bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competência em Informação e uso do Portal Capes: desafios para os programas brasileiros de pós-graduação em saúde coletiva
Authors: Vincent Beatriz Rodrigues Lopes , Pinto da Luz Mauricio Roberto Motta , Silveira Martha , Camacho Luiz Antonio Bastos
Published: December 2016

O Portal de Periódicos da Capes completou 10 anos de existência como acervo brasileiro de informação científica mais valioso na atualidade. Presente em 268 instituições de ensino do País, pode ter seu alcance comprometido pela baixa competência em informação(CI) de seus usuários. Descrever e analisar a CI dos alunos ingressantes na pós-graduação da Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, da Fiocruz,tendo em vista o uso do Portal, são os objetivos deste artigo. Foi estudada uma amostra composta de 88 alunos de pós-graduação(mestrandos e doutorandos) por meio de um questionário sobre habilidades no uso de bases de dados bibliográficas em Saúde Pública.Os resultados mostram que as diversidades de background, natureza dos treinamentos realizados e graus de domínio do inglês antecipam desafios para as propostas pedagógicas destinadas a melhorar o uso dessa ferramenta.
SAÚDE VOCAL E CONDIÇÕES DE TRABALHO NA PERCEPÇÃO DOS DOCENTES DE EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA
Authors: Gonçalves Gustavo Bicalho , Oliveira Dalila Andrade
Published: December 2016

O artigo discute a saúde vocal e o bem-estar dos docentes, relacionando-os com as percepções dos docentes sobre suas condições de trabalho. A partir de reflexões gerais sobre os riscos à saúde dos docentes, identificados e problematizados em pesquisas focadas na análise das condições de trabalho escolar, procurou-se desenvolver algumas análises de dados quantitativos resultantes da pesquisa Trabalho Docente na Educação Básica no Brasil (TDEBB). Foram criados três grupos de docentes segundo sua vivência de problemas de voz: o grupo E, sem problemas de voz; o grupo R, de risco para os problemas de voz; e o grupo D, diagnosticado com problemas de voz. A conformação desses três grupos foi analisada em quatro níveis: aracterísticas dos docentes, contexto profissional, contexto ambiental e contexto global. Foram ainda desenvolvidas análises qualitativas apoiadas nos relatos dos docentes em grupos focais. Fatores de risco e de proteção à saúde, relacionados às condições de trabalho, são apontados a fim de possibilitar a promoção de um ambiente de trabalho mais saudável, o que pode vir a contribuir para a melhoria na qualidade da educação e valorização da profissão docente.
EXPERIÊNCIAS E SABERES DE PROFESSORES UNIVERSITÁRIOS EM RELAÇÃO À INCLUSÃO DE ALUNOS COM DEFICIÊNCIA NA EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR
Authors: Calheiros David dos Santos , Fumes Neiza de Lourdes Frederico
Published: December 2016

O artigo tem o objetivo de descrever e analisar as experiências de professores da Universidade Federal de Alagoas em relação a pessoas com deficiência, como ainda aspectos de sua formação e as estratégias pedagógicas já conhecidas e utilizadas para o atendimento desse público. Utilizamos a abordagem qualitativa e a entrevista semiestruturada, com caráter reflexivo, realizada com oito docentes. A análise empregada foi a de conteúdo, especificamente a temática. Os resultados mostraram que poucos docentes tiveram experiências com pessoas com deficiência e que eles não tinham uma formação específica em educação inclusiva. Ademais, parte dos docentes descreveu realizar escassas e tímidas, mas necessárias, estratégias pedagógicas para atender as necessidades do alunado com deficiência. Assim, deve haver maior investimento na formação do professor universitário, uma vez que ano após ano ampliam-se as matrículas de alunos com deficiência no ensino superior.
Educação ambiental relacionada à coleta de resíduos sólidos contaminantes produzidos na Universidade Federal do Piauí
Authors: Araújo Johnny Mendes , Rocha Ranes Batista da , Santos Sergio Luiz Carvalho , Rocha James Batista da , Silva Ana Lucia Alves da , Santos Gilvan Rodrigues dos , Araujo Joniel Mendes de
Published: December 2016

This work was proposed by means of the results, discuss the main environmental impacts that contaminants can cause waste, and to whether the academic population is aware of the work done by the institution within the CPCE campus. This study was conducted at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Campus Professor Cinobelina Elvas/CPCE in Bom Jesus/PI. For survey data collection was used interviews with ten students, three teachers, and they of Degree Courses in Biological Sciences, Forestry, Animal Husbandry and five employee CPCE. The interview was based on a questionnaire with direct approaches to the subject. When asked if the work done by the University may provide some change on campus, 100% of respondents answered "yes." Regarding the teachers interrogated the UFPI is collecting toxic residues, 66.67% of the answers were "yes." In relation to employees who agreed to answer the questionnaire, 100% answered "yes" to the same question. Therefore, the paper discusses about the main environmental impacts caused by improper disposal of solid waste with potential contaminant and also highlights environmental problem solutions caused by hazardous waste with heavy metals.
Conocimiento de síntomas y factores de riesgo de enfermedad cerebrovascular en convivientes de personas en riesgo
Authors: Díaz Cabezas Ricardo
Published: December 2016

Introducción: a pesar de los avances en el manejo del ACV, incluyendo la opción de trombólisis, pocos pacientes consultan de manera oportuna. Entre los motivos de ello se encuentran el desconocimiento de los síntomas de instauración y de las posibilidades terapéuticas disponibles.

Objetivos: evaluar el grado de conocimiento acerca del ACV entre los convivientes de personas en riesgo de un evento cerebrovascular.

Materiales y Métodos: estudio poblacional, descriptivo y transversal realizado en la ciudad de Manizales, entre convivientes o cuidadores de personas mayores de 60 años, hipertensos y/o diabéticos, entrevistados en sus hogares. Se diligenció un formulario con preguntas acerca del conocimiento espontáneo de síntomas y factores de riesgo (FR), conducta a adoptar frente a un ACV y AIT y si conocían la existencia de un medicamento trombolítico.

Resultados: se entrevistaron 218 convivientes con edades entre 17 y 89 años (X 50,9 ± 15 años). El 68,8% de la muestra eran mujeres, 46,3% eran hijos, 23,4% cónyuges y 13,7% convivientes ajenos a la familia. Un 70,7% no conocía ningún síntoma de alarma y 45,4% ningún FR de ACV. La HTA fue el FR más citado, seguido de dislipidemia y tabaquismo, mientras que la DM fue el menos recordado. El 82,1% mencionó haber obtenido información acerca del ACV de fuentes no médicas. Solo 1,4% (n=3) de los encuestados conocía la existencia de un medicamento trombolítico.

Conclusión: esta investigación identificó fallas significativas en el grado de conocimiento que tienen las personas acerca de la enfermedad cerebrovascular, no desde la condición de pacientes sino de convivientes de sujetos en riesgo de un evento cerebrovascular, dado que ellos son los llamados a reconocer rápidamente síntomas y actuar diligentemente. Se reitera la urgente necesidad de educar a los pacientes, sus cuidadores y al público en general, empleando diversos recursos de información tanto por profesionales de la salud como por mensajes en medios de comunicación que permitan hacer una efectiva prevención primaria y secundaria del ACV.
Síndrome opsoclonus mioclonus paraneoplásico en pediatría: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura
Authors: Rodríguez Rangel Diego Andrés , Gelvez Pinzón Juan Diego
Published: December 2016

El síndrome opsoclonus mioclonus (SOM) es una entidad poco frecuente en pediatría que por consenso de expertos se define como aquel que cumple tres de cuatro criterios: opsoclonus, ataxia, mioclonus, alteraciones de la conducta o del sueño y diagnóstico de neuroblastoma. Frecuentemente el SOM en niños se presenta asociado a tumores de la cresta neural, siendo el neuroblastoma el más prevalente, seguido por ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma y hepatoblastoma. La asociación SOM y neuroblastoma tiene su pico de incidencia entre los 6 y 36 meses de edad y la posibilidad de que un niño con SOM tenga un neuroblastoma es de cerca del 50%. Si bien el SOM no es una patología frecuente en pediatría, su asociación con enfermedades neoplásicas sí lo es y desconocer su existencia y la presentación clínica puede llevar a demoras o subdiagnóstico del tumor con impacto negativo en el pronóstico tanto de la entidad de base como del futuro neurológico del paciente. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 15 meses con SOM asociado a ganglioneuroblastoma retroperitoneal que mejoró luego de la resección del tumor y el tratamiento con corticoides e inmunoglobulina.
Fibrilación auricular en pacientes con ataque cerebrovascular: experiencia en un centro de referencia del suroccidente colombiano
Authors: García Lina , Pérez Manuel , Amaya González Pablo
Published: December 2016

Introducción: La fibrilación auricular se presenta como uno de los principales factores de riesgo para la presencia de eventos isquémicos cerebrales de origen cardioembólico, siendo cada vez mayor su prevalencia, especialmente por aumento de la edad poblacional. Este tipo de arritmia hace que sea necesario un tipo de prevención secundaria diferente a la realizada en otras patologías.

Objetivo: Describir las características de los pacientes con ataque cerebrovascular isquémico (ACV) y su relación con fibrilación auricular.

Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo de individuos con ACV isquémico. Se recolectó información sobre factores de riesgo para enfermedad cerebrovascular, presencia o no de fibrilación auricular y tratamiento recibido. Se realizaron tablas comparativas según la presencia o ausencia de fibrilación auricular. Se consideraron significativos los valores de p inferiores a 0,05.

Resultados: Se incluyeron 246 pacientes con una mediana de edad de 71 años, la mitad de sexo masculino. Entre los factores de riesgo para ACV isquémico la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial (HTA) fue 73,9%, ACV previo 23,9%, tabaquismo previo 20,7%. La prevalencia de fibrilación auricular fue del 24,3%, siendo mayor en pacientes con falla cardiaca concomitante (OR 3,5 95%; IC 1,6-7,75; p = 0,000). Se observó menor probabilidad de fibrilación auricular entre los hombres (OR 0,49 95%; IC 0,26-0,92 p = 0,018). La dilatación de la aurícula izquierda estuvo presente en el 43,1% de los individuos con ACV isquémico. De quienes recibían anticoagulantes orales, 57% tenían fibrilación auricular. Solo 15% de los pacientes cumplieron criterios para realizar trombólisis. La mortalidad por cualquier causa en pacientes con ACV isquémico fue de 13,8% y en el grupo de fibrilación auricular del 16%.

Conclusión: El ACV isquémico es una patología prevalente en nuestra población y aproximadamente uno de cada cinco pacientes con ACV presentan fibrilación auricular previa o diagnosticada de novo durante el evento. La mortalidad en este subgrupo fue del 16%.
Estado actual de la esclerosis múltiple en Colombia
Authors: Jiménez-Pérez Cheryl E. , Zarco-Montero Luis A. , Castañeda-Cardona Camilo , Otálora Esteban Margarita , Martínez Andrea , Rosselli Diego
Published: December 2016

Introducción: Dos estudios epidemiológicos de esclerosis múltiple (EM) la describen como de bajo riesgo en Colombia. Hay, sin embargo, nuevos sistemas de información que permiten una aproximación más precisa.

Objetivo:Estimar la prevalencia nacional de EM, así como por regiones del país, y analizar los costos de los fármacos usados en Colombia.

Materiales y métodos: Se obtuvieron datos del Registro Individual de Prestación de Servicios de Salud (RIPS), con el código diagnóstico G35X para esclerosis múltiple, tomando los diagnósticos confirmados nuevos y repetidos entre 2009 y 2013, por sexo, grupo etario y departamento. Para el análisis de medicamentos se usó la base de datos Sismed del 2014, incluyendo los fármacos disponibles en Colombia: interferón beta-1A, interferón beta-1B, acetato de glatiramer, natalizumab, fingolimod y mitoxantrona.

Resultados:Según los RIPS, en Colombia se atendieron, en el período 2009-2013, un total de 3.462 personas con diagnóstico de esclerosis múltiple. La prevalencia nacional para el período fue de 7,52/100.000, con las cifras más altas en Bogotá (16,25), donde se atendieron 1.213 pacientes, seguido de los departamentos del Quindío (13,03) y Risaralda (11,18). La mayor proporción de pacientes se encuentra entre los 50 y 54 años de edad, y las mujeres representan más del 70%. Adicionalmente, en 2014 se invirtieron 86.000 millones de pesos (43 millones de dólares) en medicamentos para esclerosis múltiple, lo que equivale a cerca de 25 millones por paciente.
Point-of-purchase displays in the FMCG sector: A retailer perspective
Authors: Govender Jeevarathnam
Published: December 2016

Intense competition in the (fast-moving consumer goods) FMCG sector has prompted manufacturers and marketers to rely more heavily on point-of-purchase displays, an antecedent manipulation of the retail setting, to stimulate sales. Retailers, on the other hand, have become more discerning about the number and types of displays they will allow in their stores. There has been limited research on point-of-purchase displays in South Africa. This paper therefore examines retailers’ perceptions of point-of-purchase displays. Being an exploratory study, a survey was conducted among 100 supermarket owners and managers using a quantitative approach. It emerged that respondents believed that point-of-purchase displays drive in-store sales and contribute to retailers’ profits, as well as drive impulse purchases. It was found that point of purchase displays create an interactive retail experience, create brand loyalty and alone can drive sales without a price reduction. The results also indicate that point-of-purchase displays lead to clutter in stores and that marketers’ bargaining power influences point of purchase decisions in stores. Of concern was the perception that point-of-purchase displays did not cater for low literacy consumers.
The Talmudic philosophical conception of business ethics
Authors: Maune Alexander
Published: December 2016

The Talmud is considered to be one of the cornerstones of Judaism, Jewish business ethics and Jewish wisdom for business success. The Talmud has been the guide and main nerve center of the Jewish people. This article examines the philosophical conception of business ethics from a Talmudic perspective. The article used a conceptual approach as well as a review of related literature. It was found out that the road of the Talmud led not to philosophy and theology but to ethics, law and justice; it pursued not the abstract but the concrete. This article has therefore business and academic value.
The influence of gender and operational locality on entrepreneurial knowledge and business performance
Authors: Chovwen Catherine Oluwatoyin , Babalola Sunday Samson
Published: December 2016

This study set to examine the influence of gender and entrepreneur’s operational locality on entrepreneurial knowledge and business performance. A quantitative approach using a cross sectional survey design is utilised for the study. The participants are made up of 299 micro-entrepreneurs with age ranges from 22 to 39 years old (x = 29.93 age). The findings indicate that male micro-entrepreneurs score significantly higher on areas of planning and risk assessment while micro-entrepreneurs from Delta State of Nigeria have higher significant mean scores in six (general business ideas, business attitude, knowledge of capital requirement sources, knowledge of environmental forces, knowledge of risk assessment and entrepreneurial psychology) of the seven parameters of entrepreneurial knowledge and business performance. The findings show valuable empirical contribution with policy implications for gender and location factors in micro-entrepreneurial growth in developing economy.
The adverse effect on innovation, of state repression, and of groups with undesirable work ethics
Authors: DiPietro William R.
Published: December 2016

Innovation is crucial for economic growth, development, and progress. Using cross country regression analysis, this paper tests for two hypothesis regarding the determinants of innovation. The first is that state repression has a negative effect on innovation. The second is that lifestyles that devalue work, such as those obtaining their incomes from criminal activity or through natural resource rents, are detrimental to innovation. The findings from the empirical work of the paper provide evidence that tends to uphold both of these hypothesizes.
Governance of the research activities in higher educational institutions: factors and outcomes
Authors: Ngibe Musawenkosi , Lekhanya Lawrence Mpele
Published: December 2016

South African higher education institutions, specifically, universities of technology have been faced with an arduous battle of increasing postgraduate students enrolment (masters and doctoral) and improve their completion rate. However, the situation is exacerbated by inadequate number and inexperience of supervisors to supervise these postgraduate students. The Durban University of Technology has formulated research structures to administer and co-ordinate research activities in order to improve the number of staff members with doctoral qualifications in order to aid the current challenges. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the circumstances and factors hindering the academic staff throughput rates and the impact it has on the university. The use of qualitative and quantitative approach was used for this study, with closed and open-ended questionnaires used to collect data from 278 academic staff members using a probability sampling. The respondents 9 (4.9%) indicated that lack of external funding and project management skills proved to be major contributory factors hindering academics staff to complete their postgraduate degrees within the required time. The study recommends that funding should be made easily available to academics pursuing doctoral studies, while project management workshops should be organised regularly to help academics appropriately management their studies. This can have a positive impact which will benefit the university and aid to the current crisis of lack of supervisor for masters and doctoral studies.
The role of information and communication policies in the governance of the healthcare sector
Authors: Baridam Barileé B. , Govender Irene
Published: December 2016

Information and communication technology (ICT) is today an indispensable tool in the development of countries and economies, driving growth in many other sectors, including the health sector. The effective governance of the health sector demands enabling ICT policies. Healthcare is a key area in the development and growth of nations. A country that neglects this sector will definitely witness a decline in socio-economic development. Application of ICT in this sector is non-negotiable and an imperative. However, with diversities in policy ICT’s impact is not felt in many communities, and linking ICT and other business strategies is a big challenge. Availability of resources upon which ICT itself thrives is another factor limiting its impact upon the lives of the populations of most developing nations. Cultural diversity and technology problems seem to stand prominent among challenges impeding the impact of ICT on developing nations. Against this backdrop, this paper takes a critical look at the implementation and efficiency of ICT in healthcare delivery within the Nigerian context. The purpose is to assist those bodies responsible for ICT policy and implementation to enable the benefits of ICT to trickle through to the populace. We are also of the opinion that the adequate implementation of ICT policy in the health sector in the most populous black nation (Nigeria) will go a long way to influence its implementation in neighbouring nations
Gender diversity of boardrooms and firm financial performance
Authors: Iren Perihan
Published: December 2016

The impact of boardroom diversity on firm financial performance has attracted growing research interest in recent years. However, due to the lack of readily available datasets for other parts of the world, most of the evidence is based on the US data. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between gender diversity in the boardrooms and firm financial performance in a region, where it has never been studied before. Using a sample of 60 firms listed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Stock Exchanges, first the impact of gender diverse boards on the accounting value of the firms is analyzed. Afterwards, stock price reactions to the announcement of the gender quotas on corporate boards in the UAE are examined. The results do not show a significant impact of female directors on the firm’s both accounting and market value. However, these results should be interpreted carefully since the presence of women in leading positions might affect different aspects of the firm practices.
Credit scoring in the service of entrepreneurship in morocco: Pragmatic approach for the selection of promising projects
Authors: Bazzi Mehdi , Bennouna Ghita , Chamlal Hasna
Published: December 2016

The different policies adopted at the national and international level aimed at investing in the youth to accelerate their development on all socio-economic, political and cultural sectors. This orientation is based on the considerable growth of this population of youth from 15 to 29 years old representing about one third of the total population of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) (Approximately more than 100 million). However, lack of direction and support needed to fully contribute to the development of their communities, this potential can turn into frustration, as demonstrated by the "Arab Spring". In this sense and to promote the opportunities with these young people, Morocco has launched several employment programs like “Moukawalati” directing them to the world of entrepreneurship. From the perspective of successful operational deployment of these programs, this paper presents a practical approach of selection of the promising projects through the implementation of a highly predictive scoring approach adapted to the specificities of this segment of young micro-entrepreneurs.
Mean-gini and mean-extended gini portfolio selection: An empirical analysis
Authors: Agouram Jamal , Ghizlane Lakhnati
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine Mean-Gini strategy (MG) and Mean-Extended Gini strategy (MEG) for optimum portfolio selection, in terms of the monthly Rate of Return, Standard Deviation, Sharpe Ratio, Treynor Ratio and Jensen’s Alpha. This paper compared different optimum portfolio strategies, based on Moroccan financial market data taken from turbulent market periods between the years 2007 to 2015. Two distinct sub-periods were studied: (1) crisis period: 2007-2009; (2) post-crisis period: 2010-2015. The results show that both strategies were profitable for investors, but that the MEG strategy is the more appropriate and secure strategy for an individual investor.
Corporate governance from the perspective of the past and the present and the need to fill an international GAP
Authors: Alabdullah Tariq Tawfeeq Yousif
Published: December 2016

Corporate governance (CG) emerged many centuries ago, despite the debate on this subject and the widely-held view that it commenced in the 2000s. Thus, CG is not a new practice and over time it has become a precise system. In this study, the origins of CG are examined by the author in order to shed light on the underlying facts concerning the roots of this discipline and its history. By introducing such facts, it provides the background of the emergence of CG as clear principles and mechanisms. In the organizational sense, this study is considered important for both investors and organizations in applying the principles of CG and its mechanisms in all countries worldwide. The objective of this paper is to provide useful information to both researchers and practitioners in relation to CG including the fundamental principles and its history. This paper will present a solution to fill the gap in the literature concerning the relationship between CG and a firm’s performance in such instances when the results of examining such a relationship are found to be inconsistent. A number of factors have contributed to this author’s desire to research the relationship between a firm’s performance and CG and that includes the author’s experience and understanding of accounting over the years especially in the CG discipline, and also further to an in-depth literature review.
A literature review on the impact of IAS/IFRS and regulations on quality of financial reporting
Authors: Wadesango Newman , Tasa Edmore , Milondzo Khazamula , Wadesango Ongayi Vongai
Published: December 2016

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in its objectives and preamble, presume that IFRS adoption and perceived compliance to regulatory framework is associated with increased financial reporting quality. Based on these assumptions, this desktop study reviewed several documents to determine whether the IFRS adoption has led to increased financial reporting quality in Zimbabwe. The researchers reviewed literature on how the IAS/IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality of listed companies. The factors around IFRS adoption were identified (mandatory, voluntary and convergence) and discussed in relation to the financial reporting quality. Evidence from previous studies conducted in line with this same issue shows that there is no conclusive evidence on how IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality. Issues to be addressed in further studies include the importance of financial statements prepared under IFRS framework and the importance of compliance with accounting and auditing requirements.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) on moulding state structures: The Non-Ergodic Africa
Authors: Amonya Fred
Published: December 2016

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is a ubiquitous reality. In Africa, the wave of PPP has hit states in their infancy – still moulding following only 50 years since independence. The common perspective of PPP on the realms of scholarship is transactional (focused on the delivery-end of infrastructure). This paper presents a deeper and broader perspective, and it is a distillate of a case study on PPP as a policy phenomenon. It dissects and illuminates the interaction between the forces of state formation and the wave of PPP hitting the continent. The lens of this case study is Institutional Rational Choice (IRC). The tools are a variety, comprising textual analysis, hermeneutics and econometrics – in keeping with the essence of case study (explication of reality in-situ). The product is not the orthodox generalization (claiming ‘the way’). Instead, the explication offers a viewpoint (and trigger questions) on public space of Africa, while underpinning the non-ergodic character of that space.
Board diversity and corporate voluntary disclosure (CVD) in the annual reports of Bangladesh
Authors: Rouf Md. Abdur
Published: December 2016

This is an exploratory study designed to investigate the extant and nature of corporate voluntary disclosure (CVD) in corporate annual reports of Bangladesh. Specifically, examine the relationship between board diversity and corporate voluntary disclosures. The paper is based on a sample of 106 listed non-financial companies in Dhaka Stock Exchanges (DSE) from the period 2007-2011 and all the companies are selected by Judgment Sampling. The study is used ordinary least squares regression model to examine the relationship between explanatory variables and voluntary disclosure. Using an unweighted relative disclosure index for measuring voluntary disclosure, the empirical results indicate that Percentage Female Director (PFD), Board Leadership Structure (BLS) and Total Assets (TA) are positively association with corporate voluntary disclosure (CVD). In contrast, the extent of corporate voluntary disclosure is negatively associated with a Percentage of equity owned by the insiders to all equity of the firm higher management ownership.
Microfinance bank and entrepreneurship development in an emerging market
Authors: Afolabi Adeoye Amuda
Published: December 2016

We determine how Microfinance Banks (MFBs) impacts on entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Data were collected through structured interview from entrepreneurs, Microfinance Bank managers and Regulators. The finding revealed that non-financial services of Microfinance Banks contribute to the survival of entrepreneurs and there is indication that Microfinance Banks enhance the productivity of entrepreneurship. This finding supports the evidence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that there is an increase in total assets, Investment and Deposit Liabilities of MFBs in recent times. Beside this, respondents claimed that influence and control over entrepreneurships financing by Microfinance Banks should be view as partially effective. This result suggest that although Microfinance Banks in Nigeria are trying their best, there is need to put more effort in order to meet total demand of financing the entrepreneurships in Nigeria. We recommend that MFBs should assist their clients by providing training on credit utilization and the government should urgently tackle the problem of infrastructure development and maintenance.
Change management in the higher education landscape: A case of the transition process at a South African university
Authors: Govender Vaneshree , Rampersad Renitha
Published: December 2016

The South African Higher Education system in the post-apartheid period had to respond to the various discriminatory practices that existed during the apartheid era. This entailed responding to inequalities in the education system at various levels. With respect to Higher Education there was an imperative to serve society that was based on the principles of equality, equity and inclusivity. One such response was to merge higher education institutions such as ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal to form the Durban Institute of Technology now referred to as the Durban University of Technology (DUT). This paper is concerned with the process of change in the Higher Education context and examines a South African case study. The study was conducted within a quantitative paradigm and the sample population was 400 administrative and academic staff from across the seven campuses. In order to satisfy the research objectives of the study, a self-administered location based survey was distributed and data was analyzed using SPSS. The study revealed that living and coping with change in the work environment is a fact of life for organisations and individuals. The success of any change programme depends on the organisation’s ability to communicate effectively with its employees; therefore internal communication plays a pivotal role in any change programme.
How do mean division shares affect growth and development
Authors: Shao Liang
Published: December 2016

The Gini coefficient is widely used in academia to discuss how income inequality affects development and growth. However, different Lorenz curves may provide different development and growth outcomes while still leading to the same Gini coefficient. This paper studies the development effects of ?mean division shares?, i.e., the share of income (mean income share) held by people whose household disposable income per capita is below the mean income and the share of the population (mean population share) with this income, using panel data. Our analysis explores how this income share and population share impact development and growth. It shows that the income and population shares affect growth in significantly different ways and that an analysis of these metrics provides substantial value compared to that of the Gini coefficient.
Bypass surgery to treat symptomatic fusiform dilation of the internal carotid artery following craniopharyngioma resection: report of 2 cases
Authors: Wang Long , Shi Xiang'en , Liu Fangjun , Qian Hai
Published: December 2016

Fusiform dilation of the internal carotid artery (FDICA) is an infrequent vascular complication following resection of suprasellar lesions in the pediatric population, and its course appears to be benign without apparent clinical symptoms. However, data correlating symptomatic FDICA with bypass surgery are scarce. The authors here report 2 symptomatic cases that were treated using internal maxillary artery bypass more than 5 years after total removal of a craniopharyngioma at an outside institution. Both cases of FDICA were resected to relieve the mass effect and to expose the craniopharyngioma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and radiological imaging revealed graft conduit patency. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported use of extracranial to intracranial bypass to treat FDICA following removal of a suprasellar lesion. Their findings suggest that bypass surgery is a useful therapeutic approach for symptomatic cases of FDICA and total removal of recurrent craniopharyngioma. Moreover, the indications for surgical intervention and treatment modalities are discussed in the context of previous relevant cases.
The learning curve in endoscopic endonasal resection of craniopharyngiomas
Authors: Kshettry Varun R. , Do Hyunwoo , Elshazly Khaled , Farrell Christopher J. , Nyquist Gurston , Rosen Marc , Evans James J.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

There is a paucity of literature regarding the learning curve associated with performing endoscopic endonasal cranial base surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent a learning curve might exist for endoscopic endonasal resection in cases of craniopharyngiomas.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed for all endoscopic endonasal craniopharyngioma resections performed at Thomas Jefferson University from 2005 to 2015. To assess for a learning curve effect, patients were divided into an early cohort (2005–2009, n = 20) and a late cohort (2010–2015, n = 23). Preoperative demographics, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, extent of resection, complications, tumor control, and visual and endocrine outcomes were obtained. Categorical variables and continuous variables were compared using a 2-sided Fisher's exact test and t-test, respectively.

RESULTS

Only the index operation performed at the authors' institution was included. There were no statistically significant differences between early and late cohorts in terms of patient age, sex, presenting symptoms, history of surgical or radiation treatment, tumor size or consistency, hypothalamic involvement, or histological subtype. The rate of gross-total resection (GTR) increased over time from 20% to 65% (p = 0.005), and the rate of subtotal resection decreased over time from 40% to 13% (p = 0.078). Major neurological complications, including new hydrocephalus, meningitis, carotid artery injury, or stroke, occurred in 6 patients (15%) (8 complications) in the early cohort compared with only 1 (4%) in the late cohort (p = 0.037). CSF leak decreased from 40% to 4% (p = 0.007). Discharge to home increased from 64% to 95% (p = 0.024). Visual improvement was high in both cohorts (88% [early cohort] and 81% [late cohort]). Rate of postoperative panhypopituitarism and permanent diabetes insipidus both increased from 50% to 91% (p = 0.005) and 32% to 78% (p = 0.004), which correlated with a significant increase in intentional stalk sacrifice in the late cohort (from 0% to 70%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High rates of near- or total resection and visual improvement can be achieved using an endoscopic endonasal approach for craniopharyngiomas. However, the authors did find evidence for a learning curve. After 20 cases, they found a significant decrease in major neurological complications and significant increases in the rates of GTR rate and discharge to home. Although there was a large decrease in the rate of postoperative CSF leak over time, this was largely attributable to the inclusion of very early cases prior to the routine use of vascularized nasoseptal flaps. There was a significant increase in new panhypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus, which is attributable to increase rates of intentional stalk sacrifice.
A quantitative analysis of craniopharyngioma cyst expansion during and after radiation therapy and surgical implications
Authors: Lamiman Kelly , Wong Kenneth K. , Tamrazi Benita , Nosrati Jason D. , Olch Arthur , Chang Eric L. , Kiehna Erin N.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

When complete resection of craniopharyngioma is not achievable or the sequelae are prohibitive, limited surgery and radiation therapy have demonstrated excellent local disease control while minimizing treatment-related sequelae. When residual tissue exists, there is a propensity for further cyst development and expansion during and after radiation therapy. This can result in obstructive hydrocephalus, visual changes, and/or clinical decline. The authors present a quantitative analysis of cyst expansion during and after radiotherapy and examine how it affected subsequent management.

METHODS

The authors performed an institutional review board–approved retrospective study of patients with histologically confirmed craniopharyngioma treated between 2000 and 2015 with surgery and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) at a single institution. Volumetric measurements of cyst contours were generated by radiation oncology treatment planning software postoperatively, during IMRT, and up to 12 months after IMRT. Patient, tumor, and treatment–related variables were collected until the last known follow-up and were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients underwent surgery and IMRT. The median total radiation dose was 54 Gy. Of the 27 patients, 11 patients (40.7%) demonstrated cyst expansions within 1 year of IMRT. Of note, all tumors with cyst expansion were radiographically Puget Grade 2. Maximal cyst expansion peaked at 4.27 months following radiation therapy, with a median volume growth of 4.1 cm3 (mean 9.61 cm3) above the postoperative cyst volume. Eight patients experienced spontaneous cyst regression without therapeutic intervention. Three patients experienced MRI-confirmed cyst enlargement during IMRT, all of whom required adaptive planning to ensure adequate coverage of the entire tumor volume. Two of these 3 patients required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and additional intervention. One underwent additional resection, and the other had placement of an intracystic catheter for aspiration and delivery of intracystic interferon within 12 months of completing IMRT. All 3 patients now have stable disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Craniopharyngioma cyst expansion occurred in approximately 40% of the patients during or after radiotherapy. In the majority of patients, cyst expansion was a self-limiting process and did not confer a worse outcome. During radiotherapy, cyst expansion may be apparent on image-guided radiation therapy. Adaptive IMRT planning may be required to ensure that the intended IMRT dose covers the entire tumor and cyst volume. The sequelae of cyst expansion include progressive hydrocephalus, which may be treated with a shunt. For patients with solitary cyst expansion, cyst aspiration and/or intracystic interferon may result in disease control.
Le genre Leistus Froehlig (Coleoptera Carabidae Nebriini). XIII -Les groupes de L. rufomarginatus Duftschmid et L. ovipennis Chaudoir
Authors: Perrault Georges G.
Published: December 2016

L'ensemble des groupes de Leistus rufomarginatus Duft. et de L. ovipennis Chaudoir est assez homogène. Il comprend trois espèces. L. rufomarginatus est une espèce à très large distribution, actuellement en voie d'extension, alors que L. hermonis La Brûlerie est limité au Proche-Orient et L. ovipennis à une série de localités sur le versant sud des Alpes.
Description et biologie d'une espèce nouvelle de Cisurgus : C. seselii (Coleoptera Scolytidae)
Authors: Coffin Jacques , Téocchi Pierre
Published: December 2016

L'étude de l'ombellifère Seseli tortuosum L. et de sa biocénose nous a permis d'obtenir par élevage une espèce nouvelle de Cisurgus, genre lui-même nouveau pour la France et très rare dans les collections européennes. Nous en détaillons la biologie.
Remarques sur l'acclimatation en France de Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda Cambaridae)
Authors: Laurent P.-J. , Leloirn H. , Neveu André
Published: December 2016

Remarks on the acclimatization of Procambarus clarkii in France (Decapoda Cambaridae)

We observed populations of P. clarkii in several locations in South-Western part of France, the department Gard and Brittany. Although dense populations have been encountered ten years after acclimatization, this crayfish does not seem to have induce, until now, detectable migrations. Such a behaviour differs with Orconectes limosus's behaviour. Once settled in a place, O. limosus, moves quickly downstream through entire watershed, using, if necessary, canals as way of migration. French climatic conditions are probably not very favourable for P. clarkii, however some individuals develop adaptations and become able to multiply as soon as the conditions improve. Human interventions could however open widely the French continental waters to a generalized invasion of P. clarkii like in Spain. Such an event could be considered as a great threat on both the astacological situation and aquatic biota.
Les Cicindèles de Thaïlande, étude faunistique (Coleoptera Cicindelidae)
Authors: Naviaux Roger L.
Published: December 2016

Dans cet inventaire actualisé de la faune de Thaïlande sont présentées 103 espèces et sous-espèces de cicindèles provenant de captures récentes. Pour chacune d'elles sont donnés : une diagnose, un dessin de l'imago et de certains détails anatomiques, des renseignements sur la variabilité au sein de l'espèce, une carte de répartition géographique et, quand cela est possible, des informations écologiques. 20 nouveaux taxons y sont décrits, dont 16 espèces, ce qui porte à 27 le nombre des cicindèles nouvellement connues. Une brève analyse faunistique complète ce travail.
Révision des espèces du genre Anisoplia Fischer, 1824 (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea Rutelidae)
Authors: Baraud Jacques
Published: December 2016

Le genre Anisoplia Fischer, récemment redéfini (Baraud, 1986) est subdivisé en trois sous-genres. Le sg. Autanisoplia contient trois espèces, dont une nouvellement décrite. Le sg. Pilleriana nov. est créé pour deux espèces particulières de la région caucasienne. Le sg. Anisoplia s. str. regroupe 49 espèces, dont huit sont nouvelles ; pour la commodité de l'étude, elles sont réparties en huit groupes. Des tableaux permettent d'identifier les sous-genres et leurs espèces respectives ; ils sont suivis de la description et de la répartition de chaque espèce. Certaines nouvelles synonymies sont proposées. Tous les édéages, paramères et plaques ventrales sont dessinés, ainsi que les ongles antérieurs des mâles et, dans certains cas, les palpes vaginaux.
HEATING MECHANISMS IN THE LOW SOLAR ATMOSPHERE THROUGH MAGNETIC RECONNECTION IN CURRENT SHEETS
Authors: Ni Lei , Lin Jun , Roussev Ilia I. , Schmieder Brigitte
Published: December 2016

We simulate several magnetic reconnection processes in the low solar chromosphere/photosphere; the radiation cooling, heat conduction and ambipolar diffusion are all included. Our numerical results indicate that both the high temperature (≳8 × 104 K) and low temperature (∼104 K) magnetic reconnection events can happen in the low solar atmosphere (100–600 km above the solar surface). The plasma β controlled by plasma density and magnetic fields is one important factor to decide how much the plasma can be heated up. The low temperature event is formed in a high β magnetic reconnection process, Joule heating is the main mechanism to heat plasma and the maximum temperature increase is only several thousand Kelvin. The high temperature explosions can be generated in a low β magnetic reconnection process, slow and fast-mode shocks attached at the edges of the well developed plasmoids are the main physical mechanisms to heat the plasma from several thousand Kelvin to over 8 × 104 K. Gravity in the low chromosphere can strongly hinder the plasmoid instability and the formation of slow-mode shocks in a vertical current sheet. Only small secondary islands are formed; these islands, however, are not as well developed as those in the horizontal current sheets. This work can be applied to understand the heating mechanism in the low solar atmosphere and could possibly be extended to explain the formation of common low temperature Ellerman bombs (∼104 K) and the high temperature Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) bombs (≳8 × 104) in the future.
A NEW APPROACH TO ANALYZING HST SPATIAL SCANS: THE TRANSMISSION SPECTRUM OF HD 209458 b
Authors: Tsiaras A. , Waldmann I. P. , Rocchetto M. , Varley R. , Morello G. , Damiano M. , Tinetti G.
Published: December 2016

The Wide Field Camera 3 on the Hubble Space Telescope is currently one of the most widely used instruments for observing exoplanetary atmospheres, especially with the use of the spatial scanning technique. An increasing number of exoplanets have been studied using this technique as it enables the observation of bright targets without saturating the sensitive detectors. In this work, we present a new pipeline for analyzing the data obtained with the spatial scanning technique, starting from the raw data provided by the instrument. In addition to commonly used correction techniques, we take into account the geometric distortions of the instrument, the impact of which may become important when they are combined with the scanning process. Our approach can improve the photometric precision for existing data and also extend the limits of the spatial scanning technique, as it allows the analysis of even longer spatial scans. As an application of our method and pipeline, we present the results from a reanalysis of the spatially scanned transit spectrum of HD 209458 b. We calculate the transit depth per wavelength channel with an average relative uncertainty of 40 ppm. We interpret the final spectrum with

-REx, our fully Bayesian spectral retrieval code, which confirms the presence of water vapor and clouds in the atmosphere of HD 209458 b. The narrow wavelength range limits our ability to disentangle the degeneracies between the fitted atmospheric parameters. Additional data over a broader spectral range are needed to address this issue.
KOI-1003: A NEW SPOTTED, ECLIPSING RS CVN BINARY IN THE KEPLER FIELD
Authors: Roettenbacher Rachael M. , Kane Stephen R. , Monnier John D. , Harmon Robert O.
Published: December 2016

Using the high-precision photometry from the Kepler space telescope, thousands of stars with stellar and planetary companions have been observed. The characterization of stars with companions is not always straightforward and can be contaminated by systematic and stellar influences on the light curves. Here, through a detailed analysis of starspots and eclipses, we identify KOI-1003 as a new, active RS CVn star—the first identified with data from Kepler. The Kepler light curve of this close binary system exhibits the system’s primary transit, secondary eclipse, and starspot evolution of two persistent active longitudes. The near equality of the system’s orbital and rotation periods indicates the orbit and primary star’s rotation are nearly synchronized (

;

). By assuming the secondary star is on the main sequence, we suggest the system consists of a

subgiant primary and a

main-sequence companion. Our work gives a distance of 4400 ± 600 pc and an age of

, parameters which are discrepant with previous studies that included the star as a member of the open cluster NGC 6791.