bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is the high performance organization framework applicable to Takaful insurance companies?
Authors: Mroueh Meerna , de Waal André 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
Islamic finance is an interesting field of research, as it represents an alternative to conventional finance for Muslims. It is a way of conducting finance based on the principles of Islam and prohibition of interest. Islamic finance can be divided into two areas: Islamic banking and Islamic insurance (Takaful). This paper aims to describe a research study on the applicability of the high-performance organization (HPO) framework on Takaful insurance companies and whether it can improve their performance in a sustainable way.

Design/methodology/approach
The factors and characteristics of the HPO framework are theoretically matched with the characteristics of the Takaful industry for evaluating whether these reinforce or weaken each other. The outcome of this matching process gives an indication of whether it is easier or more difficult for Takaful insurance companies, compared with conventional companies, to apply the HPO framework and transform themselves into HPOs.

Findings
It can be theoretically expected that, out of 35 HPO characteristics, 10 will be easier to strengthen in Takaful organizations compared with conventional organizations and 9 will be more difficult, and for 16 characteristics, there will be no difference. These results suggest that, most likely, it does not make a difference whether UAE Takaful organizations or conventional organizations implement the HPO framework, they will probably need roughly the same amount of effort to make a successful transition.

Research limitations/implications
In a follow-up study, the HPO framework will be applied at several Takaful insurance companies to evaluate the operation of the framework in practice.

Originality value
To date, no studies of the HPO framework and HPOs have been conducted at Takaful insurance companies in the UAE. Thus, by theoretically matching the HPO framework with Takaful organizations, the study fills a gap in the management literature regarding high-performance improvement techniques for Takaful organizations.
Ratify and comply: a pathway for Japan to follow the FATF recommendation 35
Authors: Matsuoka Akira 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
To identify the reason of Japan not complying with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendation 35 and suggesting a strategic solution to overcoming the barrier.

Design/methodology/approach
Through contextual, historical, and legal analysis of the anti-money laundering (AML) measures in Japan.

Findings
This paper implies that less flexible mindsets in stone of major players in the field of AML measures in Japan are the fundamental barrier for Japan not complying with the FATF Recommendation 35, while this paper suggests better realistic ways to address the barrier.

Originality/value
The novel point of this paper is that this paper illustriously uncovers the mindsets of the major players pertaining to the Japanese AML measures in a very illustrative way, points out the underlying true barrier, and describes a useful strategy desperately needed to address the barrier.
The cost of debt and the characteristics of audit firms
Authors: Woo Yong-Sang , Kang Minjung , Lee Ho-Young 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
Audit firm bankruptcy can have significant negative impacts on the stock prices of client firms. The purpose of this paper is to identify determinants of audit firm bankruptcy risk as measured by costs of debt.

Design/methodology/approach
Using audit firm data publicly available in Korea, this study empirically examines whether client portfolio, financial, and organizational characteristics are associated with the weighted average interest rates assumed by auditors.

Findings
The authors find empirical evidence that audit firms’ client portfolio characteristics, including the incidence (or number) of lawsuits against the auditor, the proportion of audit clients under surveillance, the proportion of initial audit engagements, and the proportion of listed companies of audit clients, are positively associated with the cost of debt. The authors also find several financial and organizational characteristics associated with the cost of debt.

Practical implications
The findings of this study suggest that client portfolio characteristics as well as financial and organizational characteristics are important determinants of the cost of debt in audit firms, and that these characteristics are different from those of firms in other industries. Identifying the determinants of audit firms’ cost of debt provides insight to regulators, client firms, and capital market participants.

Originality/value
This study examines the default risk of audit firms that play an important monitoring role in capital markets. By utilizing unique data about audit firms available in Korea, this study is the first study to empirically examine the effect of detailed audit firm characteristics on audit firm’s default risk.
Vocabulary intervention for adolescents with language disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Lowe Hilary , Henry Lucy , Müller Lisa‐Maria , Joffe Victoria L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundLanguage disorder and associated vocabulary difficulties can persist into adolescence, and can impact on long‐term life outcomes. Previous reviews have shown that a variety of intervention techniques can successfully enhance students’ vocabulary skills; however, none has investigated vocabulary intervention specifically for adolescents with language disorder.AimsTo carry out a systematic review of the literature on vocabulary interventions for adolescents with language disorder.Methods & ProceduresA systematic search of 14 databases and other sources yielded 1320 studies, of which 13 met inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were: intervention effectiveness studies with a focus on enhancing oral receptive and/or expressive vocabulary skills in the study's aims; participants in the age range 11;0–16;11 with receptive and/or expressive language difficulties of any aetiology.Main ContributionThere was a high degree of diversity between studies. Types of intervention included: semantic intervention (four studies); comparison of phonological versus semantic intervention (two); and combined phonological–semantic intervention (seven). The strongest evidence for effectiveness was found with a combined phonological–semantic approach. The evidence suggested a potential for all models of delivery to be helpful (individual, small group and whole class).Conclusions & ImplicationsTentative evidence is emerging for the effectiveness of a phonological–semantic approach in enhancing the vocabulary skills of adolescents who have language disorder. Future research needs to refine and develop the methodologies used in this diverse group of studies in order to replicate their findings and to build consensus.
Employers' recruitment of disadvantaged groups: exploring the effect of active labour market programme agencies as labour market intermediaries
Authors: Ingold Jo , Valizade Danat 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis article draws on an original comparative survey of employers in the UK and Denmark to analyse the role of active labour market programmes (ALMPs) in employers' recruitment of disadvantaged groups. Using the framework of Bonet et al. to conceptualise agencies delivering ALMPs as labour market intermediaries (LMIs), the effect of ALMPs on employers' recruitment was tested against organisational factors involving firm size and selection criteria. Although ALMPs marginally increased employers' probability of recruiting the long‐term unemployed in both countries and lone parents in Denmark, their effect was negligible compared with firm size and employers' selection criteria. While ALMP agencies have the potential to increase employers' recruitment of disadvantaged groups, this is constrained when they act as basic ‘information provider’ LMIs. ALMP agencies' inability to act effectively as ‘matchmaker’ LMIs leads to a failure to overcome rigid intra‐organisational barriers to such recruitment.
Evaluation of microtitre plate‐based Haemoglobin estimation
Authors: Shah A. P. , Patel P. T. , Patel B. P. , Mishra K. K. , Ghosh K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntroductionHaemoglobin estimation is one of the most important clinical investigations. Many techniques are available to measure haemoglobin; still there is a need for a haemoglobin assay technique which is cheap, robust and simple and can be used in field conditions very quickly using figure prick sample. We evaluated a cyanmethaemoglobin‐based haemoglobin estimation using a microtitre plates for the purpose.MethodsMicrotitre plate‐based haemoglobin estimation was developed using cyanmethaemoglobin‐based assay and was compared with standard haematology analyser‐based haemoglobin estimation in a large number of samples from a population of voluntary blood donors. Various tests were performed to evaluate the stability of colour, variation of the results during duplicate assay on the same days and on different days as well as linearity of the test was performed against broad range of haemoglobin values for the new microtitre plate‐based technique. Standard statistical test of significance was applied to validate the assay.ResultsTotal 200 samples from in‐house and field conditions were evaluated. 10 μL blood sample in 300 μL Drabkin's solution provided optimum and comparable results after 10 minutes of incubation. The colour was stable up to 6 hours, the coefficient of variation was less than 3%, and the cost per test including everything was less than 3 cent/2P. Turnaround time for 90 samples was only 30 minutes.ConclusionCyanmethaemoglobin‐based assay in microtitre plate is feasible, robust, rapid, cheap and cost‐effective method for haemoglobin estimation in field conditions.
The Multiple Meanings of Familialism
Authors: Polletta Francesca 
Published: November 2017

The notion that families should care for their own seems straightforward in its meaning. I suggest that it may not be. Building on the argument advanced in Sandra Levitsky's Caring for Our Own, and especially its focus on the discursive shaping of rights consciousness, I draw attention to three discourses that may be responsible for how the caregivers quoted in the book understand family responsibility. One is an American discourse about the limits of government; one is a therapeutic discourse that is enacted in the support groups from which the book's respondents mainly come; and one is a nativist discourse that pits the American-born against newcomers. I argue that these discourses inflect the meaning of family responsibility in distinctive ways.
Optimal number of multiple rapid swallows needed during high‐resolution esophageal manometry for accurate prediction of contraction reserve
Authors: Mauro A. , Savarino E. , De Bortoli N. , Tolone S. , Pugliese D. , Franchina M. , Gyawali C. P. , Penagini R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundMultiple rapid swallows (MRS) is a provocative test for assessment of contraction reserve, however reproducibility on repetitive MRS is incompletely understood. Our aim was to determine the optimal number of MRS sequences for consistent assessment of contraction reserve.MethodsOne hundred and fifty‐nine consecutive patients (79 IEM and 80 normal motility) who underwent high‐resolution manometers were enrolled. Ten single swallows (SS) and 10 MRS were performed. Gold standard for evaluation of the contraction reserve was the ratio between the mean DCI of 10 MRS and the mean DCI of 10 SS (MRS/SS DCI ratio). Rates of false negatives and false positives were calculated for increasing numbers of MRS sequences, using either mean DCI or the MRS with the highest DCI.Key ResultsAccording to the gold standard, 50 IEM and 50 normal motility patients had contraction reserve. With progressively increasing numbers of MRS sequences, contraction reserve was detected using mean MRS DCI within three and four MRS sequences in IEM and normal motility respectively, whereas two and three MRS sequences were needed using the MRS sequence with the highest DCI. False positives were much higher with highest DCI method compared with mean DCI, (22% vs 9% respectively in IEM; 24% vs 9% in normal motility) when three MRS sequences were considered.Conclusions & InferencesAt least three MRS are needed to reliably assess contraction reserve. The mean DCI of the three MRS sequences is the best variable to utilize as evidence of contraction reserve.
Accuracy and bias in newlywed spouses' perceptions of each other's personalities
Authors: WOOD WENDY I. , OLDHAM C. REBECCA , REIFMAN ALAN , NIEHUIS SYLVIA 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study investigated moderators of newlywed spouses' accuracy in judging each other's personality. Spouses in 154 predominantly Hispanic newlywed couples rated their own and their partners' personality traits. Full‐sample results showed significant associations between perceivers' and targets' personality ratings (“truth force”/“tracking accuracy”). Positive directional bias (perceivers' mean trait ratings of targets exceeding targets' self‐ratings) also was evident. Positive directional bias occurred when perceivers had little familiarity with their spouse prior to dating and when perceivers had high self‐esteem. Truth force/tracking accuracy increased with less time spent cohabiting and higher perceiver self‐esteem. Positive associations between perceivers' self‐esteem and ratings of partners on positively valenced traits were reduced when partners had had greater opportunities to observe one another's behaviors.
The health of the homeless
Authors: Donley Amy M. , Wright James D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStudies of homelessness and health date back to at least the 1970s. The current paper presents a summary on the state of the literature on homelessness and health since the onset of Housing First initiatives. Housing First initiatives represent a change in the previously used model used by social services providers and government agencies from recovery first to housing first, a recognition that homeless people should be housed before contending with other issues such as mental health treatment. Since this time, researchers have pushed research inquiry into areas that were only touched on lightly before. These new areas of research fall generally into that categories of access and utilization, newer demographics, and emerging health concerns. Each of these areas is thoroughly reviewed in the paper. Despite Housing First legislation, homelessness continues to threaten the health of the urban population and will continue to do so as long as it is allowed to persist.
Failure to initiate HIV treatment in patients with high CD4 counts: evidence from demographic surveillance in rural South Africa
Authors: Bor Jacob , Chiu Calvin , Ahmed Shahira , Katz Ingrid , Fox Matthew P. , Rosen Sydney , Yapa Manisha , Tanser Frank , Pillay Deenan , Bärnighausen Till 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the relationship between CD4 count at presentation and ART uptake and assess predictors of timely treatment initiation in rural KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa.MethodsWe used Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazards models to assess the association between first CD4 count and time from first CD4 to ART initiation among all adults presenting to the Hlabisa HIV Treatment and Care Programme between August 2011 and December 2012 with treatment‐eligible CD4 counts (≤ 350 cells/mm3). For a subset of healthier patients (200 < CD4 ≤ 350 cells) residing within the population surveillance of the Africa Health Research Institute, we assessed sociodemographic, economic and geographic predictors hypothesised to influence ART uptake.ResultsA total of 4739 patients presented for care with eligible CD4 counts. The proportion initiating ART within six months of diagnosis was 67% (95% CI 63, 71) in patients with CD4 ≤ 50, 59% (0.55, 0.63) in patients with CD4 151–200 and 48% (95% CI 44, 51) in patients with CD4 301–350. The hazard of starting ART fell by 17% (95% CI 14, 20) for every 100‐cell increase in baseline CD4 count. Among healthier patients under demographic surveillance (n = 193), observable sociodemographic, economic and geographic predictors did not add discriminatory power beyond CD4 count, age and sex to identify patients at high risk of non‐initiation.ConclusionsIndividuals presenting for HIV care at higher CD4 counts were less likely to initiate ART than patients presenting at low CD4 counts. Overall, ART uptake was low. Under new guidelines that establish ART eligibility regardless of CD4 count, patients with high CD4 counts may require additional interventions to encourage treatment initiation.
Numerical approach for solving time fractional diffusion equation
Authors: Altan Koç Dilara , Gülsu Mustafa 
Published: November 2017

In this article one of the fractional partial differential equations was solved by finite difference scheme based on five point and three point central space method with discretization in time. We use between the Caputo and the Riemann-Liouville derivative definition and the Grünwald-Letnikov operator for the fractional calculus. The stability analysis of this scheme is examined by using von-Neumann method. A comparison between exact solutions and numerical solutions is made. Some figures and tables are included.
An analysis of redactions in Canada’s Common Drug Review Clinical Review Reports and how they relate to the patients’ voice
Authors: Soprovich Allison , El Kurdi Sylvia , Eurich Dean T 
Published: November 2017

ImportanceCanada’s Common Drug Review (CDR) evaluates drug data from published and unpublished research, as well as input from patient groups, to recommend provincial coverage. Currently, the CDR process gives manufacturers the opportunity to redact information in the final publicly available report. Patients often have strong feelings regarding the efficacy, harms, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and cost associated with the drugs under review and their redacted data. Highlighting Canada’s approach will hopefully build on the growing international concern regarding transparency of clinical study data.ObjectiveThe purpose was to objectively examine and classify completed, publicly available CDR-Clinical Review Reports (CRR) for redactions, and compare them to the patients’ reported interests as patient-centred outcomes.MethodsTwo independent reviewers searched for and examined publicly available CDR-CRR from November 2013-September 2016 through the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) on-line database. Both reviewers separately classified the redactions and patient-reported interests into the following categories: efficacy, harms, HRQL and costs. All discrepancies were rectified by consensus involving a third reviewer.ResultsFifty-two completed CDR-CRR were reviewed. 48 (92%) included patient-reported interests and 40 (77%) had redactions classified in the following categories: efficacy (75%), costs (48%), harms (38%), HRQL (23%). 89% of redactions were outcomes identified as patient-reported interests (69% efficacy, 42% harms, 36% cost, 33% HRQL). When examining drug characteristics, biological agents were statistically associated with increased odds of redactions with respect to either efficacy (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 11.6) or harms (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.02 to 12.4) compared with non-biological agents.ConclusionsWhether data from the CDR-CRR used in the decision-making should be fully disclosed to the public is controversial. Our findings suggest clinical data (efficacy, harms, HRQL) matters to patients and should be publicly available within the CDR-CRR. Canada trails Europe and the USA regarding the transparency of clinical study data. This lack of transparency relates to the patient voice, and limits movement towards patient-centred care and patient-engaged research, restricting real-world value measurement.
Long-Term Outcomes of Ischemic Stroke of Undetermined Mechanism: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort
Authors: Morovatdar Negar , Thrift Amanda G. , Kapral Moira K. , Behrouz Réza , Saber Hamidreza , Amiri Amin , Farzadfard Mohammad Taghi , Mokhber Naghmeh , Stranges Saverio , Azarpazhooh Mahmoud Reza  
Published: November 2017

<b><i>Background and Purpose:</i></b> Little is known about the short- and long-term outcomes of ischemic stroke of undetermined mechanism (ISUM). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Subjects were recruited from the Mashhad Stroke Incidence Study. Ischemic stroke (IS) was classified on the basis of the TOAST criteria. We further categorized patients with ISUM into ISUM<sub>neg</sub> (negative clinical/test results for large artery, small artery) and ISUM<sub>inc</sub> (incomplete investigations). Cox proportional hazard models and the competing-risk regression model were used to compare 1 and 5 years mortality (all-causes) and recurrent rate among IS subtypes. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, 1-year mortality was higher in those with ISUM<sub>inc</sub> than in ISUM<sub>neg</sub> (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.6, 95% CI 1.01–2.8; <i>p</i> = 0.04) and in other stroke subtypes. Cardioembolic stroke was associated with the greatest risk of stroke recurrence at one year (aHR 4.9, 95% CI 1.8–12.9; <i>p</i> = 0.001) and 5 years (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.7; <i>p</i> = 0.01) as compared to ISUM<sub>neg</sub>. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The classification of ISUM as a single group may lead to over- or underestimation of mortality and recurrence in this major category of IS. A better definition of ISUM is necessary to predict death and recurrence accurately.
Age-Period-Cohort Modeling of Multiple Sclerosis Incidence Rates in Kuwait: 1980–2014
Authors: Akhtar Saeed , Al-Abkal Jarrah , Al-Hashel Jasem Y. , Alroughani Raed 
Published: November 2017

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system with undefined etiology. Genetic predisposition and environmental factors play an imperative role in MS causation and its sustained increasing burden worldwide. This study examined the age, period, and cohort effects on MS incidence rates in Kuwait. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this retrospective cohort study, data on MS cases diagnosed between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 2014 and registered in National MS Registry and reference population were obtained. Age-period-cohort (APC) analysis was conducted using a loglinear Poisson regression model to supplement the descriptive and graphical presentation. Descriptive statistics were complemented with APC parameters’ estimates including net drift, local drift, age at onset curve, and longitudinal age trend. Age effect was presented as incidence rates (per 10<sup>5</sup> person-years), whereas period and cohort effects were presented as adjusted relative rates. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 1,131 cases were diagnosed in 1,385,923 person-years. Overall age-standardized MS incidence rate was 64.5 (95% CI 52.4–79.8). An estimated annual percentage change revealed 7.4% annual increase in MS incidence rate during the study period (Net drift = 7.4%; 95% CI 4.1–10.8%). APC “fitted” age-at-onset curve showed a bimodal pattern with peaked incidence rates at 20–24 years and 45–49 years of age. Compared with the referent period (1980–1984) and cohort (1970–1974), MS incidence rates progressively and significantly (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) increased during subsequent time periods and in successive cohorts. Results of APC analysis are descriptive in nature and specific etiological hypotheses were not evaluated. However, the findings of this study substantiated the notion of multiplicity of genetic and/or environmental risk factors’ contributions. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A substantial increase in MS incidence rates was recorded, which significantly varied in all 3 temporal dimensions during the study period. Future studies may contemplate biological basis for recorded temporal increase in MS risk.