bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An extension of Delone and McLean IS success model with self-efficacy
Authors: Aldholay Adnan , Isaac Osama , Abdullah Zaini , Abdulsalam Rasheed , Al-Shibami Ahmed Hamoud 
Published: July 2018

PurposeWhile many researchers have investigated the adoption and usage of online learning in different settings, one area that has yet to be examined thoroughly, particularly in the context of online learning in Yemen, is the self-efficacy role. The purpose of this paper is to extend the Delone and McLean information system success model by incorporating a self-efficacy construct as an antecedent to user satisfaction and actual usage to predict student performance.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire survey method was used to collect primary data from 448 students in nine public universities in Yemen. The six constructs in the proposed model were measured using existing scales. The data analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling via AMOS.FindingsThree main results were revealed, namely that overall quality (system, information and service quality) and self-efficacy have a positive impact on user satisfaction and actual usage; that actual usage significantly predicts user satisfaction; and that both user satisfaction and actual usage have a positive impact on student performance.Research limitations/implicationsFirst as the study population were students from nine public universities, it excluded academics and administrative staff. Second, the study depends on self-reported measures to test the proposed research model. This is because getting objective data about the performance was not probable due to the issue of privacy.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can be a guideline for Yemeni higher education institutions to develop efficient and effective plans to improve the performance of education institutions, and train and develop student ability to use online learning. Additionally, it highlights the areas that university management needs to concentrate on, namely information systems (IS) tools that will contribute to higher student enrolment, address the lack of infrastructure and improve the quality of education outcomes, things which represent Yemen’s main challenges in the higher education sector.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the existing literature of IS by combining overall quality, self-efficacy, actual usage and user satisfaction to predict performance impact of online learning among students in nine public universities in Yemen. Furthermore, the predictive power of the proposed model has a higher ability to explain and predict performance impact compared to those obtained from some of the previous studies.
Bayesian structural equation modelling tutorial for novice management researchers
Authors: R.M. Harindranath , Jacob Jayanth 
Published: July 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to popularize the Bayesian methods among novice management researchers. The paper interprets the results of Bayesian method of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling (SEM), mediation and moderation analysis, with the intention that the novice researchers will apply this method in their research. The paper made an attempt in discussing various complex mathematical concepts such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo, Bayes factor, Bayesian information criterion and deviance information criterion (DIC), etc. in a lucid manner.

Design/methodology/approach
Data collected from 172 pharmaceutical sales representatives were used. The study will help the management researchers to perform Bayesian CFA, Bayesian SEM, Bayesian moderation analysis and Bayesian mediation analysis using SPSS AMOS software.

Findings
The interpretation of the results of Bayesian CFA, Bayesian SEM and Bayesian mediation analysis were discussed.

Practical implications
The management scholars are non-statisticians and are not much aware of the benefits offered by Bayesian methods. Hitherto, the management scholars use predominantly traditional SEM in validating their models empirically, and this study will give an exposure to “Bayesian statistics” that has practical advantages.

Originality/value
This is one paper, which discusses the following four concepts: Bayesian method of CFA, SEM, mediation and moderation analysis.
Prevalence and Severity of Postdialysis Fatigue Are Higher in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis With Functional Disability
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Di Stasio Enrico , Sirolli Vittorio , Ippoliti Fabio , Cenerelli Stefano , Monteburini Tania , Parodi Emanuele , Santarelli Stefano , Nebiolo Pier Eugenio , Bonomini Mario , Picca Anna , Calvani Riccardo , Marzetti Emanuele 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine the intensity, duration, frequency and prevalence of postdialysis fatigue (PDF) in patients on chronic hemodialysis (PCD) with and without functional disability. Patients underwent assessment of functional ability by the Katz ADL (activity daily living) questionnaire and the Lawton and Brody scale for the instrumental activity daily living (IADL) fatigue using the SF‐36 Vitality Subscale, comorbidity through the Charlson comorbidity score index (CDI), and time of recovery after hemodialysis (TIRD). We studied 271 PCD. ADL and IADL disabilities were present in 75 (27.6%) and 168 (62%) patients, respectively. Patients with ADL disability were significantly older and showed higher CDI scores, and lower levels of serum albumin and Kt/V. Prevalence of PDF was significantly higher in patients with ADL disability as well as its severity, intensity, duration and frequency. Patients with IADL disability were significantly older, had a higher CCI score, had lower levels of serum albumin and Kt/V, and had a higher severity, intensity, duration and frequency of PDF. At multivariate regression analysis, ADL disability was positively associated with age, prevalence and severity of PDF, and dialysate temperature and inversely associated with serum albumin levels. IADL disability was instead positively associated with age and dialysate temperature and inversely associated with serum albumin levels. In conclusion, prevalence and severity of PDF are significantly higher in PCD with ADL disability than in those without it. This knowledge may have important implications for the development of interventions to reduce PDF in PCD.
Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Iranian General Population: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Bouya Salehoddin , Balouchi Abbas , Rafiemanesh Hosein , Hesaraki Mehran 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CKD in the Iranian general population. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis study, international (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google scholar) and national databases (SID, Magiran) were searched until December 30, 2017. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Hoy instrument. Out of 1170 initial studies, 9 studies with a total of 70 605 participants were included in the final stage of this study. Based on the results of the random effect method (95% CI), the overall prevalence of chronic kidney disease in 70 605 people was 15.14% (I2 = 99.77%). The prevalence of CKD in female patients (18.80%) was 1.7 times higher than in male patients (10.83). The results of the present study indicate a higher than the global average prevalence of CKD in Iran and the need for additional attention of policy makers on better planning for control and implementation of screening programs in high‐risk populations, such as patients with hypertension and diabetes.
Retrieval of an embedded suprarenal inferior vena cava filter using the Hangman technique
Authors: Clements Warren , Kassamali Rahil , Joseph Tim 
Published: July 2018

SummaryInferior vena cava filters should be ideally placed in the infrarenal caval segment to maintain renal vein outflow and thereby patency; however, in certain circumstances a suprarenal position may be required. Suprarenal filters are subject to the same risks as for infrarenal filters including tilt. While many advanced techniques have been used for infrarenal filter retrievals, there is a paucity of evidence supporting the use of these retrieval techniques in the suprarenal segment. We show a case of successful retrieval of a suprarenal filter using the Hangman technique.
Correlations between the sizes of lateral pelvic lymph nodes and metastases in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Ishihara Soichiro , Kawai Kazushige , Tanaka Toshiaki , Hata Keisuke , Nozawa Hiroaki 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundLateral pelvic lymph node (LLN) dissection is suggested to improve the prognosis of rectal cancer patients; however, accurate diagnosis of LLN metastasis is challenging, especially after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to clarify the diagnostic value of LLN size in rectal cancer patients treated with CRT in terms of metastasis.MethodsA total of 204 LLNs dissected from 29 rectal cancer patients treated with CRT were examined. The correlation between the resected LLN size (long and short axes) and patients’ metastasis status was examined.ResultsThe long axes of metastatic LLNs were significantly longer than those of non‐metastatic LLNs (11.0 ± 5.3 versus 4.4 ± 2.8 mm, respectively; P < 0.0001) as were the short axes (8.1 ± 4.5 versus 2.3 ± 1.2 mm, respectively; P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic analyses of the long and short axes indicated optimal cut‐off values of 7 and 4 mm for the prediction of pathological LLN metastasis; the area under the curve values were 0.89 and 0.96, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the long axis for the prediction of pathological metastasis were 82.4, 88.2, 82.2, 48.4 and 97.2%, respectively; those of the short axis were 91.7, 94.1, 87.1, 59.3 and 98.7%, respectively.ConclusionsThe sizes of LLNs significantly correlated with patients’ pathological statuses, and their accuracies for the prediction of pathological metastases were high. However, in contrast to the very high NPVs, the PPVs were low (approximately 50%).
The mental health of mothers and fathers during pregnancy and early parenthood after successful oocyte donation treatment: A nested case‐control study
Authors: Sälevaara Mari , Punamäki Raija‐Leena , Unkila‐Kallio Leila , Vänskä Mervi , Tulppala Maija , Tiitinen Aila 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare the mental health problems between parents after oocyte donation treatment, after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) with own gametes and after naturally conceiving (NC).Material and methodsThis is a prospective, longitudinal questionnaire study. The study group consisted of 26 oocyte donation mothers and their matched IVF/ICSI (n = 52) and NC (n = 52) controls. Matching was performed according to mother's age, parity, type of pregnancy, and number of returned questionnaires. The parents filled‐in the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐36) at gestational weeks 18‐20 (T1), and at 2 months (T2) and 12 months (T3) after the childbirth.ResultsFull response rate (T1‐T3) for oocyte donation mothers was 76.9% and for oocyte donation fathers was 73.1%. At T1, no significant differences were found between groups in depression, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, or social dysfunction, but they differed at T2 and T3 in anxiety (T2, P = .02; T3, P = .01), in sleeping difficulties (T2, P = .02; T3, P = .04) and in social dysfunction (T2, P = .01; T3, P = .04). Oocyte donation mothers showed less anxiety than NC mothers (T2, T3), and fewer sleeping difficulties and less social dysfunction than IVF/ICSI (T2, T3) and NC mothers (T2). Mental health problems of oocyte donation fathers did not differ from those of IVF/ICSI and NC control fathers at T1‐T3.ConclusionsOocyte donation mothers showed fewer mental health symptoms in early parenthood compared with IVF/ICSI and NC mothers. No differences were found among mothers during pregnancy and among fathers at any time point.
Children's Understanding of the Natural Numbers’ Structure
Authors: Asmuth Jennifer , Morson Emily M. , Rips Lance J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWhen young children attempt to locate numbers along a number line, they show logarithmic (or other compressive) placement. For example, the distance between “5” and “10” is larger than the distance between “75” and “80.” This has often been explained by assuming that children have a logarithmically scaled mental representation of number (e.g., Berteletti, Lucangeli, Piazza, Dehaene, & Zorzi, ; Siegler & Opfer, ). However, several investigators have questioned this argument (e.g., Barth & Paladino, ; Cantlon, Cordes, Libertus, & Brannon, ; Cohen & Blanc‐Goldhammer, ). We show here that children prefer linear number lines over logarithmic lines when they do not have to deal with the meanings of individual numerals (i.e., number symbols, such as “5” or “80”). In Experiments 1 and 2, when 5‐ and 6‐year‐olds choose between number lines in a forced‐choice task, they prefer linear to logarithmic and exponential displays. However, this preference does not persist when Experiment 3 presents the same lines without reference to numbers, and children simply choose which line they like best. In Experiments 4 and 5, children position beads on a number line to indicate how the integers 1–100 are arranged. The bead placement of 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds is better fit by a linear than by a logarithmic model. We argue that previous results from the number‐line task may depend on strategies specific to the task.
Survival, graft function, and incidence of allograft vasculopathy in heart transplant patients receiving adverse risk profile donor hearts
Authors: Berg Katrine , Clemmensen Tor S. , Tram Else Marie , Koefoed‐Nielsen Pernille , Ilkjær Lars B. , Poulsen Steen H. , Eiskjær Hans 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimTo clarify if use of adverse cardiovascular risk profile (ARP) grafts is associated with impaired long‐term outcomes after heart transplantation (HTx).MethodsSurvival was obtained from Scandia Transplant and a local database.ARP donor inclusion criteria≥55 years, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hypoxemia‐induced death, impaired left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. ARP donors were compared to donors not meeting the eligibility criteria. Sub‐analyses were made for donor age.ResultsIn total, 302 HTxs were performed in 296 patients from 31 December 1992 to 11 August 2016. Median survival was 16.5 years (95% CI, 14.3‐22.9), there was no difference between profiles (HR 0.63 (95% CI, 0.33‐1.19), P = 0.15). LV systolic function was significantly better in ARP donors (P < 0.05). Freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) was comparable between profiles, HR 0.9 (95% CI 0.5‐1.5). Donor age predisposes to CAV (high to low age: HR 2.8 (95% CI 1.7‐4.5), P < 0.0001). Median survival was comparable in patients receiving allograft ≥55 and <55 years (HR 0.77 (95% CI 0.4‐1.4), P = 0.38).ConclusionLong‐term survival and graft function were excellent in patients receiving ARP grafts. Older grafts were associated with CAV but did not influence survival. Thus, the strategy of expanding availability using ARP grafts seems safe.
Thiazolidinediones and reduced risk of incident bacterial abscess in adults with type 2 diabetes: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Wang Jiun‐Ling , Dong Yaa‐Hui , Ko Wen‐Chien , Chang Chia‐Hsuin , Wu Li‐Chiu , Chuang Lee‐Ming , Chen Pau‐Chung 
Published: July 2018

AimPrevious research has suggested that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPAR‐γ) may play an important role in immunomodulation. We aimed to examine the association between thiazolidinediones, PPAR‐γ agonists and incidence of bacterial abscess among patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and methodsThis retrospective cohort study between 2000 and 2010 included 46 986 propensity (PS)‐matched patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. We compared the incidence of bacterial abscess, including liver and non‐liver abscesses, between patients treated with metformin plus a thiazolidinedione (M + T, N = 7831) or metformin plus a sulfonylurea (M + S, N = 39 155). Data were retrieved from a population‐based Taiwanese database. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing M + T and M + S after PS matching.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 4.5 years, the incidence rate of bacterial abscess was lower with M + T than with M + S treatment (1.89 vs 3.15 per 1000 person‐years) in the PS‐matched cohort. M + T was associated with a reduced risk of bacterial abscess (HRs after PS matching, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42‐0.80 for total bacterial abscess; 0.54; 95% CI, 0.28‐1.07 for liver abscess; 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41‐0.85 for non‐liver abscess). Results did not change materially after accounting for unmeasured confounding factors using high‐dimenional PS matching and differential censoring between regimen groups. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, in combination with metformin, produced similar reductions in risk of all abscess outcomes.ConclusionWe found that M + T may provide a protective benefit in reducing the incidence of bacterial abscesses. These findings merit further investigation.
Propensity‐score‐matched comparative analyses of simultaneously administered fixed‐ratio insulin glargine 100 U and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) vs sequential administration of insulin glargine and lixisenatide in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
Authors: Rosenstock Julio , Handelsman Yehuda , Vidal Josep , Ampudia Blasco F. Javier , Giorgino Francesco , Liu Minzhi , Perfetti Riccardo , Meier Juris J. 
Published: July 2018

AimTo conduct two exploratory analyses to compare indirectly the efficacy and safety of simultaneous administration of insulin glargine 100 U (iGlar) and the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1RA) lixisenatide (Lixi) as a single‐pen, titratable, fixed‐ratio combination (iGlarLixi [LixiLan trials]) vs sequential administration of iGlar + Lixi (GetGoal Duo trials) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Materials and MethodsPropensity‐score matching based on baseline covariates was used to compare simultaneous iGlarLixi vs sequential combination of iGlar + Lixi with the addition of Lixi in patients who did not reach the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) goal of <53 mmol/mol (<7%) after short‐term use of iGlar alone (LixiLan‐O vs GetGoal Duo‐1 comparison) and vs sequential addition of Lixi in uncontrolled patients after long‐term use of iGlar alone (LixiLan‐L vs GetGoal Duo‐2 comparison).ResultsIn both analyses, compared with sequential iGlar + Lixi, iGlarLixi led to significantly greater HbA1c reductions with associated weight loss and significantly more patients reaching target HbA1c <53 mmol/mol despite lower insulin doses. Symptomatic hypoglycaemia rates were similar, despite greater HbA1c reductions with iGlarLixi. Lower rates of gastrointestinal adverse events were observed with iGlarLixi, probably as a result of the more gradual titration of Lixi with iGlarLixi.ConclusionsIndirect propensity‐score‐matched exploratory comparisons suggest that early treatment with a simultaneous, titratable, fixed‐ratio combination of basal insulin and a GLP‐1RA (iGlarLixi) may be more effective and possess better gastrointestinal tolerability than a sequential approach of adding a GLP‐1RA in patients with uncontrolled T2D initiating or intensifying basal insulin therapy.
Persistence of oral antidiabetic treatment for type 2 diabetes characterized by drug class, patient characteristics and severity of renal impairment: A Japanese database analysis
Authors: Kadowaki Takashi , Sarai Nobuaki , Hirakawa Takeshi , Taki Kentaro , Iwasaki Kosuke , Urushihara Hisashi 
Published: July 2018

AimTo evaluate the persistence with oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) treatment characterized by drug class, patient characteristics and severity of renal impairment (RI) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Japan.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective, observational study extracted data from a large‐scale hospital database (April 2008 to September 2016). Patients with T2DM aged ≥40 years on the day of their first prescription (index date) of any OAD (biguanides [BGs], thiazolidinediones [TZDs], sulphonylureas [SUs], glinides, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 [DPP‐4] inhibitors, or α‐glucosidase inhibitors [α‐GIs]) available between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2016 were identified. Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors were not available at study initiation. Treatment persistence was assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Patients were also categorized by RI status using estimated glomerular filtration rate: ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G1); 60 to <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G2); 30 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G3); and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G4+).ResultsWe identified 206 406 index dates from 162 116 eligible patients. The largest number of index dates (91634) was observed for DPP‐4 inhibitors, followed by BGs, SUs, α‐GIs, glinides and TZDs. Treatment persistence was longest for DPP‐4 inhibitors (median 17.0 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.4‐17.5) and BGs (median 17.3 months, 95% CI 16.6‐18.2), and shortest for α‐GIs (median 5.6 months, 95% CI 5.4‐5.9) and SUs (median 4.3 months, 95% CI 4.2‐4.6). Persistence was longest with DPP‐4 inhibitors at all RI stages (G1–G4+), followed by BGs at stages G1/G2.ConclusionsThe longest OAD persistence was observed for BGs and DPP‐4 inhibitors at RI stages G1/G2, and for DPP‐4 inhibitors at RI stages G3/G4+.
African school of thought: The missing ideology in finding a solution to sub‐Saharan African insecurity
Authors: Senu Oluwafemi , Daranijoh Folarin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPost‐colonial sub‐Saharan Africa continually experiences a collapse of consensual democracy as an ideology and system of governance. Poverty, greed and corruption have bred political instability, conflicts and dependence on exporting primary products. For post‐colonial Africa to feel truly independent, its adoption of consensual democracy needs to be sincere. Ideological theories, the epistemological origins of development programmes, and the philosophy of choice cherished in consensual democracy have been overlooked in current African political cultures, which habitually disregard grassroots voices. Using the Department for International Development's Research Strategy (2008–2013), the article explores how ideological functions transcend the political cultures, underdevelopment and insecurities of sub‐Saharan Africa. It is hoped that the possibility of sustainable development may be enhanced by the inclusion of an African school of thought.
Notched fatigue testing of Inconel 718 prepared by selective laser melting
Authors: Witkin D.B. , Patel D.N. , Bean G.E. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSelective laser melting (SLM) was used to prepare notched high‐cycle fatigue test specimens made from nickel‐based superalloy Inconel 718. Samples were designed to have 1 of 3 different notch geometries, including V notches with Kt of 2.2 or 3.1, a U notch with Kt of 2.0, and were printed in either vertical or horizontal orientations. Samples were tested with as‐printed dimensions and surfaces after heat treatment, but a separate set of SLM samples were printed as plates and machined to final dimensions comporting to the V‐notch specimen with Kt = 3.1. High‐cycle fatigue testing showed that machined SLM specimens behaved similar to wrought Inconel 718 plate specimens, but testing with as‐produced surfaces led to a decrease in fatigue life. The explanation for this difference is based on approximations of linear elastic fracture mechanics solutions for short cracks emanating from notch roots, with intrinsic surface features of SLM materials serving as the cracks. Analysis of the actual notch geometries after SLM fabrication indicates that stress intensity in the presence of these features plays a prominent role in determining number of cycles before fatigue crack initiation and propagation occurs.