bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A European empirical study of the relationship between firms’ intellectual capital, financial performance and market value
Authors: Sardo Filipe , Serrasqueiro Zélia 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between firms’ intellectual capital (IC), financial performance (FP) and market value (MV) as well as the relationship between ownership concentrations on IC performance.

Design/methodology/approach
A large sample of non-financial listed firms belonging to 14 countries in Western Europe, for the period between 2004 and 2015, was investigated using the GMM system (1998) dynamic estimator and the effect of lagged explanatory variables on firm’s FP and MV.

Findings
The results reveal that IC is an important resource for firms’ value creation. Human capital is found to be a key factor of firms’ wealth. Results show that capital employed efficiency positively impacts on firms’ FP in the short run. The impact of IC components on firms’ MV may not be immediate. The structural capital positively affects firms’ FP in the long run. Also, the results reveal that ownership concentration and owners’ management involvement constrain firms’ IC performance.

Originality/value
The current study contributes to IC research by exploring a large sample of firms across countries in Western Europe using econometric modeling. Considering that the effect of IC on firms’ FP needs time to be realized, thus to be measured, the effect of lagged explanatory variables on performance was tested, using dynamic panel estimators, specifically the GMM system (1998) dynamic estimator.
Engineering students and faculty perceptions of academic dishonesty
Authors: Tabsh Sami W. , Abdelfatah Akmal S. , El Kadi Hany A. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to survey students and faculty from the College of Engineering at an American university in the United Arab Emirates about their perception on different issues related to academic dishonesty. Opinions were sought on plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration, cheating on exams, copyright violations and complicity in academic dishonesty. Reasons for students to commit dishonest acts and ways to reduce academic misconduct were also included.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey involving 11 questions with multiple choice answers was developed and distributed to engineering students and faculty at the institution to get their perception of the considered issues.

Findings
Results of the study showed that while faculty and students were generally in agreement in their perception of the frequency of academic dishonesty among students, they greatly differed on the courses of action needed to reduce them. Most faculty members favored applying tougher penalties and using more proctors in exams. On the other hand, students preferred softer approaches such as educating them on academic integrity issues, applying lenient deadlines for assignments and reducing the difficulty of exams.

Research limitations/implications
The conclusions and recommendations of the study are applicable to colleges of higher education having similar characteristics and culture to the surveyed institution.

Practical implications
The findings can be used to understand students’ behavior and faculty’s attitude toward academic dishonesty, and to assess the effectiveness of current strategies addressing the issue at similar universities in the region.

Originality/value
The conducted literature review indicated that this work is believed to be a pioneering case study in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Student’s perceptions of quality learning in a Malaysian university – a mixed method approach
Authors: Choy S. Chee , Yim Joanne Sau-Ching , Tan Poh Leong 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to examine students’ perceptions of quality learning using a mixed-methods approach in a Malaysian university, with an aim to fill existing knowledge gaps in the literature on relationships among relevant quality variables. The study also assesses the extent to which detailed results from a few participants can be generalised to a larger sample from the population.

Design/methodology/approach
A sequential, mixed-methods approach was used to obtain a more meaningful and balanced analysis of the data. In total, 12 students were purposively selected and interviewed in Phase 1, to gain insights into their perceptions of quality learning at a selected university. The results of the qualitative analysis were used to develop hypotheses for a quantitative survey of 1,490 students in Phase 2. The samples consisted of students enrolled in full-time bachelor’s degree programmes. The survey data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to confirm a series of hypotheses about pathways of influence of key quality constructs.

Findings
The results of the study showed strong positive relationships between student perceptions of learning outcomes, curriculum, instructional delivery and support, learning environment and quality learning. The overall findings suggest that the influences of these quality variables on the perceived quality of learning experiences of students may be complex.

Practical implications
All Malaysian higher education providers are currently concerned with providing high-quality education that caters to students’ needs. The results generate useful evidence for governors, administrators and other stakeholders regarding the students’ perceptions of quality learning. The results provide insights for supporting diverse students served by these providers.

Originality/value
The sequential, mixed-methods research design of the study contributed a rich contextual description of students’ perceptions of quality learning. It also fills the knowledge gap mentioned.
Vocal and gestural productions of 24‐month‐old children with sex chromosome trisomies
Authors: Zampini Laura , Draghi Lara , Silibello Gaia , Dall'Ara Francesca , Rigamonti Claudia , Suttora Chiara , Zanchi Paola , Salerni Nicoletta , Lalatta Faustina , Vizziello Paola 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundChildren with sex chromosome trisomies (SCT) frequently show problems in language development. However, a clear description of the communicative patterns of these children is still lacking.AimsTo describe the first stages of language development in children with SCT in comparison with those in typically developing (TD) children. The purpose was to verify the existence of possible differences in communicative skills (in both vocal and gestural modality) and identify the presence of possible early predictors (i.e., low vocabulary size and low gesture production) of later language impairment in children with SCT.Methods & ProceduresFifteen 24‐month‐old children with SCT (eight males with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and seven females with triple X syndrome (TX)) and fifteen 24‐month‐old TD children (eight males and seven females) participated in the study. Their spontaneous communicative productions were assessed during a semi‐structured play session in interaction with a parent. In addition, their vocabulary size was assessed using a parental report (the Italian version of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories).Outcomes & ResultsWith regards to their vocabulary size, 60% of children with SCT (75% of children with KS and 43% of children with TX) were at risk for language impairments (i.e., they had a vocabulary size smaller than 50 words). In addition, TD children showed better lexical and syntactic skills than children with SCT in their spontaneous communicative productions. However, the production of communicative gestures was higher in children with SCT than in TD children. Boys with KS appeared to differ from TD males in more aspects of communication than girls with TX differed from TD females.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe study showed the importance of early detection of language risk factors in children with SCT, while also considering the use of compensatory strategies (e.g., the use of communicative gestures).
Too Big, Too Small, or Just Right? Cost‐Efficiency of Environmental Inspection Services in Connecticut
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey P. , Checko Patricia J. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveTo assess optimal activity size/mix of Connecticut local public health jurisdictions, through estimating economies of scale/scope/specialization for environmental inspections/services.Data Sources/Study SettingConnecticut's 74 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) must provide environmental health services, but their efficiency or reasons for wide cost variation are unknown. The public health system is decentralized, with variation in organizational structure/size. We develop/compile a longitudinal dataset covering all 74 LHJs, annually from 2005 to 2012.Study DesignWe estimate a public health services/inspections cost function, where inputs are translated into outputs. We consider separate estimates of economies of scale/scope/specialization for four mandated inspection types.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe obtain data from Connecticut Department of Public Health databases, reports, and other publicly available sources. There has been no known previous utilization of this combined dataset.Principal FindingsOn average, regional districts, municipal departments, and part‐time LHJs are performing fewer than the efficient number of inspections. The full‐time municipal departments and regional districts are more efficient but still not at the minimum efficient scale. The regional districts' elasticities of scale are larger, implying they are more efficient than municipal health departments.ConclusionsLocal health jurisdictions may enhance efficiency by increasing inspections and/or sharing some services.
High‐dose palliative radiotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Foroudi Farshad , Smith Jennifer G , Putt Faye , Wada Morikatsu 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionHigh‐dose radiotherapy to the hemithorax for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma is a controversial treatment. Between 2003 and 2013 our institution had a policy of giving hemithoracic radiotherapy to at least 45 Gy. This retrospective study reports survival, progression and toxicity associated with this policy.MethodsSeventy‐one patients with pleural mesothelioma were irradiated with doses of 45–60 Gy. Conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT) to the lower hemithorax was used for 17 and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to the whole hemithorax for 54 patients. All patients have been followed up for at least 2 years from commencement of radiotherapy.ResultsSixty‐four patients (90%) completed planned radiotherapy and seven stopped early, usually due to progressive disease. Median overall survival was 9.5 months (95% CI: 7.7–12.4) and median progression‐free survival was 4.9 months (95% CI: 4.4–5.8). Eighty‐seven per cent of patients progressed or died within 2 years: 25% in‐field, 49% outside the RT field and 13% died without progression. Severe toxicity (grade 3–5) was observed in 53% of 3D‐CRT and 78% of IMRT patients, most commonly pulmonary fibrosis 27%, radiation dermatitis 18%, dyspnoea 11%, GGT increased 11%, pneumonitis 10%, pleuritic pain 8% and fatigue 8%. There were two, possibly three, treatment‐related deaths.ConclusionHigh‐dose radiotherapy to the hemithorax caused significant toxicity to most patients with no improvement in survival. Lower doses of radiotherapy to limited volumes may be useful for palliative purposes.
Digestibility of common reed (Pharagmites communis Trin.) silage as ruminant feed and effects of inclusion levels in the diet of breeding cows on feed intake, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites
Authors: Asano Keigo , Ishikawa Takahiro , Ishida Motohiko 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTo examine the digestibility of common reed (Pharagmites communis Trin.) silage and effects of inclusion levels in the diet of breeding cows on nutrient intakes, ruminal fermentation and nutrient status, two digestion trials using four sheep and cows, respectively, at the maintenance stage were conducted. In the trial using sheep, common reed silage contained 20% crude protein (CP) and 50% total digestible nutrients (TDN) on a dry matter basis. In the trial using cows, treatments were the control (92.4% Sudangrass hay and 7.6% soybean meal) and CS25, CS50 and CS80 (replacing 25%, 50%, and 80% of the control with silage, respectively). The intake and sufficiency rate of CP increased by increasing the silage level in the diet (P < 0.05), and the CP requirements of cows at maintenance was satisfied in CS80. In contrast, the sufficiency rate of TDN decreased in CS80, although it was 99.8%. Ruminal pH and NH3‐N concentration changed among the treatments (P < 0.05); however, the blood metabolites were not affected by silage. The results indicated that including common reed silage of up to 80% in the diet of breeding cows was possible and did not have adverse effects on the blood metabolites.
Sacral neuromodulation for combined faecal and urinary incontinence following obstetric anal sphincter injury
Authors: Rydningen M. B. , Riise S. , Wilsgaard T. , Lindsetmo R. O. , Norderval S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in the treatment of faecal incontinence and concomitant urinary incontinence in women with a history of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS).MethodIn this prospective study, consecutive women with faecal incontinence following OASIS accepted for SNM were screened for concomitant urinary incontinence. The primary outcome was the change in urinary incontinence score on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence, Short Form (ICIQ‐UI‐SF), between baseline and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the change in St Mark's score, sexual function and quality of life, change in grade of urinary incontinence and disappearance of urgency.ResultsFrom March 2012 to September 2014, 39 women with combined faecal incontinence and urinary incontinence received SNM. Thirty‐seven women were available for analysis after 12 months. The mean reduction in the ICIQ‐UI‐SF score between the baseline and 12 months was 5.8 (95% CI 3.7–8.0, P < 0.001). ICIQ‐UI‐SF was reduced in 29 (78%) women, urinary incontinence resolved in 13/37 (35%, 95% CI 20%–50%) patients, and urgency disappeared in 14/33 (42%, 95% CI 26%–59%). The mean reduction in the St Mark's score was 10.6 (95% CI 8.6–12.7, P < 0.001). Disease‐specific quality of life, Euroqual 5‐dimension visual analogue scale (EQ‐5D VAS) and several areas of sexual function changed significantly for the better.ConclusionMore than three‐quarters of the women with combined faecal and urinary incontinence following OASIS reported a successful outcome with reduction in ICIQ‐UI‐SF at 12 months after SNM.
Systemic treatment for sarcoidosis was needed for 16% of 1810 Caucasian patients
Authors: Martusewicz‐Boros Magdalena M. , Boros Piotr W. , Wiatr Elżbieta , Fijołek Justyna , Roszkowski‐Śliż Kazimierz 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroduction and objectiveSarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease predominantly affecting the lungs, although granulomas can also involve all other organs. Fortunately, it is often a self‐limiting disease and aggressive treatment is not indicated in majority of cases. However, treatment is recommended when critical organs are affected or the disease is progressive. So far, there is lack of reliable information regarding the frequency of treatment in Caucasian population or data are discordant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of systemic immune‐modulating treatment in a large cohort of sarcoidosis patients.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of patients discharged from our institution with the final diagnosis ‘sarcoidosis’ (ICD‐10: D86) from January 2010 to December 2013.Results1810 sarcoidosis patients were hospitalized during these four years, 47.6% were females, mean age was 43.5 ± 12.2 years. The majority (80.6%) were discharged as pulmonary and/or lymph node sarcoidosis (D86.0, D86.1, D86.2). Only 281 (15.5%) patients were discharged with systemic treatment, 60.1% of them were men (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1‐1.9, P = .0047). The 44.8% of patients who had sarcoidosis also involving an organ other than the lungs (D86.8) were much more likely to be treated: OR 5.6; 95% CI: 4.2‐7.4, P < .0001). Older age (>50) was also identified as a risk factor for treatment (odds ratio: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5‐2.4).ConclusionsLess than 16% sarcoidosis patients required systemic treatment. Older men with multiorgan sarcoidosis were more likely to be treated.
Barriers to globally invasive species are weakening across the Antarctic
Authors: Duffy Grant A. , Coetzee Bernard W. T. , Latombe Guillaume , Akerman Alexander H. , McGeoch Melodie A. , Chown Steven L. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimBiological invasions are a substantial threat to Antarctic biodiversity and a priority conservation policy focus for Antarctic Treaty Parties and the sovereign states of surrounding islands. Key to their strategies is prevention, including assessment of establishment risk for alien species. Despite establishment of some of the worst globally invasive species across the Antarctic region, assessments of establishment potential of these species are non‐existent. Here, we address this deficit and determine whether these invasive species constitute a significant conservation threat to the broader Antarctic region both now and in response to future regional climate change.LocationAntarctica and the Southern Ocean islands (45°–90° S).MethodsWe used ensemble species distribution models to assess the current and future climate suitability of the Antarctic region for 69 of the worst globally invasive species and 24 insect and plant species that have already established somewhere in the region.ResultsThe Antarctic continent is unsuitable for all of the worst globally invasive species under current conditions, but areas of the Antarctic Peninsula are predicted to become climatically suitable for up to six globally invasive species within the next century. By contrast, all Southern Ocean islands are presently climatically suitable for additional non‐native species, with the threat increasing in the future.Main conclusionsOur findings demonstrate that climate, which is often cited as a key barrier to alien species establishment, may afford some protection to continental Antarctica, but that this protection is not currently extended to the Southern Ocean islands. Furthermore, existing climatic barriers to alien species establishment will weaken as warming continues across the region. This not only illustrates the value of applying distribution modelling methods to this largely ice‐covered region, but demonstrates how these methods can be used to inform targeted surveillance of introduction pathways and sites that have the highest risk of establishment of invasive alien species.
Towards an interdisciplinary model of practice for participatory building design in education
Authors: Könings Karen D. , Bovill Catherine , Woolner Pamela 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIt is recognised that educational environments influence learning experiences, so it is important to ensure that educational buildings are designed to be fit for purpose. In order to ensure that educational buildings meet the needs of those who use them, all relevant stakeholders should be involved in the design process. However, this is not straightforward and much remains unclear about how involvement in such complex design processes should proceed. This article presents the findings of four small heterogeneous groups of architects, educational designers, teachers and students from the UK and The Netherlands, discussing how they would envision optimal collaboration and involvement of stakeholders in the process of (re)designing educational buildings and instructional methods. Presentations from the four groups were transcribed and analysed. Informed by a review of existing models and frameworks, our findings were synthesised into a new interdisciplinary model of participatory building design in education. This new model focuses on an iterative design process with different stakeholders involved in different ways at different times. We propose that this model can inform policy and practice in educational building design, as well as within co‐creation of curricula, learning, teaching and assessment.
Inclusion complex of peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) seed oil with β‐cyclodextrin: preparation, characterisation and bioavailability enhancement
Authors: Sun Xiaoli , Li Wengang , Li Jian , Zu Yuangang , Zhao Xiuhua 
Published: July 2017

SummaryIn this study, β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was used to form an inclusion complex with peony seed oil (PSO), in order to improve its stability, transport convenience and bioavailability. Single‐factor optimisation method was applied to determine the optimum inclusion conditions. The inclusion complexes were prepared by saturated solution method and characterised by GC‐MS, SEM, FT‐IR, XRD, DSC and 1H NMR analyses. All results suggested that PSO was successfully entered into the β‐CD cavity. What is more, inclusion rate of PSO reached 68.72 ± 2.14%, resulting in a product of 25.97% PSO content, and the unsaturated fatty acids, similar to PSO, accounted for 90.05% of all fat acids in complex. The linolenic acid in inclusion complex exhibited 64.84% higher bioavailability than that in PSO. The inclusion complex possessed of better stability for storage and transportation. Overall, the fabricated complex improved the feature of PSO and thus could be used for novel applications.
Water sorption and cooking time of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): part II – mathematical models of water sorption
Authors: Jian Fuji , Jayas Digvir S. , Fields Paul G. , White Noel D.G. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryEmpirical, semi‐theoretical and finite element method (FEM) models were developed to simulate the water sorption of kidney beans. The data of bean moisture content and 1 D swelling ratios obtained in Part I were regressed at different soaking times, and these regression models were used to update the boundary condition and calculate the node coordinates of the FEM model. The developed models were used to calculate the effective water diffusivity (Deff). The developed new empirical model, which considered the soaking temperature and pretreatment history of beans, was the best‐fit equation. The trend of the Deff calculated by the semi‐theoretical model was inconsistent with the water sorption of the beans. The Deff value predicted by the FEM was from 10−3 to 10−7 m2 s−1 and it decreased with the increase in soaking time. There was no significant difference between the moisture contents measured and predicted by the FEM.