bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The golden paradox – a new heterokont lineage with chloroplasts surrounded by two membranes
Authors: Wetherbee Richard , Jackson Christopher J. , Repetti Sonja I. , Clementson Lesley A. , Costa Joana F. , van de Meene Allison , Crawford Simon , Verbruggen Heroen
Published: December 2018

A marine, sand‐dwelling, golden‐brown alga is described from clonal cultures established from a high intertidal pool in southeastern Australia. This tiny, unicellular species, which we call the “golden paradox” (Chrysoparadoxa australica gen. et sp. nov.), is benthic, surrounded by a multilayered cell wall and attached to the substratum by a complex adhesive plug. Each vegetative cell gives rise to a single, naked zoospore with heterokont flagella that settles and may become briefly amoeboid prior to dividing. Daughter cells are initially amoeboid, then either permanently attach and return to the benthic stage or become motile again prior to final settlement. Two deeply lobed chloroplasts occupy opposite ends of the cell and are surrounded by only two membranes. The outer chloroplast membrane is continuous between the two chloroplasts via the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. Only two membranes occupy the chloroplast–nucleus interface, the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope and the inner chloroplast membrane. A small pyrenoid is found in each chloroplast and closely abuts the nucleus or protrudes into it. It contains an unusual, membrane‐bound inclusion that stains with SYBR green but is unlikely to be a nucleomorph. Phylogenies inferred from a 10‐gene concatenated alignment show an early‐branching position within the PX clade. The unusual morphological features and phylogenetic position indicate C. australica should be classified as a new class, Chrysoparadoxophyceae. Despite an atypical plastid, exploration of the C. australica transcriptome revealed typical heterokont protein targeting to the plastid.
The complete chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of the diatomNitzschia palea(Bacillariophyceae) demonstrate high sequence similarity to the endosymbiont organelles of the dinotomDurinskia baltica
Authors: Crowell Roseanna M. , Nienow James A. , Cahoon Aubrey Bruce
Published: December 2018

Nitzschia paleais a common freshwater diatom used as a bioindicator because of its tolerance of polluted waterways. There is also evidence it may be the tertiary endosymbiont within the “dinotom” dinoflagellateDurinskia baltica. A putative strain ofN. paleawas collected from a pond on the University of Virginia's College at Wise campus and cultured. For initial identification, three markers were sequenced—nuclear18SrDNA, the chloroplast23SrDNA, andrbcL. Morphological characteristics were determined using light and scanning electron microscopy; based on these observations the cells were identified asN. paleaand named strain “Wise.”DNAfromN. paleawas deep sequenced and the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes assembled. Single gene phylogenies groupedN. palea—Wise within a clearly definedN. paleaclade and showed it was most closely related to the strain “SpainA3.” The chloroplast genome ofN. paleais 119,447 bp with a quadripartite structure, 135 protein‐coding, 28tRNA, and 3rRNAgenes. The mitochondrial genome is 37,754 bp with a single repeat region as found in other diatom chondriomes, 37 protein‐coding, 23tRNA, and 2rRNAgenes. The chloroplast genomes ofN. paleaandD. balticahave identical gene content, synteny, and a 92.7% pair‐wise sequence similarity with most differences occurring in intergenic regions. TheN. paleamitochondrial genome andD. baltica's endosymbiont mitochondrial genome also have identical gene content and order with a sequence similarity of 90.7%. Genome‐based phylogenies demonstrated thatD. balticais more similar toN. paleathan any other diatom sequence currently available. These data provide the genome sequences of two organelles for a widespread diatom and show they are very similar to those ofDurinskia baltica's endosymbiont.
Religiosity and Financial Crises in the United States
Authors: Orman Wafa Hakim
Published: December 2018

The farm crisis in the United States in the 1980s had profound effects on rural, agricultural regions of the country, but almost no impact on urban and suburban areas. At the same time, the 2007–2008 housing crisis impacted almost all metropolitan areas, but was much more deeply felt in certain states, such as California, Arizona, Nevada, and Florida. I use a difference‐in‐differences methodology and find that religiosity as measured by religious attendance, prayer frequency, and religious intensity increased significantly in areas impacted by the farm crisis for those who worked in agriculture, and by the housing crisis for those who worked in housing‐related industries. Chen describes increased religiosity in Indonesia following the 1998 financial crisis, and this article demonstrates a similar response to severe financial distress in the United States. This increase is not due to a lower opportunity cost of time, as those who are currently employed have higher levels of attendance than those who are not. I hypothesize that the increased religiosity results from religious institutions’ ability to provide public goods, both financial and emotional, in the form of community support.
Effects of chronic diseases on health‐related quality of life and self‐rated health among three adult age groups
Authors: Ge Lixia , Ong Reuben , Yap Chun Wei , Heng Bee Hoon
Published: December 2018

Little is known about whether there is any difference in associations of chronic diseases with health‐related quality of life and self‐rated health across age groups. The purpose of the present study was to examine the associations of one specific and multiple chronic diseases with health‐related quality of life and self‐rated health (measured using the 5‐level EQ‐5D version) in three age groups: young (21–44 years), middle‐aged (45–64 years), and older adults (≥65 years). Secondary data analysis of 1932 participants in the Population Health Index Survey was performed. Linear regression results showed that different chronic diseases had a characteristic effect on health‐related quality of life and self‐rated health among different age groups. The presence of a single chronic disease was associated with lower health‐related quality of life and self‐rated health in young adults. Multi‐morbidity was consistently associated with decreased health‐related quality of life and self‐rated health in all age groups. Our findings suggest that although young adults have a lower prevalence of chronic diseases, their impacts on health‐related quality of life and self‐rated health can be as significant as that in middle‐aged and older adults.
Identification and classification of S haplotypes in radish (Raphanus sativus)
Authors: Wang Qingbiao , Zheng Pengjing , Zhang Li
Published: December 2018

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a typical cross‐pollinated crop that exhibits obvious heterosis. Self‐incompatibility is an important character for F1 hybrid breeding of radish. Knowledge of the S haplotypes of breeding lines is very important for breeders to avoid cross‐incompatibility of the parental lines. In the present study, the S haplotypes of 63 radish inbred lines, which were independently cultivated by our research group, were identified by PCR amplification, sequencing and BLAST analyses of the SRK and SLG genes. Finally, fifty‐four inbred lines were classified into 15 class I S haplotypes, including three new types, RsS‐38, RsS‐39 and RsS‐40. Additionally, three class II S haplotypes were identified in nine radish inbred lines. Partial SRK or SLG sequences were completed, such as RsS‐11 Lim (SRK‐S), RsS‐26 (SRK‐K), RsS‐5 Lim (SRK‐K and SRK‐S) and RsS‐9 (SRK‐K). The identified S haplotypes were verified with a cross‐pollination test, and RsS‐9 has weaker self‐incompatibility than other S haplotypes. These information will not only contribute to the production of hybrid seeds but also to the development of new self‐compatible inbred lines, which were advantageous of the production of maintain line and male line in CMS breeding system.
Autologous cord blood transplantation in children with acquired severe aplastic anemia
Authors: Sun Yuan , Liu Zhouyang , Xiao Juan , Liu Xiaomei , Jiang Fan , Fan Shifen , Shen Ying
Published: December 2018

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of ACBT for acquired SAA in children.

Methods

Four patients including three girls and one boy were diagnosed with acquired SAA. Their ages were 5, 3, 1, and 3 years, respectively. Patients received an immunoablative preparative regimen using low‐dose antithymocyte globulin, cyclophosphamide, and fludarabine. The unrelated human umbilical cord MSC were infused before the autologous cord blood was transfused on day 0. The first and second patients were not treated with immunosuppressive agents after transplantation. The third and the fourth patients received cyclosporine A for half a year after transplantation followed by a 6‐month taper.

Results

Initial hematopoietic reconstitution was seen in all the four patients. There was no association between engraftment time and the number of total cells and CD34+ cells. Relapse was seen in the first case about half a year after the transplantation. The other three patients with durable hematopoietic reconstitution are with good quality of life. No GVHD was observed.

Conclusions

Three of four patients maintained prolonged hematopoiesis following an immunosuppressive‐based preparative regimen and infusion of autologous cord blood cells. It is recommended that cyclosporine be maintained for 6 months after transplantation. ACBT could be considered for acquired SAA if available.
Exploring sub‐individual variability: role of ontogeny, abiotic environment and seed‐dispersing birds
Authors: Sobral M. , Guitián J. , Guitián P. , Violle C. , Larrinaga A. R.
Published: December 2018

Within‐individual trait variation – otherwise known as sub‐individual variation – is an important component of phenotypic variation, with both a genetic and epigenetic basis. We explore its adaptive value and the effects of ontogeny and the environment on sub‐individual variability.

We conducted a field study to analyse the effects of tree age, soilpH, soil water content and soil nutrients on sub‐individual variability in fruit size of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) in three sites in northwest Spain. Additionally, we examined how bird‐mediated selection influences average and sub‐individual variation in fruit size.

Results show that average and sub‐individual variations in fruit size were related to fitness affecting seed dispersal. Older trees produced larger fruits, but tree age did not affect sub‐individual variation in fruit size. Abiotic environmental factors differently affected sub‐individual variation and average fruit size. Seed‐dispersing birds exerted correlated selection on average and variation in fruit size, favouring trees with larger and less variable fruit size at one site.

Our work suggests that the fruit size variation within individual trees, the sub‐individual variation, is modified by abiotic environmental factors and, additionally, is an adaptive trait that responds to natural selection.
An ERP study of cross‐modal rhyming: Influences of phonology and orthography
Authors: Mitra Priya , Coch Donna
Published: December 2018

In a cross‐modal rhyming study with visual pseudoword primes and auditory word targets, we found a typical ERP rhyming effect such that nonrhyming targets elicited a larger N400/N450 than rhyming targets. An orthographic effect was also apparent in the same 350‐ to 600‐ms epoch as the phonological effect: The rhyming effect for targets with rime orthography that did not match their primes' (e.g., tain‐“sane”) was smaller over the left hemisphere than the rhyming effect for targets with rime orthography that did match their primes' (e.g., nain‐“gain”), although the spellings of the auditory word targets were never explicitly shown. Our results indicate that this cross‐modal ERP rhyming effect indexes both phonological and orthographic processing—for auditory stimuli for which no orthography is presented in the task. This pattern of findings is consistent with the notion of coactivation of sublexical orthography and phonology in fluent adult readers as they both read and listen.
Governing Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction: The Case of Pennsylvania
Authors: Chalfant Brian Alexander , Corrigan Caitlin C.
Published: December 2018

Over the past decade, directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing enabled an unconventional oil and gas extraction (UOGE) boom in many regions of the United States, including parts of Pennsylvania. This revolution has created serious concerns about the capability of existing institutions to govern important societal outcomes associated with UOGE. We present a conceptual framework for assessing key societal outcomes influenced by UOGE governance. In applying this framework to Pennsylvania, we discern certain institutional strengths that have allowed the Commonwealth to reap appreciable short‐term economic growth from rich resource endowments. We also find, however, that several institutional weaknesses have allowed costs externalized to the environment, public health, and community integrity to offset some proportion of those economic benefits. Likewise, we find that governance of UOGE in Pennsylvania has contributed to a bifurcated sociopolitical landscape wherein adversarial coalitions dispute the legitimacy of the industry and its governance.
Sublacustrine hydrothermal seeps and silicification of microbial bioherms in the Ediacaran Oued Dar'a caldera, Anti‐Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Álvaro J. Javier , González‐Acebrón Laura
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a case study of the sublacustrine precipitation of hydrothermal silica ± TiO2 in the Ediacaran Mançour Group of the Saghro inlier, Anti‐Atlas, Morocco. Lacustrine carbonates containing stromatolitic mats and bioherms occur in ephemeral ponds developed within the Oued Da'ra caldera. Its syn‐eruptive infill consists of pyroclastites, ashflow tuffs, and subsidiary lava flows and sills, whereas inter‐eruptive deposition is mainly represented by slope‐related debris‐flow breccias and landslides, alluvial fans and fluvial channels. Carbonate production took place in a mosaic of differentially subsiding, fault‐bounded intra‐caldera blocks controlled by episodic collapse‐induced drowning, pyroclastic blanketing and migration of alluvial/fluvial environments. After microbial carbonate production, the carbonates recorded several early‐diagenetic processes, punctuated by polyphase fissuring (controlling secondary permeability) locally linked to hydrothermal influx. Three generations of carbonate cements are recognisable: (i) fibrous, botryoidal and blocky/drusy mosaics of calcite; (ii) idiotopic mosaics of dolomite caused by flushing of hypersaline Mg‐rich brines; and (iii) euhedral to drusy calcite via dedolomitization. The δ13C and δ18O values from carbonate cements broadly become successively isotopically lighter, as a result of meteoric and hydrothermal influence, and were probably overprinted by the Panafrican‐3 phase that affected the top of the Mançour Group. Two mechanisms of silicification are involved: (i) early‐diagenetic occlusion of interparticle pores at the sediment/water interface of pyroclastic substrates and reefal core and flanks; and (ii) hydrothermal precipitation of silica ± TiO2 lining fissures and vuggy porosity encased in the host rock. Silica conduits cross‐cutting lacustrine mats and bioherms exhibit high potential of preservation in collapsed volcanic calderas. Primary fluid inclusions of hydrothermal silica contain brine relics with NaCl/CaCl2 ratios of 2·1 to 4·4, representing minimum entrapment temperatures of about 142 to 204°C, and abiotic hydrocarbons (heavy alkanes) related to serpentinization of the volcanic and volcanosedimentary basement of the Oued Dar'a caldera.
Deposition and early diagenesis of microbial mud in the Florida Everglades
Authors: Pederson Chelsea L. , Klaus James S. , Swart Peter K. , Mcneill Donald F.
Published: December 2018

Microbial carbonate mud in the modern (<4 kyr) palustrine environment of the Florida Everglades is surprisingly susceptible to early diagenetic alteration. The low‐Mg calcite crystals show an open, trellis‐like crystal structure that yields a high surface area to volume ratio. This textural complexity, likely to be a result of organic influence, leads to abundant reaction sites vulnerable to both dissolution and subsequent precipitation. Rapid degradation of organics is attributed to both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms. Geochemical signatures suggest increased denitrification within the freshwater environment and increased sulphate reduction at the (slightly) brackish mangrove transition zone. A transition from a freshwater to brackish depositional environment is likely to follow the Holocene sea‐level transgression. The textural complexity in these microbial carbonates causes an unexpectedly low preservation potential of original textural and geochemical signatures, even in low‐Mg calcite. Given the potential for early diagenesis of palustrine and perhaps other microbial carbonates, they should be used cautiously as archives for palaeoenvironmental proxies.
Does a bounding exercise program prevent hamstring injuries in adult male soccer players? – A cluster‐RCT
Authors: van de Hoef Peter Alexander , Brink Michel S. , Huisstede Bionka M. A. , van Smeden Maarten , de Vries Niels , Goedhart Edwin A. , Gouttebarge Vincent , Backx Frank J. G.
Published: December 2018

Background

Although the Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) prevents hamstring injury in soccer players effectively, the annual incidence of these injuries still increases. This may be because of poor long‐term compliance with the program. Furthermore, the timing and amplitude of gluteal and core muscle activation seem to play an important role in hamstring injury prevention, the NHE program was not designed to improve activation of these muscles. Therefore, we propose plyometric training as an alternative to reduce hamstring injuries in soccer players.

Purpose

To determine the preventive effect of the Bounding Exercise Program (BEP) on hamstring injury incidence and severity in adult male amateur soccer players.

Study design

A cluster‐Randomized Controlled Trial.

Methods

Thirty‐two soccer teams competing in the first‐class amateur league were cluster‐randomized into the intervention or control group. Both groups were instructed to perform their regular training program, and the intervention group additionally performed BEP. Information about player characteristics was gathered at baseline and exposure, hamstring injuries and BEP compliance were weekly registered during one season (2016‐2017).

Results

The data of 400 players were analyzed. In total, 57 players sustained 65 hamstring injuries. The injury incidence was 1.12/1000 hours in the intervention group and 1.39/1000 hours in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in hamstring injury incidence (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.46‐1.75) or severity between the groups (P > 0.48).

Conclusion

In this large cluster‐randomized controlled trial, no evidence was found for plyometric training in its current form to reduce hamstring injuries in amateur soccer players.
Short‐Term Dynamics in Issue Ownership and Electoral Choice Formation
Authors: Petitpas Adrien , Sciarini Pascal
Published: December 2018

In light of the increased volatility in party preference and alleged importance of issue voting, the scarce knowledge about how short‐term stability and change in issue ownership perceptions influence stability and change of party choice is puzzling. This paper fills a gap by examining whether and to what extent the three pathways of electoral choice formation (activation, conversion and reinforcement) occur in line with the dynamics of issue competence evaluations. Our analysis of panel data from the 2015 Swiss election study shows that the stability and change in issue ownership perceptions is highly consequential. Citizens who change or maintain their competence attribution in favor of a party during the electoral campaign are more likely to activate, convert or reinforce their vote for that party. The results regarding the conditional effects of issue salience are more mixed, but not less interesting.
National Sovereignty vs. International Cooperation: Policy Choices in Trade‐Off Situations
Authors: Emmenegger Patrick , Häusermann Silja , Walter Stefanie
Published: December 2018

The trade‐off between international cooperation gains and national sovereignty has become increasingly salient in recent years. This paper examines how voters assess this trade‐off in Switzerland, focusing on the choice between the economic benefits of EU integration versus sovereign immigration control. Using survey data, we identify voters for whom this choice is not clear, either because they are cross‐pressured (favouring Swiss‐EU bilateral treaties, while opposing increased immigration) or because they do not have clear preferences. We show that these are sizeable groups within the Swiss electorate and that in particular the potentially cross‐pressured mainly consist of politically mobilized, high‐income voters, supportive of right‐wing parties. Among the potentially cross‐pressured and voters with indistinct preferences, leaning towards the SVP strongly predicts a preference for immigration control over sustaining cooperation with the EU. Beyond this, our findings suggest that political variables have stronger explanatory power than individual‐level economic vulnerabilities in predicting choice.
Supply and Demand of Populism: A Quantitative Text Analysis of Cantonal SVP Manifestos
Authors: Storz Anna , Bernauer Julian
Published: December 2018

This article studies the heterogeneity of cantonal SVP branches in terms of populism and relates it to individual populist attitudes around the 2015 National Council elections. Quantitative text analysis of party manifestos delivers measures of populism for 24 cantonal branches of the SVP. These estimates are related to individual‐level 2015 Selects survey data. The results indicate that there is still a variety of populism between the different cantonal branches of the SVP, even after the split into two parties (BDP and SVP). Evidence for general correspondence between contextual populism (supply side) and individual‐level populist attitudes (demand side) is limited, but some patterns related to the existence of the BDP emerge.
National Election Studies: Valuable Data Machineries and their Challenges
Authors: Kritzinger Sylvia
Published: December 2018

National election studies have become important data machineries for social science research in general and for electoral research in particular. In this note I will focus on the aims, consequences and challenges of national election studies by considering recent methodological developments with regards to both the data collection efforts and the type of data that is collected. I will then consider some of the institutional constraints national elections studies face to date and its repercussions on funding opportunities. I will do so by highlighting the Swiss national election study (Selects) and the Austrian National Election Study (AUTNES) – two election studies that collect comprehensive data on elections, provide a wide selection of data points that are freely available and can be used for single country as well as comparative research projects.
Introduction to the Special Issue “The 2015 Swiss National Elections”
Authors: Giger Nathalie , Rennwald Line , Tresch Anke
Published: December 2018

This special issue brings together a large variety of contributions dealing with party choice, political attitudes and the dynamics of electoral campaigns in Switzerland. The introduction places the contributions in the broader framework of current debates in the international literature and highlights substantial and methodological innovations. The articles in this volume address central issues of the literature dealing with the two‐dimensional structure of political competition, take up key questions of the dynamics of election campaigns, and finally echo a large interest for the topic of populism, not only on the side of the parties but also on the side of the voters. The introduction also underlines the new and innovative ways in which the articles link the different datasets together in order to address substantial questions on the complexity of the environment in which voters form their choice and political parties operate during an election campaign.
Prediction of rainfall runoff‐induced sediment load from bare land surfaces by generalized regression neural network and empirical model
Authors: Tayfur Gokmen , Aksoy Hafzullah , Eris Ebru
Published: December 2018

Based on three rainfall run‐off‐induced sediment transport data for bare surface experimental plots, the generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and empirical models were developed to predict sediment load. Rainfall intensity, slope, rainfall duration, soil particle median diameter, clay content of the soil, rill density and soil particle mass density constituted the input variables of the models while sediment load was the target output. The GRNN model was trained and tested. The GRNN model was found successful in predicting sediment load. Sensitivity analysis by the GRNN model revealed that slope and rainfall duration were the most sensitive parameters. In addition to the GRNN model, two empirical models were proposed: (1) in the first empirical model, all the input variables were related to the sediment load, and (2) in the second empirical model, only rainfall intensity, slope and rainfall duration were related to the sediment load. The empirical models were calibrated and validated. At the calibration stage, the coefficients and the exponents of the empirical models were obtained using the genetic algorithm optimization method. The validated empirical models were also applied to two more experimental data sets: (1) one data set was from a field experiment, and (2) one set was from a laboratory experiment. The results indicated the success of the empirical models in predicting sediment load from bare land surfaces.
Cultural conceptualizations of Chinese zodiac animals in Chinese English
Authors: Xu Zhichang , Sharifian Farzad
Published: December 2018

World Englishes as a discipline has developed more than half a century of research and practice. It is closely connected with such other disciplines as applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and applied cultural linguistics. In this paper, we adopt a holistic analytical framework drawing upon world Englishes and applied cultural linguistics with reference to lexical borrowing, semantic variation, and cultural conceptualizations to unpack the culturally‐embedded meanings underlying the twelve Chinese zodiac animals. In particular, we explore the cultural meanings of creative expressions that use dragon and horse in Chinese English, for example, the dragon horse spirit, by analysing qualitative data collected through semi‐structured interviews.
Ciprofloxacin resistance among Campylobacter jejuni isolates obtained from shelter dogs in Texas
Authors: LaLonde‐Paul Denise , Cummings Kevin J. , Rodriguez‐Rivera Lorraine D. , Wu Jing , Lawhon Sara D.
Published: December 2018

There are few epidemiologic studies on the shedding of Campylobacter among dogs in the United States, despite the potential public health implications. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of faecal Campylobacter shedding among Texas shelter dogs as detected by culture methods and to characterize the isolates by species and antimicrobial susceptibility. Using a cross‐sectional study design, faecal samples were collected from 185 dogs in six animal shelters throughout Texas between May and December 2014. Four culture methods were used to isolate Campylobacter from samples, and isolates were characterized. The prevalence of Campylobacter shedding was 45.4% (84/185; 95% CI, 38.1%–52.9%). Of 294 isolates from the 84 positive dogs, 26 (8.8%) isolates from seven dogs were identified as Campylobacter jejuni. Two of the isolates from one dog demonstrated resistance to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Direct plating on mCCDA‐CAT agar without enrichment identified the highest number of positive dogs (62%; 52/84). Incidence of ciprofloxacin‐resistant Campylobacter infections among humans has increased over the last several years. Canine shedding of Campylobacter is a potential source of zoonotic transmission.
Convergencia a Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad para el Sector Público (Nicsp): comparativo de los modelos de Colombia y Chile
Authors: Velásquez Graciano Oscar Darío , Pérez Morales José Vidal
Published: December 2018

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo exteriorizar los adelantos que se vienen generando en algunos países de Latinoamérica, especialmente en Colombia y Chile, con el proceso de convergencia a las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera para el Sector Público (Nicsp), expedidas por el Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad del Sector Público (International Public Accounting Standards Board/Ipsasb), de la Federación Internacional de Contadores (International Federation of Accountants /IFAC), organismo responsable de expedir las normas contables para ese sector. Los garantes de esos cambios normativos, en el caso colombiano, son el Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público, por intermedio de la Unidad Administrativa de la Contaduría General de la Nación; y en el de Chile, la Contraloría General de la República de Chile. Para el logro del objetivo se utilizará la información legal y contable de los organismos reguladores de cada país, artículos relacionados con Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad para el Sector Público y el portal de la IFAC, entre otros.
La auditoría interna como herramienta de gestión para el control en los gobiernos autónomos descentralizados de la provincia de Morona Santiago
Authors: López Jara Ana Alexandra , Cañizares Roig Marlene , Mayorga Díaz Mónica Patricia
Published: December 2018

El control interno provee de una seguridad razonable a las operaciones administrativas y financieras de las instituciones; en la discusión sobre modelos de respuesta a los riesgos se presenta el modelo de control interno Committee of Sponsoring Organizations, (COSO), seleccionado por garantizar lo siguiente: 1) cumplimiento de leyes y regulaciones; 2) confiabilidad en la información financiera, y 3) salvaguarda de activos. Esta investigación se orientó hacia la necesidad de evaluar comparativamente el control interno de las unidades de auditoría interna pertenecientes a los gobiernos autónomos descentralizados cantonales de la provincia de Morona Santiago y a conocer su influencia sobre el control de gestión institucional. Para efectos del estudio se empleó una muestra de nueve de los trece cantones de la provincia seleccionada; la metodología para obtener información de la gestión de las unidades de auditoría interna sobre el control institucional, se fundamentó en entrevistas a los directores administrativos y financieros, y en la aplicación de un cuestionario de evaluación del control interno dirigido a los auditores internos o a los responsables de esta área en una entidad. La conclusión fundamental indica que el cumplimiento de las instituciones públicas con las normas técnicas de control interno dispuestas por la Contraloría General del Estado, bajo supervisión de las unidades de auditoría interna, promueve garantías razonables para la consecución eficiente de sus objetivos.
Avaliação de Desempenho Organizacional: trajetória das pesquisas internacionais por meio de paradigmas e teorias
Authors: Abilio Martins Vinicius , Rolin Ensslin Sandra , Dutra Ademar
Published: December 2018

3 A pesquisa sobre Avaliação de Desempenho Organizacional (ADO) pode ser influenciada por diferentes paradigmas científicos, e analisada por diferentes teorias. Essa diversidade direciona a pluralidade de pensamentos na agregação de valor ao conhecimento científico. Nesse sentido, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo caracterizar a trajetória das pesquisas internacionais quanto aos paradigmas científicos e às teorias adotadas na área de ADO. Para orientar os procedimentos da pesquisa, o instrumento de intervenção Knowledge Development Process-Constructivist (Proknow-C) foi selecionado, o que formou o Portfólio Bibliográfico com 31 artigos de cunho teórico e 39 de cunho empírico. Os resultados permitem inferir que as pesquisas na área da ADO não evoluíram em função nem dos paradigmas científicos que as informaram nem das teorias adotadas. Grande parte dos estudos, por ser informados pela abordagem Positivista, não apresentam novas propostas para atender às demandas de negócios/sociais atuais, mas sim busca agrupar e apresentar, de forma cronológica, a trajetória histórica da área e das medidas/modelos/sistemas e as emergências dessas demandas. Embora a utilização de teorias com ‘olhares’ institucional e individual se fez presente, seu uso para a amplitude da ADO e sua consorciação com teorias advindas de outras áreas de conhecimento ainda são incipientes.
Un panorama del efecto Foucault en contabilidad y gestión pública temáticas, autores y retos de investigación desde la gubernamentalidad
Authors: Ocampo Salazar Carmen Alejandra
Published: December 2018

En este documento se presenta un panorama del efecto Foucault en contabilidad y gestión pública, con el fin de evidenciar temáticas, autores y vacíos de investigación desde los estudios en gubernamentalidad. La unidad de análisis fueron setenta textos seleccionados en una revisión sistemática de artículos publicados entre 2012 y 2016, en cinco de las principales revistas internacionales relacionadas con las disciplinas analizadas. Para la recolección de los datos y la codificación de la información se utilizó una matriz de Excel y el software de investigación cualitativa Atlas.ti, versión 7.5.16. La comprensión de la información se complementó con un método de análisis de frecuencia y un análisis de red. Dentro de los resultados se destacan cuatro ejes temáticos: la gestión calculada, el gobierno a distancia, la modernización del gobierno y la contabilidad de la ciudad. Además, los cinco autores que más han publicado en el tema: Dean Neu, Cameron Graham, Eric Pezet, Ingrid Jeacle y Peter Miller, así como las redes de cooperación entre países, dentro de los cuales se evidencia a Reino Unido y Canadá. También se identifica que el principal reto de investigación está en entender la contabilidad de las ciudades de las llamadas economías emergentes. Así, este artículo hace contribuciones importantes para la contaduría y la administración, en especial, se establecen herramientas teóricas para que los investigadores estudien la contabilidad y su incidencia en la gestión de las ciudades, desde la perspectiva de la gubernamentalidad, en aras de avanzar en este tópico que requiere de discusión en Latinoamérica para repensar las incidencias del cálculo contable y la gestión del ciudadano.
Direct Experimental Measurements of Heat Transfer Coefficient Augmentation Due to Approach Flow Effects
Authors: Anderson Joshua B. , Bogard David G. , Dyson Thomas E. , Webster Zachary
Published: December 2018

Film cooling can have a significant effect on the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) between the overflowing freestream gas and the underlying surface. This study investigated the influence of approach flow characteristics, including the boundary layer thickness and character (laminar and turbulent), as well as the approach flow Reynolds number, on the HTC. The figure of merit for this study was the HTC augmentation, that is, the ratio of HTCs for a cooled versus uncooled surface. A heated foil surface provided a known heat flux, allowing direct measurement of HTC and augmentation. The foil was placed both upstream and downstream of the film cooling holes, in order to generate an approaching thermal boundary layer, as representative of actual engine conditions. High-resolution IR thermography provided spatially resolved HTC augmentation data. An open-literature shaped-hole design was used, known as the 7-7-7 hole, in order to compare with existing results in the literature. A variety of blowing conditions were tested from M = 0.5 to 3.0. Two elevated density ratios of DR = 1.20 and DR = 1.80 were used. The results indicated that turbulent boundary layer thickness had a modest effect on HTC augmentation, whereas a very high level of augmentation was observed for a laminar approach boundary layer. The presence of upstream heating greatly increased the HTC augmentation in the near-hole region, although these effects died out by 10–15 diameters from the holes.
Manner and place differences in Kannada coronal consonants: Articulatory and acoustic results
Authors: Kochetov Alexei , Tabain Marija , Sreedevi N. , Beare Richard
Published: December 2018

This study investigated articulatory differences in the realization of Kannada coronal consonants of the same place but different manner of articulation. This was done by examining tongue positions and acoustic formant transitions for dentals and retroflexes of three manners of articulation: stops, nasals, and laterals. Ultrasound imaging data collected from ten speakers of the language revealed that the tongue body/root was more forward for the nasal manner of articulation compared to stop and lateral consonants of the same place of articulation. The dental nasal and lateral were also produced with a higher front part of the tongue compared to the dental stop. As a result, the place contrast was greater in magnitude for the stops (being the prototypical dental vs retroflex) than for the nasals and laterals (being apparently alveolar vs retroflex). Acoustic formant transition differences were found to reflect some of the articulatory differences, while also providing evidence for the more dynamic articulation of nasal and lateral retroflexes. Overall, the results of the study shed light on factors underlying manner requirements (aerodynamic or physiological) and how the factors interact with principles of gestural economy/symmetry, providing an empirical baseline for further cross-language investigations and articulation-to-acoustics modeling.
Copper in Wood Preservatives Delayed Wood Decomposition and Shifted Soil Fungal but Not Bacterial Community Composition
Authors: Lasota Sandra , Stephan Ina , Horn Marcus A. , Otto Wolfgang , Noll Matthias
Published: December 2018

Copper-containing rather than TRIQAC formulations are efficient wood preservatives irrespective of the origin and composition of the soil microbial communities. However, some fungi appear to be naturally insensitive to copper and should be the focus of future wood preservative formulations to facilitate the life span of wooden construction in contact with soil while also minimizing the overall environmental impact.
Protein Kinase A and High-Osmolarity Glycerol Response Pathways Cooperatively Control Cell Wall Carbohydrate Mobilization in
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: de Assis Leandro José , Manfiolli Adriana , Mattos Eliciane , Fabri João H. T. Marilhano , Malavazi Iran , Jacobsen Ilse D. , Brock Matthias , Cramer Robert A. , Thammahong Arsa , Hagiwara Daisuke , Ries Laure Nicolas Annick , Goldman Gustavo Henrique
Published: December 2018

Aspergillus fumigatus
is an opportunistic human pathogen causing allergic reactions or systemic infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, especially in immunocompromised patients. The fungal cell wall is the main component responsible for recognition by the immune system, due to the specific composition of polysaccharide carbohydrates exposed on the surface of the fungal cell wall called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Key enzymes in the fungal cell wall biosynthesis are a good target for fungal drug development. This report elucidates the cooperation between the HOG and PKA pathways in the mobilization of carbohydrates for fungal cell wall biosynthesis. We suggest that the reduced mobilization of simple sugars causes defects in the structure of the fungal cell wall. In summary, we propose that SakA is important for PKA activity, therefore regulating the availability and mobilization of monosaccharides for fungal cell wall biosynthesis during cell wall damage and the osmotic stress response.
The Meningococcal Cysteine Transport System Plays a Crucial Role in
Neisseria meningitidis
Survival in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Takahashi Hideyuki , Watanabe Haruo , Kim Kwang Sik , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Yanagisawa Tatsuo
Published: December 2018

Neisseria meningitidis
colonizes at a nasopharynx of human as a unique host and has many strains that are auxotrophs for amino acids for their growth. To cause invasive meningococcal diseases (IMD) such as sepsis and meningitis,
N. meningitidis
passes through epithelial and endothelial barriers and infiltrates into blood and cerebrospinal fluid as well as epithelial and endothelial cells. However, meningococcal nutrients, including cysteine, become less abundant when it more deeply infiltrates the human body even during inflammation, such that
N. meningitidis
has to acquire nutrients in order to survive/persist, disseminate, and proliferate in humans. This was the first study to examine the relationship between meningococcal cysteine acquisition and the pathogenesis of meningococcal infections. The results of the present study provide insights into the mechanisms by which pathogens with auxotrophs acquire nutrients in hosts and may also contribute to the development of treatments and prevention strategies for IMD.
Shedding Light on the Role of the Skin in Vaccine-Induced Protection against the Malaria Sporozoite
Authors: Daily Johanna Patricia
Published: December 2018

The most advanced vaccine against
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria, RTS,S/AS01, provides partial protection in infants and children living in areas of malaria endemicity. Further understanding its mechanisms of protection may allow the development of improved second-generation vaccines.
Effectiveness and safety of in vitro maturation of oocytes versus in vitro fertilisation in women with high antral follicle count: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vuong Lan N , Ho Vu N A , Ho Tuong M , Dang Vinh Q , Phung Tuan H , Giang Nhu H , Le Anh H , Pham Toan D , Wang Rui , Norman Rob J , Smitz Johan , Gilchrist Robert B , Mol Ben W
Published: December 2018

Introduction

In vitro maturation (IVM) is a potential alternative to conventional in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This is particularly relevant in women with a high antral follicle count (AFC) and/or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), who are at increased risk for OHSS. However, no randomised controlled trials of IVM versus IVF in women with high AFC have reported both pregnancy and OHSS rates. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of one IVM cycle and one IVF with segmentation cycle within women with PCOS or high AFC-related subfertility.

Methods and analysis

This randomised controlled trial will be conducted at a specialist IVF centre in Vietnam. Eligible subfertile women with PCOS and/or high AFC will be randomised to undergo either IVM or IVF. The primary outcome is live birth after the first embryo transfer of the started treatment cycle. Cycles in which no embryo is available for transfer will be considered as failures. The study has a non-inferiority design, with a maximal acceptable between-group difference of 5%. Rates of OHSS will also be reported.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the participating centre, and informed patient consent was obtained before study enrolment. Results of the study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT03405701; Pre-results.
Inpatients’ assessment of outcome at psychiatric institutions: an analysis of predictors following a national cross-sectional survey in Norway
Authors: Bjertnaes Oyvind , Iversen Hilde Hestad
Published: December 2018

Objectives

The objective was to assess the importance of different types of predictors for patient-reported outcome, both background factors at the patient level and healthcare predictors related to structure and processes of healthcare.

Design

Cross-sectional patient experience survey.

Setting

All 280 secondary care institutions in Norway providing inpatient care for adult psychiatric patients.

Participants

1683 inpatients responded to the questionnaire on-site (73.4%).

Primary outcome measures

The outcome scale of the Psychiatric Inpatient Patient Experience Questionnaire–On-Site was the primary dependent variable. The scale consists of five items relating to overall patient satisfaction, benefit of treatment and patient enablement. Regressions were used to assess predictors, for all patients and for five different patient groups reported by the patients including anxiety/depression, drug-related problems and eating disorders.

Results

Multilevel linear regression for all patients showed that background factors related to overall current state, self-perceived mental health before admission and admission type were the most important predictors for patient-assessed outcome. Poor current state was associated with poor assessment of outcome (estimate: 8.64, p<0.001), poor health before admission was associated with better outcome (estimate: −6.89, p<0.001) and patients with urgent admission had poorer scores on the outcome scale (estimate: 4.40, p<0.001). A range of structure and healthcare variables were related to patient-assessed outcome, the most important being clinicians/personnel understanding your situation, treatment adjusted to your situation and adequate information about mental health condition.

Conclusions

Self-perceived mental health before admission, current overall state and type of admission were the most important background factors for patient-assessed outcome. The most important structure and process variables were related to patient-centred interaction. The background factors should be considered in case-mix adjustments of quality indicators, while the process variables could be used as focus areas in work aiming to improve patients’ assessment of outcome.
Ensuring basic competency in chest tube insertion using a simulated scenario: an international validation study
Authors: Hertz Peter , Jensen Katrine , Abudaff Saleh N , Strøm Michael , Subhi Yousif , Lababidi Hani , Konge Lars
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Chest tube insertion can be associated with serious complications. A structured training programme is needed to minimise complications and enhance patient safety. Novices should pass a reliable test with solid evidence of validity before performing the procedure supervised on patients. The aim of this study was to establish a credible pass/fail standard.

Methods

We used an established assessment tool the Chest Tube Insertion Competency Test (TUBE-iCOMPT). Validity evidence was explored according to Messick’s five sources of validity. Two methods were used to establish a credible pass/fail standard. Contrasting groups’ method: 34 doctors (23 novices and 11 experienced surgeons) performed the procedure twice and all procedures were video recorded, edited, blinded and rated by two independent, international raters. Modified Angoff method: seven thoracic surgeons individually determined the scores that defined the pass/fail criteria. The data was gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results

Internal consistency reliability was calculated as Cronbach’s alpha to 0.94. The generalisability coefficient with two raters and two procedures was 0.91. Mean scores were 50.7 (SD±13.2) and 74.7 (SD±4.8) for novices and experienced surgeons, respectively (p<0.001). The pass/fail score of 62 points resulted in zero false negatives and only three false positives.

Discussion

We have gathered valuable additional validity evidence for the assessment tool TUBE-iCOMPT including establishment of a credible pass/fail score. The TUBE-iCOMPT can now be integrated in mastery learning programmes to ensure competency before independent practice.