Interaction variables between governance mechanisms and the cross-listing status are used to examine if this effect is different for cross-listed firms.FindingsResults indicate that the effect of board characteristics such as size, independence and proportion of female directors remains the same in both cross-listed and not cross-listed firms. CEO duality and insider equity ownership impact firm risk only in cross-listed companies, while institutional shareholdings, environmental, social and governance disclosure and family control affect firm risk in Canadian only firms. Overall, the empirical results indicate that some governance mechanisms impact firm risk only in firms that cross-list, while others are well-suited for Canadian only firms.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that some of the differences between Canadian companies that cross-list and the Canadian companies that do not cross-list in US stock markets may change the impact of governance mechanisms on firm risk. Therefore, these findings have important implications for the design of governance mechanisms in Canadian firms. Since some of these differences are common to other economies, the conclusions can be extended to companies in other countries with similar governance structures.Originality/valueAlthough previous studies have investigated the effect of governance mechanism on firm risk, this is the first paper that studies the differential effect for companies that cross-list in US markets. Specifically, differences in the ownership structure, firm control and in the regulatory and institutional environment, may explain this differential effect. Unlike most of the previous studies that focus on the effect of individual governance mechanisms, this study uses several mechanisms and their interactions at the same time.
Efficient dip‐angle angle‐domain common‐image gather estimation using Poynting vector in acoustic reverse time migration and its application in noise suppression
Authors: Liu Qiancheng , Zhang Jianfeng 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTIn reverse time migration, we can produce angle‐domain common‐imaging gathers in either the scattering‐angle domain or the dip‐angle domain. The latter, although not used as widely as the former, still provides a unique view to look into seismic imaging. The reverse time migration dip‐angle angle‐domain common‐image gather can be computed via the subsurface offset extension, which is a bit costly in storage. We here obtain dip‐angle angle‐domain common‐imaging gathers efficiently in acoustic reverse time migration by using the normalized Poynting vectors. Poynting vector, an indicator of the directional energy flux, is easy to compute during wavefield propagation. Similar to the subsurface‐offset method, our method also has dip‐angle angle‐domain common‐imaging gathers of blocky horizontal coherence. In the theory of local semblance analysis, the signal with better horizontal coherence has a higher semblance score, and vice versa. Based on the estimated semblance scores, we can thus design a specularity filter to preserve valid signals and suppress noises. We validate our method with two data sets. Both the Marmousi data and the real data show that our method works effectively in eliminating noises and enhancing resolution in the acoustic reverse time migration imaging.
Blended‐acquisition design of irregular geometries towards faster, cheaper, safer and better seismic surveying
Authors: Nakayama Shotaro , Blacquière Gerrit , Ishiyama Tomohide , Ishikawa Satoshi 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTThe application of blended acquisition has drawn considerable attention owing to its ability to improve the operational efficiency as well as the data quality and health, safety and environment performance. Furthermore, the acquisition of less data contributes to the business aspect, while the desired data density is still realizable via subsequent data reconstruction. The use of fewer detectors and sources also minimizes operational risks in the field. Therefore, a combined implementation of these technologies potentially enhances the value of a seismic survey further. One way to encourage this is to minimize any imperfection in deblending and data reconstruction during processing. In addition, one may derive survey parameters that enable a further improvement in these processes as introduced in this study. The proposed survey design workflow iteratively performs the following steps to derive the survey parameters responsible for source blending as well as the spatial sampling of detectors and sources. The first step is the application of blending and sampling operators to unblended and well‐sampled data. We then apply closed‐loop deblending and data reconstruction. The residue for a given design from this step is evaluated and subsequently used by genetic algorithms to simultaneously update the survey parameters related to both blending and spatial sampling. The updated parameters are fed into the next iteration until they satisfy the given termination criteria. We also propose a repeated encoding sequence to form a parameter sequence in genetic algorithms, making the size of problem space manageable. The results of the proposed workflow are outlined using blended dispersed source array data incorporating different scenarios that represent acquisition in marine, transition zone and land environments. Clear differences attributed solely to the parameter design are easily recognizable. Additionally, a comparison among different optimization schemes illustrates the ability of genetic algorithms along with a repeated encoding sequence to find better solutions within a computationally affordable time. The optimized parameters yield a notable enhancement in the deblending and data reconstruction quality and consequently provide optimal acquisition scenarios.
Topotecan monotherapy for the treatment of relapsed small cell lung cancer in elderly patients: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Imai Hisao , Yamada Yutaka , Minemura Hiroyuki , Sugiyama Tomohide , Kotake Mie , Kaira Kyoichi , Kanazawa Kenya , Nakamura Yoichi , Kasai Takashi , Shibata Yoko , Kaburagi Takayuki , Minato Koichi ,   Gunma‐Ibaragi‐Fukushima‐Tochigi (GIFT) Group
Published: October 2018

BackgroundTopotecan is one of the most active chemotherapeutic drugs for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, its efficacy in elderly patients with SCLC has not been validated. This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of topotecan monotherapy in elderly patients with relapsed SCLC.MethodsBetween January 2000 and March 2017, 43 patients aged ≥ 70 years received topotecan monotherapy for relapsed SCLC at four institutions. The clinical outcomes and adverse events of treatment were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsTwenty‐nine patients (median age 75 years; range: 70–83 years) had sensitive‐type relapse, while 14 (median age 78 years; range: 71–82 years) had refractory relapse. The median number of treatment cycles was two (range: 1–6). The response rate was 7.0% (10.3% and 0% in sensitive and refractory patients, respectively), while the disease control rate was 23.2% (20.6% and 42.8% in sensitive and refractory patients, respectively). Median progression‐free survival was 1.9 months in sensitive patients and 1.4 months in refractory patients (P = 0.87). The median survival time from the start of topotecan therapy was 5.5 months in sensitive patients and 4.0 months in refractory patients (P = 0.64). Grade ≥ 3 hematological toxicities were as follows: leukopenia, 37.2%; neutropenia, 51.1%; anemia, 0%; thrombocytopenia, 32.5%; and febrile neutropenia, 9.3%. No treatment‐related deaths occurred.ConclusionAlthough hematological toxicities (particularly neutropenia) were severe, topotecan showed favorable disease control in both sensitive and refractory patients. Topotecan may thus be a preferred treatment for elderly patients with relapsed SCLC.
A pilot study of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cardiac stress positron emission tomography before major non‐cardiac surgery
Authors: Ferguson M. T. , Hofman M. S. , Ismail H. , Melville A. , Yap K. S. K. , Hicks R. J. , Wright S. , Riedel B. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryCardiac events are a common cause of peri‐operative morbidity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing can objectively assess risk, but it does not quantify myocardial ischaemia. With appropriate dietary preparation to suppress basal myocardial glucose uptake, positron emission tomography with 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose can identify post‐ischaemic myocardium, providing an attractive complement to exercise testing. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of this diagnostic algorithm. Patients referred for cardiopulmonary exercise testing before major cancer surgery were prospectively recruited. Exercise testing and positron emission tomography imaging were performed after a high fat–low carbohydrate meal. Protocol feasibility (primary end‐point) included compliance with pre‐test diet instructions and the completion of tests. Stress myocardial perfusion imaging was performed if either exercise testing or positron emission tomography was equivocal or positive for ischaemia. We recorded cardiac complications for 30 postoperative days. We enrolled 26 participants, 20 of whom completed protocol. Twenty‐one participants proceeded to surgery: myocardial injury or infarction was diagnosed in three participants, two of whom had positive or equivocal positron emission tomography but negative myocardial perfusion imaging. We have shown that pre‐operative cardiac positron emission tomography after cardiopulmonary exercise testing is feasible; protocol deviations were minor and did not affect image quality. Our findings warrant further investigation to compare the diagnostic utility of cardiac positron emission tomography imaging with standard pre‐operative stress tests.
Editorial: a baseline tool for predicting response to peginterferon alfa‐2a in HBeAg‐positive patients—same score, different outcomes
Authors: Peng Cheng‐Yuan 
Published: October 2018

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Chan et al and Chan papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14862 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14961.
Personalized risk‐based screening for diabetic retinopathy: A multivariate approach versus the use of stratification rules
Authors: García‐Fiñana Marta , Hughes David M. , Cheyne Christopher P. , Broadbent Deborah M. , Wang Amu , Komárek Arnošt , Stratton Irene M. , Mobayen‐Rahni Mehrdad , Alshukri Ayesh , Vora Jiten P. , Harding Simon P. 
Published: October 2018

AimsTo evaluate our proposed multivariate approach to identify patients who will develop sight‐threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) within a 1‐year screen interval, and explore the impact of simple stratification rules on prediction.Materials and methodsA 7‐year dataset (2009‐2016) from people with diabetes (PWD) was analysed using a novel multivariate longitudinal discriminant approach. Level of diabetic retinopathy, assessed from routine digital screening photographs of both eyes, was jointly modelled using clinical data collected over time. Simple stratification rules based on retinopathy level were also applied and compared with the multivariate discriminant approach.ResultsData from 13 103 PWD (49 520 screening episodes) were analysed. The multivariate approach accurately predicted whether patients developed STDR or not within 1 year from the time of prediction in 84.0% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI] 80.4‐89.7), compared with 56.7% (95% CI 55.5‐58.0) and 79.7% (95% CI 78.8‐80.6) achieved by the two stratification rules. While the stratification rules detected up to 95.2% (95% CI 92.2‐97.6) of the STDR cases (sensitivity) only 55.6% (95% CI 54.5‐56.7) of patients who did not develop STDR were correctly identified (specificity), compared with 85.4% (95% CI 80.4‐89.7%) and 84.0% (95% CI 80.7‐87.6%), respectively, achieved by the multivariate risk model.ConclusionsAccurate prediction of progression to STDR in PWD can be achieved using a multivariate risk model whilst also maintaining desirable specificity. While simple stratification rules can achieve good levels of sensitivity, the present study indicates that their lower specificity (high false‐positive rate) would therefore necessitate a greater frequency of eye examinations.
Variation in dung removal by dung beetles in subtropical Atlantic Rainforests
Authors: Amore Valentina , da Silva Pedro Giovâni , Hensen Maristela Carpintero , Hernández Malva Isabel Medina , Lobo Jorge M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDung consumption and removal is a fundamental ecological process carried out by dung beetles that drive soil nutrient cycling and associated ecosystem services. In this study, the removal rate of small droppings by dung beetles was estimated in natural subtropical rainforests of southern Brazil located along an elevational gradient, in order to understand the factors influencing variation in dung removal. To do that, the comparative explanatory capacity of three main types of variables was quantified: assemblage characteristics, local climatic and habitat conditions, and seasonal variation. The complete disappearance of dung within 48 h after deposition occurs in 73% of occasions. The highest explanatory capacity correspond to the combined effects of the three types of variables; however, average air temperature during the sampling period, total volume of dung beetles collected in the traps in which dung removal was measured, and the seasonal transition from summer to winter were the most important and representative predictors of dung removal. Thus, the dung nutrient incorporation into the soil will most likely be greater during spring‐summer conditions, when the air temperature at the time of dung deposition is high and the biomass of the dung beetle assemblage is bigger.
Spread of Xanthomonas fragariae in strawberry fields by machinery
Authors: Kastelein P. , Evenhuis A. , van der Zouwen P. S. , Krijger M. , van der Wolf J. M. 
Published: October 2018

The spread of Xanthomonas fragariae in a strawberry field by mowing and runner cutting machinery was studied in the Netherlands during autumn. The blades of a rotary mower became heavily contaminated after trimming the leaves of symptomatic plants. Use of a contaminated mower resulted in infection of plants that were initially free of X. fragariae, even at a distance of 4 m (i.e. 10 mother plants) from the symptomatic plants. Directly after mowing, the pathogen could be detected on damaged leaves at a density of 103–105 cells g−1. Infections were established, although 3 months after mowing symptoms were still absent. There were indications that the use of the mower resulted in the spread of infected leaf material from symptomatic plants to neighbouring beds. Spread by a runner cutting machine was also studied. Again, after cutting the runners of symptomatic plants, high numbers of X. fragariae cells were recovered from debris on the discs of the machine. During cutting, the cut ends of runners of plants initially free of X. fragariae became contaminated, even at a distance of 4 m from the symptomatic plants, but only at low densities of 103 cfu g−1. Three months after stolon cutting, infections were detected in some of the cut plants.
14‐3‐3 protein masks the nuclear localization sequence of caspase‐2
Authors: Smidova Aneta , Alblova Miroslava , Kalabova Dana , Psenakova Katarina , Rosulek Michal , Herman Petr , Obsil Tomas , Obsilova Veronika 
Published: October 2018

Caspase‐2 is an apical protease responsible for the proteolysis of cellular substrates directly involved in mediating apoptotic signaling cascades. Caspase‐2 activation is inhibited by phosphorylation followed by binding to the scaffolding protein 14‐3‐3, which recognizes two phosphoserines located in the linker between the caspase recruitment domain and the p19 domains of the caspase‐2 zymogen. However, the structural details of this interaction and the exact role of 14‐3‐3 in the regulation of caspase‐2 activation remain unclear. Moreover, the caspase‐2 region with both 14‐3‐3‐binding motifs also contains the nuclear localization sequence (NLS), thus suggesting that 14‐3‐3 binding may regulate the subcellular localization of caspase‐2. Here, we report a structural analysis of the 14‐3‐3ζ:caspase‐2 complex using a combined approach based on small angle X‐ray scattering, NMR, chemical cross‐linking, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The structural model proposed in this study suggests that phosphorylated caspase‐2 and 14‐3‐3ζ form a compact and rigid complex in which the p19 and the p12 domains of caspase‐2 are positioned within the central channel of the 14‐3‐3 dimer and stabilized through interactions with the C‐terminal helices of both 14‐3‐3ζ protomers. In this conformation, the surface of the p12 domain, which is involved in caspase‐2 activation by dimerization, is sterically occluded by the 14‐3‐3 dimer, thereby likely preventing caspase‐2 activation. In addition, 14‐3‐3 protein binding to caspase‐2 masks its NLS. Therefore, our results suggest that 14‐3‐3 protein binding to caspase‐2 may play a key role in regulating caspase‐2 activation.DatabaseThe atomic coordinates and structure factors have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank, www.ww pdb.org (PDB ID codes 6GKF and 6GKG).
A combined lipidomic and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach reveals archaeal sources of intact polar lipids in the stratified Black Sea water column
Authors: Sollai Martina , Villanueva Laura , Hopmans Ellen C. , Reichart Gert‐Jan , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractArchaea are important players in marine biogeochemical cycles, and their membrane lipids are useful biomarkers in environmental and geobiological studies. However, many archaeal groups remain uncultured and their lipid composition unknown. Here, we aim to expand the knowledge on archaeal lipid biomarkers and determine the potential sources of those lipids in the water column of the euxinic Black Sea. The archaeal community was evaluated by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and by quantitative PCR. The archaeal intact polar lipids (IPLs) were investigated by ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Our study revealed both a complex archaeal community and large changes with water depth in the IPL assemblages. In the oxic/upper suboxic waters (<105 m), the archaeal community was dominated by marine group (MG) I Thaumarchaeota, coinciding with a higher relative abundance of hexose phosphohexose crenarchaeol, a known marker for Thaumarchaeota. In the suboxic waters (80–110 m), MGI Nitrosopumilus sp. dominated and produced predominantly monohexose glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) and hydroxy‐GDGTs. Two clades of MGII Euryarchaeota were present in the oxic and upper suboxic zones in much lower abundances, preventing the detection of their specific IPLs. In the deep sulfidic waters (>110 m), archaea belonging to the DPANN Woesearchaeota, Bathyarchaeota, and ANME‐1b clades dominated. Correlation analyses suggest that the IPLs GDGT‐0, GDGT‐1, and GDGT‐2 with two phosphatidylglycerol (PG) head groups and archaeol with a PG, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine head groups were produced by ANME‐1b archaea. Bathyarchaeota represented 55% of the archaea in the deeper part of the euxinic zone and likely produces archaeol with phospho‐dihexose and hexose‐glucuronic acid head groups.