bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementing lean six sigma and discrete-event simulation for tutoring operations in higher education institutions
Authors: Furterer Sandra L. , Schneider Kellie , Key Michael B. , Zalewski Daniel , Laudenberger Michael 
Published: July 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to improve the utilization of walk-in tutors at the University of Dayton.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper discusses the application of mixed methods participatory action research with the use of the lean six sigma (LSS) define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) methodology combined with discrete event simulation to improve the tutoring processes at the University of Dayton.

Findings
The impact of these improvements provided a great balance between tutor utilization and student wait time, and as a result, an increase in pay was negotiated for tutors. Additionally, two schools within the University, Engineering and Business, have seen the value of the tutoring for their students and have provided additional financial support for tutoring services. Specifically, these schools now have dedicated by-appointment tutors for their students.

Originality/value
Incorporating simulation within the LSS methodology provides a “prototype” simulation of the potential solutions prior to changing the process in the real world. This approach can minimize the risk of implementing solutions that are costly or ineffective. The improvement of increased tutor pay helped to demonstrate the university’s commitment to tutors and tutoring. Through continuous improvement efforts, the tutoring department has tripled the number of courses that they support through these enhanced relationships, improved utilization and the overall culture and work environment. The LSS methodology and tools combined with discrete event simulation can be used as a guide for improving other repetitive processes within the university.
Composition of Indian microfinance: a case for competing logics
Authors: Sarma Sushanta Kumar 
Published: July 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to understand how competing logics can co-exist in the organizational field of Indian microfinance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the theoretical lens of an organizational field to understand the composition of the microfinance field. Using the definition of an organizational field, key players in Indian microfinance are identified and their interactions within the field are analysed to understand the emergence and co-existence of multiple logics. The data used for this paper are collected from published work on Indian microfinance.FindingsThe co-existence of competing logics is sustained through the creation of two sub-fields within Indian microfinance. Each of the sub-field is dominated by one institutional logic. The field originated in developmental logic of microfinance and gradually adopted the banking logic post-2000. The sub-fields are dominated by different organizational forms with different nature of interaction within the field.Research limitations/implicationsActors within the field would experience institutional complexity with lesser intensity because of the existence of two distinct sub-communities with individual logic. Dual logics can sustain itself independently provided these are embedded in two different sub-communities. Despite the emergence of a new logic, the previous logic can still remain relevant given the enabling support from institutional infrastructure.Practical implicationsThe manifestation of development and banking logics through practices and the belief system in Indian microfinance would offer useful insights for social entrepreneurs balancing the dual goals of hybrid organizations. Due to the sub-communities, a professional working with different forms of organization would experience little pressure to adjust to diverse logic and would also experience no or little identity conflict.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the microfinance sector in India as an organizational field and explores the mechanism of co-existence of the dual goals of microfinance at the field level.
Philosophical foundations for Indigenous economic and political rights
Authors: Patton Paul Robert 
Published: July 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine some influential accounts of the basis for Indigenous rights, consider their strengths and weaknesses, and ascertain whether and in what degree they support effective self-government and self-determination for Indigenous people.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a brief discussion of the emergence of specifically Indigenous rights, the significance of self-determination as a means of improving the economic and social conditions of communities, and the problem such rights pose for late 20th versions of egalitarian liberalism. It then examines the liberal culturalist argument for minority rights developed by Will Kymlicka, before turning to James Tully’s elaboration of the historical approach to the justification of Indigenous rights that draws on the tradition of treaty relations in North American colonialism. Finally, it outlines a third approach based on the political liberalism of John Rawls.FindingsThe conditions of legitimate government set out in Rawls’ political liberalism are a better way to provide normative foundations for Indigenous rights in contemporary postcolonial democracies.Research limitations/implicationsThe discussion of Indigenous rights is confined to those countries established by colonization with largely British political institutions and populations. The arguments for Indigenous rights are confined to those advanced within the liberal tradition of political thought.Originality/valueSome of the criticisms of the liberal culturalist argument and of Tully’s approach are original. The case for Indigenous rights based in the legitimacy requirements of political liberalism is original and based on conceptual work by the author.
Robust image registration using subspace method in Radon transform domain
Authors: Wei Ning , He Yu , Liu Junqing , Chen Peng 
Published: July 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to represent a robust image registration method to align noisy and deformed images in their Radon transform domain. Due to the limitation of imaging mechanism, the images are often highly noisy. Even worse, the objects in images have structural differences from time to time.

Design/methodology/approach
To eliminate these degressions, the proposed method is equipped with subspace-based power spectrum analysis algorithm for rotation estimation and a new global median filter least square algorithm for displacement computation.

Findings
Experiments on strongly noisy and degenerated images show that the proposed method exhibits better accuracy and robustness than phase correlation-based method. In addition, the method can also be applied to multi-modal registration, where the results are comparable to mutual information method but spending much less time.

Originality/value
A robust image registration method is proposed, which has better performance than traditional methods.
Survival or die: a survival analysis on peer‐to‐peer lending platforms in China
Authors: Liu Qigui , Zou Luxi , Yang Xiaolin , Tang Jinghua 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study examines the probability of survival of online peer‐to‐peer (P2P) lending platforms in China. Our empirical findings show that shareholder's background, platforms’ risk management and institutional environment are three major factors that influence the probability of survival of P2P platforms in China. In addition, the effects of risk control and institutional environment are less pronounced in state‐owned P2P platforms. We also show that platforms that die from abscondence of owners tend to be more short‐lived than others, while platforms that die from liquidity problems are usually due to lack of high‐quality risk management techniques.
Markers of microbial exposure lower the incidence of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Chatenoud Liliane , Bertuccio Paola , Turati Federica , Galeone Carlotta , Naldi Luigi , Chatenoud Lucienne , La Vecchia Carlo , Bach Jean‐François ,   The HYGIENE Study Group
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe hygiene hypothesis proposes that reduced exposure to infectious agents in early life would explain the increase of allergic and autoimmune diseases observed over the past decades in high‐income countries.MethodsWe conducted a matched case‐control study on incident atopic dermatitis (AD). Cases were 426 outpatient children with a first diagnosis of incident AD. Controls were 426 children attending a pediatric/dermatological visit for nonatopic disorders matched to cases (1:1). Particular attention was paid to the time elapsed between the markers of microbial exposure and disease onset, and we considered for controls the same time window of exposures from birth as his/her matched case. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed using multivariable conditional logistic regression models, according to center, sex, age, and period of enrollment, and including as potential confounders a family history of any allergy in parents, type of delivery, having siblings, keeping pets, age at weaning, and having had ≥4 infections.ResultsThe OR of AD first occurrence was 0.35 (P‐value = .039) for children who had experienced ≥4 infections compared with those with no infections. A decreasing trend in risk was observed with increasing number of siblings (P‐value = .023), the protective effect reaching about 40% for children with 2 or more siblings (OR = 0.62; P‐value = .048). Pet keeping, in particular daily contact with dogs, was inversely associated with AD risk (OR = 0.40; P‐value = .004).ConclusionsThese results support the hygiene hypothesis in its broad sense. Early‐life environmental exposures, including pathogens and commensals, act as “microbes contact carriers” influencing immune system balance early in life.
A response‐adaptive randomization procedure for multi‐armed clinical trials with normally distributed outcomes
Authors: Williamson S. Faye , Villar Sofía S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe propose a novel response‐adaptive randomization procedure for multi‐armed trials with continuous outcomes that are assumed to be normally distributed. Our proposed rule is non‐myopic, and oriented toward a patient benefit objective, yet maintains computational feasibility. We derive our response‐adaptive algorithm based on the Gittins index for the multi‐armed bandit problem, as a modification of the method first introduced in Villar et al. (Biometrics, 71, pp. 969‐978). The resulting procedure can be implemented under the assumption of both known or unknown variance. We illustrate the proposed procedure by simulations in the context of phase II cancer trials. Our results show that, in a multi‐armed setting, there are efficiency and patient benefit gains of using a response‐adaptive allocation procedure with a continuous endpoint instead of a binary one. These gains persist even if an anticipated low rate of missing data due to deaths, dropouts, or complete responses is imputed online through a procedure first introduced in this paper. Additionally, we discuss how there are response‐adaptive designs that outperform the traditional equal randomized design both in terms of efficiency and patient benefit measures in the multi‐armed trial context.
Ursolic acid promotes apoptosis and mediates transcriptional suppression of CT45A2 gene expression in non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma harbouring EGFR T790M mutations
Authors: Yang Kaiyong , Chen Yan , Zhou Jiaqian , Ma Lin , Shan Yating , Cheng Xiaoying , Wang Yun , Zhang Zhaoxin , Ji Xiaojun , Chen Lili , Dai Hui , Zhu Biqing , Li Chen , Tao Zhonghua , Hu Xichun , Yin Wu 
Published: July 2019

Background and PurposeIn non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients, the L858R/T790M mutation of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a major cause of acquired resistance to EGFR‐TKIs treatment that limits their therapeutic efficacy. Identification of drugs that can preferentially kill the NSCLC harbouring L858R/T790M mutation is therefore critical. Here, we have evaluated the effects of ursolic acid, an active component isolated from herbal sources, on erlotinib‐resistant H1975 cells that harbour the L858R/T790M mutation.Experimental ApproachGene expression omnibus (GEO) profiles analyses was applied to detect differentially expressed genes in NSCLC cells harbouring EGFR mutation. AnnexinV‐FITC/PI, TUNEL staining, MTT, wound healing, RT‐PCR, qRT‐PCR, western blots, immunostaining, dual‐luciferase reporters and ChIP‐PCR were utilized to investigate the effects of ursolic acid in vitro and in vivo.Key ResultsThe cancer/testis antigen family 45 member A2 (CT45A2) was highly expressed in H1975 cells. Ectopic expression of CT45A2 in H1975 cells increased cell proliferation and motility in vitro. Silencing the CT45A2 expression strongly attenuated H1975 cells motility and growth. The anti‐cancer effect of ursolic acid was critically dependent on CT45A2 expression in H1975 cells. Ursolic acid suppressed CT45A2 gene transcription mediated by transcriptional factor TCF4 and β‐catenin signalling.Conclusions and ImplicationsCT45A2 is a novel oncogene for NSCLC with an EGFR T790 mutation. Ursolic acid induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of H1975 cells by negatively regulating the β‐catenin/TCF4/CT45A2 signalling pathway. Therefore, ursolic acid may be a potential candidate treatment for NSCLC harbouring the EGFR‐L858R/T790M mutation.
The experience of carers of children with cerebral palsy living in rural areas of Ghana who have received no rehabilitation services: A qualitative study
Authors: Nyante Gifty Gyamah , Carpenter Christine 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimThis study aims to explore the experiences of carers of children with cerebral palsy living in rural areas of Ghana who have received no rehabilitation services.BackgroundCerebral palsy is the most common chronic disability from childhood, which needs lifelong rehabilitation. Most of the population living in rural communities in Ghana have virtually no form of rehabilitation services for their chronic disabling conditions. Caring for children with disability are known to be challenging especially when coupled with environmental challenges in rural communities.ResultsPurposive and snowball techniques were used to recruit 12 carers, age 22 to 68 years, of children with cerebral palsy aged 7 to 15 years. Two main themes, developing personal beliefs to support the caregiving role and the demands that shape the experience of caring, emerged from six subthemes and 25 theme clusters of the narratives of the carers. The essential structure of the phenomenon demonstrated the complex interaction of personal and environmental factors in harmony with the actual demands to influence the experiences of participants positively or negatively. Positively, carers achieved coping, committed to caring, hoped for the future, and accepted the condition. However, negatively, carers described the triggering factors of feeling of despair and sorrow as frustration and lack of understanding of the condition, felt stigmatized, and perceived the child was going through pain and suffering.ConclusionsCarers derived strength from their religious and spiritual beliefs to balance the demands of caregiving. Findings could be used as basis for developing interventions to support carers and inform new strategies for rehabilitation service and sensitization of community members about inclusion of children with disabilities.
Synthesis and application of KM‐type reactive dyes containing 2‐ethoxy‐4‐chloro‐s‐triazine
Authors: Zhang Qiushui , Xiong Wei , Zhang Shufen , Ma Wei , Tang Bingtao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA new kind of hetero‐bifunctional reactive dye containing 2‐ethoxy‐4‐chloro‐s‐triazine, with better activity matching with β‐hydroxyethyl sulphone sulphate at a low fixation temperature, was successfully synthesised and characterised. An ethoxy group was designed to be introduced into triazine to increase the substantivity and the reactivity of the dyes. Thereby, the fixation of mono‐s‐chlorotriazine/hydroxyethyl sulphone sulphate (KM‐type) bifunctional reactive dyes on cotton was improved, and dyeing under mild conditions with high fixation was realised. Nineteen dyes with orange, red and blue colours were synthesised and characterised by UV‐Vis and infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Synthesised dyes were dyed at 60, 75 and 90°C, respectively. Exhaustion and reactivity for all of the ethoxy‐containing KM‐type dyes was over 90% at the optimal temperature, and fixation was over 87%, which was higher than the ethoxy‐free comparative dyes. The optimal fixation temperature of ethoxy‐containing dyes was initially reduced to 75°C, and then to 60°C. Compared with comparative dyes, the wash fastness and light fastness were basically unchanged, and the wet rub fastness of the H‐acid series was reduced by one grade.
Location matters: A spatial econometric analysis of regional resilience in the European Union
Authors: Annoni Paola , de Dominicis Laura , Khabirpour Neysan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study is to empirically examine regional resilience by assessing economic growth patterns in two distinct groups of regions across the European Union in the aftermath of the 2008 economic and financial crisis. In an effort to consider the regions as interconnected economic areas and account for spillover effects, the model incorporates complex spatial effects that consider both spatial heterogeneity and spatial dependence. The analysis follows a step‐wise approach. First, spatial heterogeneity is assessed by employing Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis, which identifies two distinct spatial regimes, a core and a periphery, based on their initial level of economic development. A Spatial Durbin Model is then employed to estimate the determinants of regional resilience and growth in both regimes, including potential spillover effects. Results indicate that while both spatial regimes experience processes of economic convergence, recent determinants of growth, as well as spillover dynamics, differ across the two. In the core regime, better institutions, higher shares of investment, and an economy specialized in higher value‐added sectors significantly spur domestic growth, with investment also inducing positive spillover effects to neighbouring regions. In the peripheral regime, low shares of lower‐secondary educational attainment and high shares of tertiary educational attainment have a significant positive effect on domestic growth, with higher shares of tertiary educational attainment also inducing positive spillover effects. Moreover, technological readiness is also identified as an important factor in the peripheral regime with positive spillover effects. Upon the bedrock of these findings, initial policy proposals are offered.
Comparing objective and self‐reported measures of adherence in haemophilia
Authors: Guedes Vanessa Giroto , Corrente José Eduardo , Farrugia Albert , Thomas Sylvia , Wachholz Patrick Alexander , de Oliveira Vidal Edison Iglesias 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimTo compare subjective and objective measures of adherence to prophylaxis in haemophilia.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we compared participants’ self‐perceived adherence and their estimate of the number of clotting factor concentrates (CFCs) that had been missed over the last period of CFC dispensation with an objective measure of adherence based on counts of CFC vials returned by participants.ResultsWe included 29 out of 31 eligible patients in the study. There was no significant correlation between self‐perceived degree of adherence and the objective classification of adherence (Rho: 0.10, 95% CI: −028 to 0.46, P: 0.61) and between the classification of adherence based on the proportion of missed CFC doses assessed by participants’ self‐report and objectively (Rho: 0.32, 95% CI: −0.01 to 0.59, P: 0.11). Conversely, we found evidence of moderate correlation between the proportion of missed CFC doses as assessed by participants’ self‐report and objectively (Rho: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.77, P: 0.003). Participants’ self‐perceived adherence was 3 times more likely to be rated as very good or good than it was for the objective assessment to be classified as adherent or suboptimally adherent.ConclusionOur results showed significant discrepancies between subjective and objective measures of adherence, which likely reflect the influence of social desirability bias in self‐reported measures and different concepts of adherence between patients/caregivers and haemophilia experts. Additionally, our results allow us to hypothesize that studies on adherence to prophylaxis in haemophilia relying exclusively on information from self‐reports and questionnaires may substantially overestimate adherence levels.
Assessment of glucose kinetics with real‐time continuous glucose monitoring during labor
Authors: Maki Jota , Eto Eriko , Tamada Shoko , Mitsui Takashi , Hayata Kei , Nakamura Keiichiro , Hiramatsu Yuji , Masuyama Hisashi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimChanges in glucose levels during labor have not been sufficiently investigated in pregnant women. Using real‐time continuous glucose monitoring, we aimed to assess glucose kinetics during labor among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (PwGDM), and those with normal glucose tolerance (PwNGT).MethodsJapanese PwGDM and PwNGT who had planned a transvaginal delivery at Okayama University Hospital were enrolled. The correlation between changes in glucose levels during labor among the PwGDM and PwNGT groups at four time periods was assessed: (i) active phase of 1st stage of labor; (ii) 2nd stage of labor; (iii) postpartum 0–12 h; and (iv) postpartum 12–48 h.ResultsIn total, 18 and 22 PwGDM and PwNGT, respectively, were enrolled. During labor, both groups had similar changes in glucose levels over time, which peaked during period 3. The main effect of glucose level changes was the labor period (P < 0.001), not the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, differences in glucose levels in the PwGDM group were observed between periods 1 and 2 (P = 0.037), 1 and 3 (P = 0.024), 3 and 4 (P = 0.005); differences in glucose levels in the PwNGT group were observed between periods 3 and 4 (P = 0.024).ConclusionDuring labor, both PwGDM and PwNGT groups showed similar changes in glucose levels over time. During delivery, the PwGDM who regularly measured their own glucose levels could be managed using the same nutritional management methods as those for PwNGT.
Potential roles of the CCL17‐CCR4 axis in immunopathogenesis of oral lichen planus
Authors: Shan Jing , Shen Chen , Fang Jiaxiang , Li Shan , Fan Yuan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundOral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell–mediated chronic inflammatory disease. C‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) and its cognate C‐C motif chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) play a key role in T‐cell activation and trafficking, but their implication in OLP pathogenesis has not been explored. Our study was designed to analyze the expression and function of the CCL17‐CCR4 axis in OLP.MethodsThe mRNA expression levels of CCL17 and CCR4 in the circulating T cells of OLP subjects were examined by quantitative real‐time PCR. The protein levels of CCL17 and CCR4 in the peripheral blood of OLP subjects were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Simple Western assay, respectively. The functional relevance of increased expression of CCL17 and CCR4 in OLP was demonstrated in proliferation, apoptosis, and migration assays.ResultsThe mRNA and protein expression levels of CCL17 and CCR4 in the peripheral blood of patients with OLP were significantly upregulated compared with those of controls. CCL17 induced the migration of OLP T cells. In addition, blocking CCR4 with a small molecule CCR4 antagonist not only inhibited the proliferation and migration of OLP T cells but also promoted the apoptosis of OLP T cells.ConclusionOur findings indicate that the CCL17‐CCR4 axis might be responsible for the inflammatory infiltration of T cells in OLP.