bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Analysis of Grain Yield and its Components in Pearl Millet
Authors: Jakhar Dan Singh , Singh Rajesh , Singh Brijesh
Published: April 2017

The genetic analysis was carried out to determine mode of inheritance of yield and its contributing trait under two environments in irrigated and rainfed conditions. The study was undertaken with the help of six generations P1, P2, F1, F2, B1, and B2 in three crosses, viz, 863B x P 7-7 (1), 843B x P 7-4 (2), and 81B x ICMP 451 (3) of pearl millet in two environments Varanasi (Irrigated) (E1) and Mirzapur (Rainfed) (E2) using six generations. Simple additive-dominance model failed to explain the genetic variation of most of the characters. The estimates for mean and dominance were reduced in Rainfed environment of Mirzapur, though all type of digenic interactions were prevalent, the dominance x dominance gene effects with duplicate epistasis were pronounced. It is suggested that cyclic breeding particularly reciprocal recurrent selections should be practised to improve yield and its attribute traits in Pearl millet rather than going only for simple selections methods.
FINANCIAL CRISIS AND LOCAL BANKS: A REVIEW OF BANK-FIRM RELATIONSHIPS IN ITALY
Authors: Quintiliani Andrea
Published: April 2017

This paper focuses on bank-firm relationship in an economic deeply changing environment. The objectives of the paper are two-fold: to understand, compared to the overall banking system, if the lending activities and economic-financial performances of Italian local banks have changed after the outbreak of the financial crisis; and to understand what are the conditions that allow to develop a model of a local bank capable of supporting the development routes of SMEs, by an appropriate risk/return profile. In order to answer the first research question, the paper presented an empirical analysis, covering the period 2007-2011, of Italian Cooperative Credit Banks (a particular category of local banks) compared with the system of bank groups with operability spread over much of the Italian territory and not. The empirical comparative analysis has the aim to see the effects of the crisis on the relationship bank-firm through the reading of the impact on the dynamics of lending and on the profiles of structure, riskiness, profitability and efficiency of the banks under examination. In order to provide an answer to the second research question, the paper provides some insight of evolutionary nature reflection in the bank-firm relationship. In accordance with the doctrinal postulates of the relationship lending the empirical analysis shows how the financial then real crisis has not induced Cooperative Credit Banks to restrict credit to local firms. The survey evidences have however highlighted some critical elements that are reflected inevitably on the local bank’s risk-return profile. Based only on quantitative data of statement, the empirical analysis represents a limit in this kind of research. This paper is useful to stimulate the debate of experts as well as to focus on the studies of local banks in particular in the light of their anti-cyclic role. Even if abounding in subjects about local banks and relationship lending literature faces only marginally the effects of global crisis on business profiles of local banks.
Análisis comparado de los factores institucionales que impiden la reelección de los gobernadores argentinos*
Authors: Liendo Nicolás Alejandro
Published: April 2017

El objetivo de este artículo es explicar porqué la mayoría de los gobernadoresargentinos que reformaron las constituciones provinciales, ampliando laposibilidad de reelección, pudieron posteriormente alcanzar su objetivo deser reelectos, mientras otros gobernadores no pudieron lograrlo. Para ello,se procederá a identificar cuáles son los factores institucionales que impidenla reelección de esos gobernadores reformistas utilizando una metodologíacomparada cualitativa (QCA).
Producción de nuevas subjetividades en movimientos pentecostales. El caso de Mampuján
Authors: García-Leguizamón Fernando
Published: April 2017

La acción política de los movimientos pentecostales en Colombia es descritapor los analistas como una continuidad de prácticas tradicionales que conjugaelementos caudillistas y clientelistas. Desde esta óptica, la obra social dedichas agrupaciones tampoco muestra una proyección transformadora quevaya más allá de esfuerzos puntuales de corte asistencial. Diagnósticos quese ponen en entredicho ante la aparición de una interpretación del evangelioque, como se observa en la población de Mampuján, en el norte de Colombia,puede impulsar la organización social. En las circunstancias de violencia ydesplazamiento vividas por esta comunidad, el cambio de perspectiva éticaorientado por el “evangelio integral” impulsó la constitución de nuevos sujetospolíticos y sociales.
Recycle of gold mine tailings slurry into MCM-41 mesoporous silica with high specific surface area
Authors: Acaroglu Degitz , Sari Yilmaz , Piskin Sabriye
Published: April 2017

In this study, MCM-41 was prepared from the gold mine tailings slurry as an alternative silica source. The effects of the reaction time, temperature, and pH adjustments on the synthesis of MCM-41 were investigated. The optimum condition for the synthesis process of pure and highly ordered MCM-41 from tailings slurry was found to be at 30?C for 60 min with a pH of 11. In addition, MCM-41 was synthesized from a pure silica source, in order to compare the structural properties of the obtained sample from that of the slurry produced at optimum conditions. The samples synthesized from tailings slurry had a high surface area of 983 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.74 cm3/g. The structural properties of the samples produced from the slurry were closely related with those that were synthesized from a pure silica source. Results indicate that the tailings slurry has the potential to be used as a cheap, alternative silica source which can be used for the synthesis of a pure and ordered mesoporous silica MCM-41.
On cultural dialects in Slavic ethnolinguistics
Authors: Plotnikova Anna
Published: April 2017

In the article the author considers the basic ideas of the Moscow
ethnolinguistic school on the basis of several examples from the South
Slavic cultural dialects. The methods are similar to the technique of
isolating certain linguistic dialects and cultural dialects; much attention
is paid to justification of the concept ?cultural dialect.? Eastern Serbia
and western Bulgaria were taken as an example for the analysis of dialects
based on phonetic, grammatical features and those that are observed in folk
culture and which are reflected in its terminological vocabulary. Research
was carried out into one of the main arealogical regularities that is linked
to the interaction between cultural and language contexts of its functioning
(in the sphere of beliefs and rituals, in folklore texts - legends, stories
about encounters with supernatural beings, etc.). For example, ?bear?s day?
shows the areal scheme of concentric circles, according to which the central
place belongs to the terminological vocabulary, as far as the distance from
the center is concerned, there are only rituals and beliefs associated with
the ?bear? symbols of the holiday, and the wide range covers the extent of
the legend of St. Andrew riding a bear. The paper concludes with a
description of the geographic background in the ethnolinguistic dictionary
Slavic Antiquities, whose main purpose is a reconstruction of old Slavic
culture aided by the linguistic method of study of folk culture, i.e. the
study of verbal expressions for a number of cultural phenomena (lexical and
phraseological items).
On social femininatives in Serbian and other Slavic languages
Authors: Piper Predrag
Published: April 2017

Social femininatives, such as Serbian pevacica, uciteljica, upravnica,
available in all Slavic languages, have in recent decades become a subject of
language policy based on political correctness in the field of gender
relations. As part of this language policy, the requirement is put forward of
creating feminine neologisms in respect of each masculine noun, designating a
profession or social status. The use of the ideological and political
criteria in order to change the grammatical structure of the language is
typical of more or less all modern Slavic literary languages. A common
feature of such language policy is their communicative and grammatical
groundlessness.
Adjectives meaning ‘curly’ in the Serbian language: On the material of the common Slavic linguistic atlas
Authors: Bjeletic Marta
Published: April 2017

This paper draws on etymological analysis of Serbian adjectives meaning
?curly?, registered in the material of the Common Slavic Linguistic Atlas
(the Personal Characteristics of Man volume). Those that can be traced back
to Pro to-Slavic prototypes (kokorav, kudrav, kustrav) have no clear and/or
in disputable etymology. The same is true of the adjectives of uncertain Pro
to-Slavic antiquity (cecerav, grguljav). The se forms are evidently
expressive, which is indicated by their variants (cecurav, cicurav; gregurav,
grgurav), and the expressive lexicon is a language domain where no single
etymological solution is absolutely reliable. Some of the adjectives analysed
result from formal and semantic contaminations, which obscures their original
structures (cecverast, ckogrtljav, kekerast, kovrdzav, kvrcav). The most
transparent among them are deverbals (cupav, frckan, grckav, vrtkav),
although not all of the respective verbs have generally accepted
interpretations at the Proto-Slavic level. The concepts lying at the basis of
motivation models, realised by adjectives meaning ?curly?, include the
following: ?to tear, pull apart? (cupav, kudrav), ?to bend? (kustrav),
?something bent, knotty? (grguljav), ?to turn, shake? (frckav, kovrcav,
vrtkav), ?to contract? (grckav, kvrcav), ?something raised, sticking out?
(cecerav, cecverast, kekerast, kokorav). However, the final conclusions about
the antiquity and distribution of the particular lexemes, onomasiological
tendencies and potential lexical isoglosses can be reached only through an
analysis of the complete Slavic material, which will be available after the
publication of the mentioned volume of the CSLA.
“Transparency” in Accounting and Corporate Governance: Making Sense of Multiple Meanings
Authors: Stein Mitchell J. , Salterio Steven E. , Shearer Teri
Published: April 2017

Calls for greater transparency of accounting and financial information in the aftermath of Enron and other accounting scandals appeared to offer the opportunity for greater public accountability within financial reporting. Our analysis however suggests that different emergent meanings from various groups such as senior managers, investors, regulators, and other gatekeepers were associated with these calls, indicating an underlying “taken for grantedness” concerning the need for increased transparency. We examine these emergent meanings of transparency and their effects on broader issues of accountability within financial reporting. Our analysis, employing sensemaking, shows the mobilization of “transparency” to construct meanings to make sense of and rationalize complex, ambiguous, and uncertainty events around the accounting scandals and the subsequent financial crises. This meaning construction permitted action that “restored” confidence in financial markets and in doing so served the interests of senior managers who defined their own public accountability. Our analysis also suggests that accountants and regulators need to provide higher forms of sensegiving around such crises to offer alternatives to senior managers' accounts of transparency and financial reporting.
The Effect of Injunctive Social Norms and Dissent on Budget Reporting Honesty
Authors: Altenburger Martin
Published: April 2017

Research in budgeting suggests that contextual factors may have a considerable influence on budget reporting honesty. Therefore, the present study investigates managers' honesty in the presence of different social norms. While there are several studies that look at the impact of descriptive social norms (what one actually does) on managerial honesty, injunctive social norms (what one ought to do) have not received a lot of attention in the literature. As concrete actions of peers are rarely observable in the budgeting process, this study focuses on the effect of injunctive norms for honesty/opportunism on budget reporting honesty. Moreover, the role of dissenters from the norm is investigated. The results from a laboratory experiment suggest that injunctive norms can have a considerable influence on managers' budget reporting behavior because many people conform to the preferences of their peer group. However, the effect of injunctive norms decreases substantially when there are minorities that show alternative preferences. With the use of the experimental data, the expected firm profit is calculated under different contracts. As the managers show considerable levels of honesty, a trust contract should be preferred compared to a hurdle contract, which is derived from conventional economic theory. Companies should therefore consider injunctive norms as a possible device to positively affect their managers' honesty and the respective firm profit.
Mapping Quantitative Management Accounting Research 2002–2012
Authors: Herschung Florian , Mahlendorf Matthias D. , Weber Jürgen
Published: April 2017

Following the approach of Luft and Shields (2003), this article provides a summary graphic representation (maps) of the quantitative evidence in management accounting research published from 2002 to 2012. These maps display variables, causal links, and levels of analysis for 257 studies. We allocate these studies to six maps and 29 individual sub-maps, thus providing an easily accessible overview of the quantitative evidence in management accounting. We compare our results to those provided by Luft and Shields (2003) and find that research interest in empirical quantitative management accounting has increased substantially. Additionally, the complexity of the tested models has increased. However, the maps also reveal a scarcity of replications and thus potential issues that call into question the robustness of results. Finally, we exemplify how our maps can identify research gaps and inspire future research. For example, we show how the graphical representation of combined evidence from multiple studies reveals competitive mediations that have not been explicitly tested in any individual study and that require more research.

JEL Classifications: M40; M41.
Creativity Research in Management Accounting: A Commentary
Authors: Speckbacher Gerhard
Published: April 2017

Building on the insights from the case studies presented by Cools, Stouthuysen, and Van den Abbeele (2017) and Davila and Ditillo (2017) as well as existing literature on creativity, several suggestions for future creativity research in management accounting are made. Pointing at research in psychology and sociology, I suggest using more context-specific definitions and theories of creativity, and focusing on its process perspective. While the widely assumed tension between creativity and control is primarily driven by the “creativity maximization fallacy” and by the use of broad brush concepts of creativity and control, studying how management control systems influence the creative process of divergent and convergent thinking seems a promising task for management accounting researchers. Finally, creativity in organizations is typically a team sport and thus the relation between leadership, management control, and creativity in teams seems particularly interesting.
An Exome-Chip Association Analysis in Chinese Subjects Reveals a Functional Missense Variant of GCKR That Regulates FGF21 Levels
Authors: Cheung Chloe Y.Y. , Tang Clara S. , Xu Aimin , Lee Chi-Ho , Au Ka-Wing , Xu Lin , Fong Carol H.Y. , Kwok Kelvin H.M. , Chow Wing-Sun , Woo Yu-Cho , Yuen Michele M.A. , Cherny Stacey S. , Hai JoJo , Cheung Bernard M.Y. , Tan Kathryn C.B. , Lam Tai-Hing , Tse Hung-Fat , Sham Pak-Chung , Lam Karen S.L.
Published: April 2017

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is increasingly recognized as an important metabolic regulator of glucose homeostasis. Here, we conducted an exome-chip association analysis by genotyping 5,169 Chinese individuals from a community-based cohort and two clinic-based cohorts. A custom Asian exome-chip was used to detect genetic determinants influencing circulating FGF21 levels. Single-variant association analysis interrogating 70,444 single nucleotide polymorphisms identified a novel locus, GCKR, significantly associated with circulating FGF21 levels at genome-wide significance. In the combined analysis, the common missense variant of GCKR, rs1260326 (p.Pro446Leu), showed an association with FGF21 levels after adjustment for age and sex (P = 1.61 × 10−12; β [SE] = 0.14 [0.02]), which remained significant on further adjustment for BMI (P = 3.01 × 10−14; β [SE] = 0.15 [0.02]). GCKR Leu446 may influence FGF21 expression via its ability to increase glucokinase (GCK) activity. This can lead to enhanced FGF21 expression via elevated fatty acid synthesis, consequent to the inhibition of carnitine/palmitoyl-transferase by malonyl-CoA, and via increased glucose-6-phosphate–mediated activation of the carbohydrate response element binding protein, known to regulate FGF21 gene expression. Our findings shed new light on the genetic regulation of FGF21 levels. Further investigations to dissect the relationship between GCKR and FGF21, with respect to the risk of metabolic diseases, are warranted.
The Nature of Accounting and Finance Research
Authors: Paterson Audrey , Jackson William , Sherif Moh , MacIntosh Robert , Caldwell Nigel
Published: April 2017

In this introductory chapter, we begin by considering what constitutes research. This is then followed by a general discussion of knowledge production and the skills required of accounting and finance researchers. Novice researchers are often bamboozled by the variety of research methods, methodologies and philosophical pathways open to them; moreover, terminology can often be inconsistent, which adds further confusion. In order to minimise confusion, we have included an overview of the philosophical traditions of accounting and finance research. We then address the nature of accounting and finance research more broadly, highlighting topical areas of research, before turning our attention to various aspects of the research process and the specific skills required when conducting a project in this area.
Methods and Techniques for Qualitative Data Gathering
Authors: Ogharanduk Bridget , Jubb Darren , Lochrie Sean , Curran Ross , O'Gorman Kevin D
Published: April 2017

This chapter discusses three main methods for gathering qualitative data. These methods are interviews, focus group discussions and ethnography. Important steps and procedures for gathering qualitative data using these methods are highlighted with examples to enable users to conduct their own data gathering. The chapter also provides potential challenges that users may encounter while using these methods and suggestions to manage these challenges or minimise the effect on the data and overall research findings.
Formulating a Research Project
Authors: Denedo Mercy , MacLaren Andrew , Hill Emma
Published: April 2017

This chapter provided critical insights into how research ideas in Accounting and Finance could be formulated. We begin the chapter by considering where to generate research ideas and it was followed by how to critically contextualise the research ideas within prior literature to establish the gaps in research. Furthermore, this chapter addressed how the research ideas should contribute to the partially or already established conversation in the Accounting and Finance discipline by illustrating how it should be conducted to address the gaps in prior research, thereby creating a research space for the ideas formulated. Finally, this chapter addressed how the research ideas should fit together through a well-structured research proposal to enable potential researchers to conceptualised and understand what they are expected to do for their dissertation.
La generación de ambientes de aprendizaje: un análisis de la percepción juvenil
Authors: Espinoza Núñez Leonor Antonia , Rodríguez Zamora René
Published: April 2017

En este artículo se presenta un análisis cuyo objetivo es  identificar las características del ambiente de aprendizaje  desde la percepción de los jóvenes estudiantes de bachillerato a partir de  las necesidades escolares que garantizan el rendimiento académico y el desarrollo de competencias, considerando como principales atributos: , la interacción social, la normatividad, los recursos y la práctica docente.El ambiente de aprendizaje entendido  en su complejidad sumando todos los componentes que lo integran, desde sus actores principales maestro y alumno y  las actividades que desarrollan en una dinámica de interacción, las estrategias y los recursos que se utilizan para involucrar el contexto partiendo del conocimiento previo, el construir y compartir objetivos métodos y planes, todo ello con la intención  de generar nuevo conocimiento,  requiere una visión que trasciende el espacio áulico, refiere al mundo de la interacción del sujeto que aprende con su contexto social y con su propia habilidad para entender el mundo.Se realizó  un estudio descriptivo explicativo con un  enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo considerando una muestra representativa de 267 jóvenes de bachillerato universitario. Se encontró que  la sociohabilidad entre coetáneos es una de las características más importantes para la generación de ambientes de aprendizaje, que no ha sido considerada por las figuras que representan a las autoridades institucionales educativas, en torno a estas se mostró una insatisfacción en su vínculo de comunicación directa y confianza, a mayor rango de responsabilidad menor contacto directo hay con los estudiantes. El contacto con sus autoridades implica la oportunidad de sentirse atendido y sobre todo comprometido en la aplicación de la norma, ello le fortalece además su sentido de pertenencia e identidad con la institución. Con respecto a la normatividad se observó en los resultados que es entendida como mecanismo de control sin un respectivo seguimiento, una práctica docente cuyas estrategias están desvinculadas al contexto cotidiano en  el que pueda enmarcar un aprendizaje útil y con sentido. Finalmente los resultados de este estudio pueden servir como referente para que las autoridades educativas consideren el potencial que representa el aspecto de la socialización de  los jóvenes en las diferentes dimensiones que conforman las condiciones para crear ambientes de aprendizaje acordes y pertinentes a las demandas estudiantiles.
Relíquias dos tempos pretéritos: a escrita da história das espacialidades e da cultura urbana da Cidade de Alagoas no oitocentos
Authors: Santos Magno Francisco de Jesus
Published: April 2017

Na segunda metade do século XIX, a Cidade de Alagoas era palco de algumas das mais pomposas manifestações católicas na província alagoana. A antiga capital de província, em períodos como o da Quaresma e, especialmente, da Semana Santa, transformava-se no centro aglutinador de diferentes segmentos sociais. Essas manifestações culturais se tornaram foco da atenção de viajantes e cronistas vinculados ao Instituto Arqueológico e Geográfico de Alagoas, que ao longo da segunda metade do século XIX, atuavam na escrita da história com o intuito de forjar um passado local. Neste artigo discutiremos os usos da tradição e da cultura urbana da Cidade de Alagoas pela historiografia alagoana do século XIX. A escrita da história dos costumes locais era tida como uma iniciativa de invenção do passado alagoano e de elucidação da dicotomia entre barbárie e civilização.
História ambiental urbana e mobilizações das ONGs de classe média contra a verticalização: o caso de Campina Grande, PB (1996-2015)
Authors: Aguiar José Otávio
Published: April 2017

Estuda-se neste artigo o processo de verticalização arquitetônica e urbana de Campina Grande (PB), com base na percepção de diferentes atores históricos de classe média que sobre ele desenvolveram reflexão e percepção sensível e mnemônica. Mas, particularmente, para além desse enfoque do processo em si, historiam-se os movimentos de mobilização ambientalista movidos por esses setores cultos da população que, em oposição e militância, procuraram impedi-lo ou regrar sua expansão desordenada que seguia as regras do mercado em seu afã de demolir, reconstruir e remodelar.
CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LESIONES LETALES DE LA LÍNEA MEDIA FACIAL EN PACIENTES DEL HOSPITAL ESCUELA UNIVERSITARIO, HONDURAS ENTRE 2011-2014
Authors: Santiago Antúnez Héctor , Díaz-Bonilla Vilma Díaz-Bonilla , Ortega-Galo Roger Josué , Aguilar-Espinoza Nohely María , Martínez-Núñez Cinthia Lizeth , Varela-Carranza Oscar José
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: Caracterizar lesiones letales de línea media facial, signos y síntomas frecuentes, género y procedencia de los pacientes, histopatología e inmunohistoquímica en base a registros médicos institucionales de HEU entre 2011 y 2014.La lesión letal de línea media es un síndrome que inicialmente engloba variadas entidades:Linfomas no Hogdkin de células NK y T, Linfomas no Hogdkin de células B, enfermedades autoinmunes como la Granulomatosis con Poliangeítis, muchas causas infecciosas e idiopáticas con destrucción acelerada y catastrófica de la región nasofaríngea, senos paranasales y septum nasal. Síndromes de difícil diagnóstico con enfoques terapéuticos muy distintos. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, con revisión de todos los registros de biopsias realizados en el departamento de Anatomía Patológica del HEU desde el año 2011 al 2014. Cumplen criterios de inclusión, 34 casos. Resultados: Mayor prevalencia de lesiones en hombres 59 %, dentro del rango de edad de 19 a 59 años, con predomino de la región central de Honduras. Signo más frecuente: masa obstructiva. Diagnóstico más consignado fue Linfoma No Hodgkin sin especificación. Conclusión: Frecuencia de lesiones letales de la línea media es mayor en varones, procedentes en sumayoría de región central, síntoma y signo más frecuentes son masa obstructiva con ulceración y la rinorrea purulenta; la utilización de marcadores de inmunohistoquímica es deficiente para definir los casos inespecíficos de Linfoma No Hodgkin Nasales.Palabras Clave: Granuloma Letal de la Línea Media; Linfoma No Hodgkin; Granulomatosis con Poliangeítis (Fuente DeCS BIREME)
CARACTERIZACIÓN DE VIOLENCIA DOMÉSTICA EN MUJERES MAYORES DE 16 AÑOS CON COMPAÑERO EN COMUNIDAD DE HONDURAS 2016
Authors: Chavarria-Mejia José , Calix-Pineda Detsey , Vasquez-Bonilla Walter Oqueli
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: Caracterizar la violencia doméstica y factores que condicionan la misma en las mujeres mayores de 16 años con compañero en El Porvenir, San Nicolás de Copán, Honduras, abril 2016. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional cuantitativo de corte transversal. La población consistió en 153 mujeres mayores de 16 años con compañero, se seleccionó la comunidad mediante el método no probabilístico por conveniencia, la muestra se diseñó tomando como universo el total de mujeres mayores de 16 años y se seleccionó mediante el método probabilístico aleatorio sistemático. Resultados: Perfil de la mujer: el 79,1% tuvo algún tipo de violencia doméstica; 78,5% de las violentadas no se considera víctima de violencia pudiéndose deber a factores culturales; 39,67% presentó violencia económica; 29,75% tenía entre 31 a 40 años; 52,89% estaban casadas; 53,72% con primaria incompleta; 38,84% ama de casa; 59,50% sin ingreso económico; solo el 9,09% realizó denuncia. Perfil de la pareja: 23.97% tenía 24 a 30 años, 37.2% con primaria incompleta, 33.88% agricultor, 61.16% sin ingreso económico, 83.47% no consume alcohol. Conclusión: La violencia doméstica en Honduras reviste diversas formas de presentación, involucra múltiples factores: socioeconómicos, culturales, religiosos y representa un grave problema social con graves consecuencias en donde las mujeres viven la violencia de manera duplicada como habitantes y como mujeres expuestas y pareciera imponerse como estrategia para resolver conflictos.Palabras claves: violencia doméstica, violencia contra la mujer, familia. (DeCS)
Ascaris lumbricoides Y OTROS ENTEROPARÁSITOS EN NIÑOS DE UNA COMUNIDAD INDÍGENA DEL ESTADO BOLÍVAR, VENEZUELA
Authors: Nastasi-Miranda José , Blanco Ytalia , Aray Rosangela , Rumbos Erika , Vidal-Pino María , Volcán Isis
Published: April 2017

Introducción: Las parasitosis intestinales son un problema de salud pública que sigue afectando de manera importante los países de las zonas tropicales y subdesarrolladas donde los niños son un grupo muy propenso a este tipo de infección. Materiales y métodos: Se aplicó un estudio coproparasitológico para determinar la prevalencia de parasitosis intestinales en la Comunidad indígena Kumarakapai, (San Francisco de Yuruaní), Estado Bolívar, Venezuela, en octubre de 2015. Resultados:Se encontró una prevalencia general de parasitosis intestinales de 85.0 %, Ascaris lumbricoides fue el principal enteroparásito con 60,2% afectando más a los niños de menor edad y a las de sexo femenino sin diferencia significativa, asociándose principalmente con Blastocystis spp, siendo diarrea la principal manifestación clínica. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de parasitosis intestinales en esta población es alta, se recomienda seguir realizando este tipo de investigaciones en diferentes comunidades rurales, indígenas o no, para resaltar el impacto de estas infecciones en niños y las consecuencias que esto conlleva.Palabras Clave: Ascaris lumbricoides; Blastocystis spp; parasitosis intestinales; prevalencia; indígenas. (Fuente DeCS BIREME)
ALTERACIÓN DE PRUEBAS DE FUNCIÓN HEPÁTICA EN RATAS TRAS CONSUMO DE REFRESCO DE COLA
Authors: Guzmán-Priego Crystell Guadalupe , Albarran-Melzer Jorda Aleiria , Estrella- Gómez Rebeca , Quevedo-Tejero Elsy del Carmen , Baeza-Flores Guadalupe del Carmen
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: Determinar cuáles son las alteraciones bioquímicas por el consumo crónico de refresco de cola en ratas tipo Wistar. Método: Diseño experimental, analítico. Se formaron dos grupos de 10 animales cada uno, el grupo control tuvo una dieta diaria de 12 a 15 gr. de alimento por cada 100 gr. de peso y de 10 a 12 ml de agua purificada al día por cada 100 gr. de peso y al grupo experimental se le proporcionó la misma cantidad de alimento y de 10 a 12 ml de refresco de cola al día por cada 100 gr de peso. Se extrajo muestra sanguínea, y finalmente los resultados se obtuvieron a través de medidas de tendencia central, dispersión y Prueba de T de Student.Resultados: Los animales con consumo de refresco de cola registraron una alteración de todos los parámetros analizados.Palabras clave: pruebas de función hepática; hígado graso; ácidos grasos; enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico (Fuente DeCS BIREME)
Resimli hikaye kitaplarında yer alan oyuncakların incelenmesi
Authors: Dilek Aytaç
Published: April 2017

Çocukların inanç ve bakış açılarının gelişiminde onu çevreleyen tüm diğer uyaranlar gibi kitapların da önemi büyüktür. Kitaplarla çocuğa sunulan açık ve alt mesajlar çocuğun dünyaya ilişkin bakış açısı ve duruşunu etkilemektedir. Bu çalışma, 3-6 yaş çocuklara yönelik olarak resimli hikâye kitaplarında resim edilen veya metin içinde gösterilen oyuncakların belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu araştırma nitel bir çalışmadır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden İçerik analizi yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada 200 resimli hikâye kitabı incelenmiş içlerinden oyuncak kavramı bulunan 28 kitap veri setini oluşturmuştur. Araştırma 3-6 yaş resimli öykü kitapları ve 2015 eylül ayından önce yazarın yayınlanan kitaplarıyla sınırlıdır. Araştırmada veri toplama amacıyla literatür taramasında oyuncak kavramı ve türlerinin belirlenmesiyle oluşturulmuştur. Resimler incelendiğinde en fazla temsili oyuncaklara yer verilmiş ve temsili oyuncaklardan dolgu oyuncaklara yer verilmiştir. Dolgu oyuncaklarda daha çok hayvanları simgeleyen oyuncaklar yer almıştır. Ayrıca daha çok kahramanlar arasında daha çok kızlar tarafından oynandığına rastlanmıştır. Yer değiştirme oyuncaklarında verilen örneklere bakıldığında erkek çocuklar tarafından kullanıldığı resimlendirilmiştir.
Okul öncesi dönem çocuklarının ebeveynlerinin akıllı sembol kullanımı ve televizyondan koruma yöntemleri
Authors: Banko Çağla , İlhan Tülay , Şallı Fatime
Published: April 2017

Bu çalışmanın amacı 3-6 yaş arası çocuğu olan annelerin akıllı sembolleri bilme ve kullanma düzeyleri ile çocuklarını televizyonun zararlı etkilerinden nasıl koruduklarını tespit etmektir. Araştırmanın nicel bölümü 3-6 yaş arasında çocuğu olan 130 annenin katılımıyla oluşturulmuştur. Nitel bölümde ise 8 anneden elde edilen veriler dikkate alınmıştır. Nicel ve nitel yöntemler kullanılan bu çalışmada katılımcılara anket ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu uygulanmıştır. Nicel verilerin değerlendirilmesinde ANOVA, t-testi kullanılmıştır. Ebeveynlerin farkındalık düzeyleri ile sembol kullanım düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki korelasyon analizi ile bulunmuştur. Nitel veriler ise içerik analizi yapılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgularda ise katılımcıların ‘olumsuz örnek oluşturabilecek davranışlar’ sembolü dışındaki sembolleri genellikle bildikleri tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, katılımcıların akıllı sembolleri kullanma ve çocuklarını yönlendirme düzeylerinin de genellikle yüksek olduğu saptanmıştır. Araştırma değişkenlerinden sadece eğitim durumu değişkeninin etkili olduğu bulunmuştur. Post-Hoc testi sonucunda katılımcıların eğitim düzeyleri ile yönlendirme ve farkındalık düzeyleri arasında olumlu yönde ilişki olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Nitel görüşmeler sonucunda ailelerin televizyonu daha çok eğlence ve eğitim amacıyla kullandıkları, televizyonun olumsuz örnek davranışlar oluşturduğunu düşündükleri ve çocuklarını televizyonun olumsuz etkilerinden kontrollü izleterek koruduklarını belirtmişlerdir.
A Framework for Analysis of Connectivity and Performance Bounds in Ad Hoc Networks and Its Application to a Slotted-ALOHA Scenario
Authors: Granelli Fabrizio
Published: April 2017

In this paper, a framework is proposed to analyse theproblems of connectivity and performance in ad-hoc networks through an analytical approach. To this aim, available results regarding the application of percolation theory to the study of connectivity in ad-hoc networks are exploited jointly with communication theory models in order to derive the configuration of network parameters that ensures long range connectivity among nodes and the corresponding available capacity on the wireless medium. The framework is then applied to a slotted ALOHA ad-hoc network. Theoretical and numerical results validate the approach and allow the derivation of interesting design principles for ad-hoc networks that consider the impact ofphysical and MAC-level parameters on network connectivity and end-to-end performance.
Power Constrained Space-Time Processing for Suppression of Electromagnetic Fields
Authors: Hult Tommy , Mohammed Abbas
Published: April 2017

Active suppression of noise and vibrations is a well established field of research with many applications in acoustic and mechanical industries. In this paper we investigate the possibility of applying these adaptive active control methods with the aim of lowering the electromagnetic power density at a specific volume in space using the superposition principle and space-time processing employing the full MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna system setup. The application that we evaluated is a model of a mobile phone equipped with one ordinary transmitting antenna and two actuator-antennas whichpurpose is to cancel out the electromagnetic field at the human head while maintaining a predefined level of the overall output power of the system. This power control is achieved through the use of a quadratic constraint on the active control algorithm. Simulation results show the promise of using the adaptive control algorithms and MIMO system to attenuate the electromagnetic field power density.
Risk factors governing the development of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis after craniotomy in patients with intracranial tumors
Authors: Gessler Florian , Bruder Markus , Duetzmann Stephan , Tritt Stephanie , Bernstock Joshua D. , Seifert Volker , Senft Christian
Published: April 2017

OBJECTIVE

Neurosurgical intervention may increase the risk of developing cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT). The clinical management of CVT in postoperative patients remains unclear. This retrospective study explores the disease occurrence, associated risk factors, and outcomes in patients with tumors who developed CVT after craniotomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis and review of patient records in those who had undergone cranial tumor removal within the authors' neurosurgical department was performed. In so doing, the authors identified a cohort of patients who developed CVT postoperatively. The study included patients who presented to the department between January 2004 and December 2013.

RESULTS

Of 2286 patients with intracranial lesions who underwent craniotomy, 35 (1.5%) went on to develop CVT. The authors identified the semisitting position (OR 7.55, 95% CI 3.73–15.31, p < 0.001); intraoperative sinus injury (OR 1.5, 95% CI 3.57–15.76, p < 0.001); and known CVT risk factors (OR 7.77, 95% CI 2.28–21.39, p < 0.001) as predictors of CVT development. Of note, 19 patients (54.3%) had good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale Score 0–1), whereas 9 patients (25.7%) had suffered dependency or death (modified Rankin Scale Score 4–6) at last follow-up. Intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 21.27, 95% CI 1.59–285.01, p = 0.02) and delayed delivery of an intermediate dose of low-molecular-weight heparin anticoagulation (OR 24.12, 95% CI 2.08–280.13, p = 0.01) were associated with unfavorable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a minority of patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor removal develop CVT, and the majority of those who do develop CVT recover well. Early administration of an intermediate dose of low-molecular-weight heparin anticoagulation might be considered once CVT is diagnosed.
Endonasal endoscopic pituitary surgery in the elderly
Authors: Wilson Peter J. , Omay Sacit B. , Kacker Ashutosh , Anand Vijay K. , Schwartz Theodore H.
Published: April 2017

OBJECTIVE

Pituitary adenomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that cause symptoms either through mass effect or hormone overproduction. The decision to operate on a healthy young person is relatively straightforward. In the elderly population, however, the risks of complications may increase, rendering the decision more complex. Few studies have documented the risks of surgery using the endonasal endoscopic approach in a large number of elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to audit a single center's data regarding outcomes of purely endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas in elderly patients and to compare them to the current literature.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively acquired database of all endonasal endoscopic surgeries done by the senior authors was queried for patients aged 60–69 years and for those aged 70 years or older. Demographic and radiographic preoperative data were reviewed. Outcomes with respect to extent of resection and complications were examined and compared with appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS

A total of 135 patents were identified (81 aged 60–69 years and 54 aged 70 years or older [70+]). The average tumor diameter was slightly larger for the patients in the 70+ age group (mean [SD] 25.7 ± 9.2 mm) than for patients aged 60–69 years (23.1 ± 9.8 mm, p = 0.056). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss (p > 0.99), length of stay (p = 0.22), or duration of follow-up (p = 0.21) between the 2 groups. There was a 7.4% complication rate in patients aged 60–69 years (3 nasal and 3 medical complications) and an 18.5% complication rate in patients older than 70 years (4 cranial, 3 nasal, 1 visual, and 2 medical complications; p = 0.05 overall and 0.013 for cranial complications). Cranial complications in the 70+ age category included 2 postoperative hematomas, 1 pseudoaneurysm formation, and 1 case of symptomatic subdural hygromas.

CONCLUSIONS

Endonasal endoscopic surgery in elderly patients is safe, but there is a graded increase in complication rates with increasing age. The decision to operate on an asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patient in these age groups should take this increasing complication rate into account. The use of a lumbar drain or lumbar punctures should be weighed against the risk of subdural hematoma in patients with preexisting atrophy.
Implementation of interdisciplinary neurosurgery morning huddle: cost-effectiveness and increased patient satisfaction
Authors: Chan Alvin Y. , Vadera Sumeet
Published: April 2017

OBJECTIVE

Morning discharge huddles consist of multiple members of the inpatient care team and are used to improve communication and patient care and to facilitate patient flow through the hospital. However, the effect of huddles on hospital costs and patient satisfaction has not been clearly elucidated. The authors investigated how a neurosurgeryled interdisciplinary daily morning huddle affected various costs of patient care and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

Huddles were conducted at 8:30 am Monday through Friday, and lasted approximately 30 minutes. The authors retrospectively looked at the average monthly costs per patient for a variety of variables (e.g., average ICU days, average step-down days, average direct cost, average laboratory costs, average pharmacy costs, hospital ratings, and hospital recommendations) and compared the results from before and after implementation of the huddle.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in the number of ICU days, average laboratory costs, and average pharmacy costs per patient after the huddle was implemented; decreased laboratory and pharmacy costs produced $1,408,047.66 in savings. There was no significant difference found for the average direct cost. The percentage of patients who rated the hospital as a 9 or 10 significantly increased. The percentage who answered “strongly agree” when asked whether they would recommend the hospital also significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONS

A short morning huddle consisting of key members of the inpatient team may result in substantial hospital savings derived from reduced ICU days and laboratory and pharmacy costs as well as increased patient satisfaction.
Aneurysm wall enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging as a risk factor for progression of unruptured vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms after reconstructive endovascular treatment
Authors: Zhang Yisen , Sui Binbin , Liu Jian , Wang Yang , Tian Zhongbin , Chen Junfan , Wu Zhongxue , Yang Xinjian
Published: April 2017

OBJECTIVE

The recurrence rate of vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs) after reconstructive endovascular treatment (EVT) is relatively high. The aneurysm wall enhancement on high-resolution MRI (HRMRI) reportedly predicts an unsteady state of an intracranial aneurysm. The authors used HRMRI to investigate the relationship between wall enhancement on HRMRI and progression of VBDAs after reconstructive EVT.

METHODS

From January 2012 to December 2015, patients with an unruptured VBDA who underwent reconstructive EVT were enrolled in this study. Preoperative enhanced HRMRI was performed to evaluate radiological characteristics. The relationships between aneurysm wall enhancement and various potential risk factors were statistically analyzed. Follow-up angiographic examination was performed with digital subtraction angiography and conventional HRMRI. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of VBDA progression after reconstructive EVT.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients (12 women and 70 men, mean age 53.48 ± 9.23 years) with 83 VBDAs were evaluated in the current study. The average maximum diameter of the VBDAs was 11.30 ± 7.90 mm. Wall enhancement occurred in 43 VBDAs (51.81%). Among all 83 VBDAs, 62 (74.70%) were treated by stent-assisted coil embolization and 21 (25.30%) by stenting alone. The mean duration of imaging follow-up among all 82 patients was 10.55 months (range 6–45 months), and 15 aneurysms (18.07%) exhibited progression. The statistical analysis indicated no significant differences in age, sex, risk factors (high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and a high cholesterol level), VBDA stage, or VBDA size between enhanced and unenhanced VBDAs. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that both the maximum diameter of the VBDAs and wall enhancement were associated with recurrence (p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that the maximum diameter of the VBDAs and wall enhancement on HRMRI were independent risk factors for aneurysm progression (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Aneurysm size and wall enhancement on HRMRI can predict the progression of VBDAs after reconstructive EVT.
Medical necessity of routine admission of children with mild traumatic brain injury to the intensive care unit
Authors: Ament Jared D. , Greenan Krista N. , Tertulien Patrick , Galante Joseph M. , Nishijima Daniel K. , Zwienenberg Marike
Published: April 2017

OBJECTIVE

Approximately 475,000 children are treated for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the US each year; most are classified as mild TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] Score 13–15). Patients with positive findings on head CT, defined as either intracranial hemorrhage or skull fracture, regardless of severity, are often transferred to tertiary care centers for intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring. This practice creates a significant burden on the health care system. The purpose of this investigation was to derive a clinical decision rule (CDR) to determine which children can safely avoid ICU care.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed patients with mild TBI who were ≤ 16 years old and who presented to a Level 1 trauma center between 2008 and 2013. Data were abstracted from institutional TBI and trauma registries. Independent covariates included age, GCS score, pupillary response, CT characteristics, and Injury Severity Score. A composite outcome measure, ICU-level care, was defined as cardiopulmonary instability, transfusion, intubation, placement of intracranial pressure monitor or other invasive monitoring, and/or need for surgical intervention. Stepwise logistic regression defined significant predictors for model inclusion with p < 0.10. The authors derived the CDR with binary recursive partitioning (using a misclassification cost of 20:1).

RESULTS

A total of 284 patients with mild TBI were included in the analysis; 40 (14.1%) had ICU-level care. The CDR consisted of 5 final predictor variables: midline shift > 5 mm, intraventricular hemorrhage, nonisolated head injury, postresuscitation GCS score of < 15, and cisterns absent. The CDR correctly identified 37 of 40 patients requiring ICU-level care (sensitivity 92.5%; 95% CI 78.5–98.0) and 154 of 244 patients who did not require an ICU-level intervention (specificity 63.1%; 95% CI 56.7–69.1). This results in a negative predictive value of 98.1% (95% CI 94.1–99.5).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors derived a clinical tool that defines a subset of pediatric patients with mild TBI at low risk for ICU-level care. Although prospective evaluation is needed, the potential for improved resource allocation is significant.