bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Corpus-based Analysis of Genre Specific Discourse: The Quantitative and Qualitative Academic Papers in the Field of the TEFL
Authors: Sabet Masoud Khalili , Minaei Roya
Published: April 2017

This study attempts to analysis the different parts of quantitative and qualitative research articles in the field of TEFL comparatively to present a convenient pattern for novice EFL students or researchers in a non-English context. Benefited from mix method, current study investigated the similarities and differences between the two genres-specific corpora. In order to induce accurate and creditable result, data-analyzing process was implemented through both computer-based programs and hand- tagged analysis. Fifty quantitative and qualitative TEFL research articles from high-ranking ELT journals were selected and then analyzed. Swales CARS model (2004) was considered as a framework of analysis. Moreover, interpreting of obtaining results from the vocabulary profile program, the readability statistics of two corpora, fulfilled through non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. The conducted results according to significant level of x < 0.5 or x = 0.05 demonstrated that the differences between quantitative and qualitative research articles from lexio-grammatical and rhetorical features were insignificant. On the contrary, move-structure analyzing of both genre indicated that there are some variation between some exercise of move-step structure. These findings may provide confirmatory and useful evidences for academic researchers in the EFL context.
Synthesis, growth and characterization of amino acid based semiorganic crystal bis-thiourea l-lysine monohydrochloride
Authors: Tamilselvi R. , Arunadevi K. , Sivavishnu D. , Ramadoss P.
Published: April 2017

Background: We report on synthesis, growth and characterization of Bis-thiourea L-lysine monohydrochloride (BTLM) crystal.

Methods: Bis-thiourea L-lysine momohydrochloride (BTLM) crystal were grown by solution growth method in the molar ratio 1:1 at room temperature.

Results: Transparent and defect free crystal of BTLM were harvested in the period of 40-45 days with dimension 7mm × 4mm × 2mm. Single crystal XRD analysis revealed that the crystal system belongs to Orthorhombic with cell parameters a= 14.41 Å, b= 5.89 Å and c= 15.52 Å. The sharp and well defined Bragg peaks observed in the powder XRD pattern confirm the crystalline nature of BTLM crystal. The presences of functional groups in the grown crystal BTLM were identified by FT-IR analysis. The fluorescence spectral study was carried out in the range of 280–500 nm. Second harmonic generation (SHG) of powdered BTLM sample was tested using Nd: YAG laser and is found to be 0.55 times that of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate. The mechanical strength of the BTLM crystal was evaluated and it describes that the Vickers hardness number of BTLM is found to be increase with the applied load. The work hardening co-efficient (n) has been calculated from the slope of straight line between log P and log d.  The dielectric study of BTLM was carried out as a function of frequency at different temperature.

Conclusions: From the result we confirm that the BTLM crystals have good physicochemical properties. So, the grown BTLM crystal was suitable candidate for nonlinear optical applications.
Cardiogenic shock as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Patra Lalat Barun , Mishra Asit Kumar
Published: April 2017

Childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare entity and comprise less than 20% of all cases of lupus. Prepubertal onset is even rarer as most cases are reported in adolescent age group. SLE is an immune-complex mediated disease with multiorgan involvement. We report a case of a 12 year old female child with cardiogenic shock, myocarditis and pyrexia. 
Intralesional steroid induced hypopigmentation- a case report
Authors: Singh Shailendra Vikram Jitendra , Bachaspatimayum Romita , Akham Subhalakshmi Devi , Sanjenbam Rita Devi
Published: April 2017

Ganglions are tense, smooth, fluctuant, cystic transilluminant swellings commonly found on the dorsum of the wrist, at the scapholunate articulation. Treatment modalities include aspiration, intralesional corticosteroids, surgical excision, etc. Hypopigmentation is one of the adverse effects associated with intralesional steroid therapy.  Here, we report a 21 years old male patient who came with an asymptomatic whitish patch on the left wrist after receiving triaminolone 40 mg injection at the same site for a ganglion.Case is being reported so as to create awareness of this benign condition amongst the treating physicians or surgeons.
STUDY OF IMPACT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON TOURISM BALANCE OF PAYMENT IN COUNTRIES WITH TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (VECTOR ERROR CORRECTION APPROACH)
Authors: Lamsso Mehdi Shirafkan , Masoomzadeh Sara
Published: April 2017

Exchange rate affects all economic aspects, including tourism balance of payment. The increase of exchange rate first worsens tourism balance of payments, then, after some period improves it. This path is called J-Curve. This article focuses on the impact of exchange rate on the balance of payment in selected countries of the premier tourist attractions in two groups of countries; countries with high and lower-middle per capita income in the period of 1995-2013 with VAR approach.The results show that there has been a J-curve in Sweden, South Africa, Bulgaria, Iran, and Egypt. However, that in other countries had not been approved. Also, variance decomposition of this in the countries studied shows that it was different from one country to another.
Differences in the Effect of Using Sterile Water for Irrigation and Normal Saline Washing to Peritoneal Adhesion Post-Laparotomy on White Rats
Authors: Octaviani Octaviani , Rahardjo Agus , Alifianto Untung , Anton Setya
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal adhesion is a side effect of abdominal surgery that often occurs. Many efforts were made in abdominal surgery to prevent or minimize the occurrence of this adhesion. One way to reduce the risk of bowel adhesions is through washing peritoneum method, so the differences in the use of washing solution on the incidence of adhesions after laparotomy surgery need to be investigated. The objective of this study is to determine differences in the effect of using sterile water and normal saline for washing irrigation to peritoneal adhesions after laparotomy in white rats.METHODS: This was an experimental study. Thirty-two sample of white rats were divided into two groups, group A and Group B, each group consists of 16 rats. Group A got washing using normal saline and group B got washing using sterile water for irrigation in laparotomy procedure to assess the peritoneal adhesion microscopically after relaparotomy. RESULTS: This study was conducted in April-May 2016. The founding of peritoneal adhesion after laparotomy in white rats using sterile water for irrigation in grade 1 were seven samples, grade 2 were five samples and grade 3 were four samples. Meanwhile, the founding of peritoneum adhesion after laparotomy using normal saline grade 1 are two samples, grade 2 are five samples, and grade 3 are nine samples. Statistically, significant differences were found (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Some risk factors can lead to adhesion, such as trauma surgery, tissue ischemia, infection blood and foreign body irritating. Intraperitoneal irrigation with sterile water for irrigation is better than the use of normal saline in preventing peritoneal adhesion.KEYWORDS: peritoneal adhesions, sterile water for irrigation, normal saline
The Correlation Between TP53 Expression and Ki-67 Proliferation with Bartl Malignancy Degree of Plasma Cell Neoplasm
Authors: Lestadi Isabelle Deli , Siregar Nurjati Chaerani , Wuyung Puspita Eka
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell neoplasm (PCN) is a neoplastic plasma cell proliferation which includes solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP), extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) and multiple myeloma (MM). Bartl classifies the degrees of PCN as low, intermediate and high. The aim of this study is to find the correlation between tumor suppressor gene p53 (TP53) expression and Ki-67 proliferation with Bartl malignancy degree of PCN. Therefore earlier PCN diagnostic method to prevent the development of PCN into MM can be found.METHODS: Thirty-two PCN cases were classified into three groups based on Bartl’s degrees of malignancy. TP53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining were performed on samples and the percentage of positivity was evaluated.RESULTS: The Bartl’s low degree of malignancy was found in 10 MM cases (31.2%), intermediate degree in  5 SBP cases (15.6%) and high in 2 SBP and EMP cases (6.2%). TP53 expression was obtainable at 4% of low, 16% of intermediate and 10% of high degree. There was a significant difference between TP53 expression in low and intermediate degree (p=0.004). Mean proliferation index of Ki-67 was 57% in low, 44.6% in intermediate, and 32.6% in high degree. There was no significant difference of Ki-67 proliferation indexes among the group (p=0.339).CONCLUSION: Increasing expression TP53 was in accord with Bartl’s degrees of malignancy, especially in low and intermediate degree, but there was no significant difference between Ki-67 proliferation index and Bartl’s degrees of malignancy.KEYWORDS: plasmacytoma, myeloma, TP53, Ki-67, Bartl classification
The Association between Cardiovascular Risk and Elevated Triglycerides
Authors: Sargowo Djanggan , Handayani Olivia
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND: The association between elevated triglycerides and cardiovascular risk has been extensively studied. The elevated level of triglycerides occurs through abnormalities in hepatic very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) production and intestinal chylomicron synthesis, dysfunctional lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-mediated lipolysis or impaired remnant clearance.CONTENT: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) commonly leads to a reduction in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and increase in atherogenic small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, called the atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD). Triglycerides may also stimulate atherogenesis by mechanisms, such excessive release of free fatty acids, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, fibrinogen, coagulation factors and impairment of fibrinolysis. Genetic studies strongly support hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and high concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) as causal risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, lipid management is crucial in reducing cardiovascular risk. Combination of lipid lowering drug therapy may be needed to achieve both LDL and non-HDL cholesterols treatment goal for cardiovascular disease prevention in patients with elevated triglyceride levels, particularly those with triglyceride ≥500 mg/dL.SUMMARY: LDL and non-HDL cholesterol can be a promising target therapy in HTG. Additional clinical outcomes data are needed to provide a more evidence-based rationale for clinical lipid management of hypertriglyceridemic patients.KEYWORDS: hypertriglyceridemia, non-HDL cholesterol, dyslipidemia, CV risk
Comparison of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 Concentration in Preeclampsia and Normal Pregnancy Women
Authors: Yusrawati Yusrawati , Aidina Dyka , Yerizel Eti
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND: According to the theory of endothelial dysfunction, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is associated with the imbalance of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) has also proposed as a proangiogenic factor that influences preeclampsia. This study was conducted to compare a mean difference of TGF-β1 between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.METHODS: This study was an observational crosssectional study with 25 subjects of pregnant women with preeclampsia and 25 subjects of normotensive pregnant women. The study was conducted in Dr. Reksodiwiryo Hospital, Bhayangkara Hospital, and Dr. Rasidin Hospital in Padang, Indonesia from October 2015 to January 2016. For the determination of TGF-β1 concentration, peripheral Abstract venous blood samples were taken. The blood samples wereanalyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in Biomedical Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University. The mean difference was statically analyzed by independent samples T-test.RESULTS: The mean difference of TGF-β1 was lower in preeclampsia group than normal pregnancy group (2.02±0.99 ng/mL vs. 3.24±2.67 ng/mL; p<0.05).CONCLUSION: The TGF-β1 concentration was lower in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Thus, it may have a role as a marker in preeclampsia.KEYWORDS: preeclampsia, normal pregnancy, transforming growth factor-beta1, TGF-β1
The use of marketing in human resource management
Authors: Durana Pavol , Chlebikova Darina
Published: April 2017

One of the decisive factors of the long-term functioning and effectiveness of any company business is human resources. The article discusses the approaches and insights on human resources management through the eyes of various authors and explains that human resources are not linked only to the field of management but also in areas such as planning, searching, selection, evaluation, motivation, training, remuneration and of course the release of human resources. The globalized market sharpens competition and human resources management can decide if the company stands on the side of winners. The aim of the article is to assess how companies in the Slovak economy cope with the challenges raised by human resources. Based on the realized survey aimed at identifying the current level of human resources management in organizations operating in Slovakia for the years 2010 - 2012 will analyze and evaluate the current status level of human resources. The gaps in research problems will be identified and will be provided recommendations for improvement of activities related to human resources and enhancing the competitive position of the company through personnel marketing tools. A personnel marketing is used primarily for search and retrieval quality people, their stabilization and strengthening their solidarity with the company. An application of personnel marketing leads to specific staff and corporate culture.

 

Keywords: Human resource, Recruitment of employees, Personnel marketing;
Core business and supporting activities in Slovak enterprise
Authors: Vagner Ladislav , Bartosova Viera
Published: April 2017

The latest boom of facility management, mostly seen as an essential part of large enterprises, leads us to start thinking about if the growing interest of this phenomenon is caused by a real need of a company and is it even possible start  the discussion of usage of facility management in a different than large enterprise? At the beginning base elements of core business and supporting activities are defined and then the question why facility management is a fundamental part of a corporate leadership is answered. The second part of the article identifies an area of interest and development of a hypothesis that can then be tested. The process of research will be targeted on the enterprises located in the central Slovak region. The digital answer sheet will be used as a baseline for the verification of stated hypotheses. All mentioned processes and procedures will help to clarify the necessity of Facility management for an enterprise.

Keywords: Supporting activities, Core business, Facility management, Facility management surveys;
Modeling of company´s default probability in relation to its credit risk
Authors: Weissova Ivana , Siekelova Anna , Kramarova Katarina
Published: April 2017

The issue of bankruptcy is very discussed in the modern theory of the company. There are currently many companies that must deal with this issue. They obtain useful information and also use the appropriate tools in order to avoid bankruptcy. Therefore financial analysts are still looking for appropriate ways to predict the bankruptcy of the company. The practical part of the following contribution consists of three steps. At the beginning we randomly selected five Slovak companies. Next we chose four predictive models which are calculated for the last one year. Then we chose the method of Economic Value Added as a method by which we can measure the value of the company. We calculate the Economic Value Added for the last one year in selected companies. Finally, we compare the results of predictive models with the results of Economic Value Added to evaluate the risk of bankruptcy in selected companies. The aim of this paper will be captured the dependence between selected predictive models and Economic Value Added and based on these calculation capture credit risk of these companies.
Keywords: credit risk, predictive model, economic value added
Human resources management in context of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Sukalova Viera , Ceniga Pavel
Published: April 2017

The globalization of economic activities in the last decade brings changes in the world of work; there is uncertainty, inequality, new risks. The new requirements apply to the management of human resources and the sustainability development. To make the company successful in the long term, it must meet the new expectations of their surroundings, which necessarily include the responsible behaviour towards the society in which it operates. Man limits reliability of the features of the system. As a result of the failure to adapt labour conditions humans began to appear health, economic and social consequences. Through human resources and people management can be designed to target the working system and increasing the efficiency of human labour. The paper focuses on the sustainable management of human resources in the context of the requirements of social responsibility, identifying current problems in this area in practice and proposes solutions.
Keywords: Human resources; Management; Corporate social responsibility
The Global Diagnostics and Diagnostics of Support Activities
Authors: Gondzarova Barbora , Berzakova Viera
Published: April 2017

The article is focused on the business diagnostics and facility management. The aim is to measure the impact of supporting activities in total business results. Selected method of business diagnostics is financial analysis. In the article is performed a shortened financial analysis with focus on the impact which have the supporting activities on the items in balance sheet and on the total costs.Â© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of Academic World Research and Education Center.

Keywords: facilities, costs, analysis, diagnostics, assets
New Formulations for the Team Orienteering Problem
Authors: Derya Tusan , Kara Imdat , Bicakci Papatya Sevgin , Kececi Baris
Published: April 2017

Routing problems have many practical applications in distribution and logistics management. The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) and its variants lie at the heart of routing problems. The Orienteering Problem (OP) is a subset selection version of well-known TSP which comes from an outdoor sport played on mountains. In the OP, the traveller must finish its journey within a predetermined time (cost, distance), and gets a gain (profit, reward) from the visited nodes. The objective is to maximize the total gain that the traveller collects during the predetermined time. The OP is also named as the selective TSP since not all cities have to be visited. The Team Orienteering Problem (TOP) is the extension of OP by multiple-traveller. As far as we know, there exist a few formulations for the TOP. In this paper we present two new integer linear programming formulations (ILPFs) for the TOP with O(n2) binary variables and O(n2) constraints, where n is the number of nodes on the underlying graph. The proposed formulations can be directly used for the OP when we take the number of traveller as one. We demonstrate that, additional restrictions and/or side conditions can be easily imported for both of the formulations. The performance of our formulations is tested on the benchmark instances from the literature. The benchmark instances are solved via CPLEX 12.6 by using the proposed and existing formulations. The computational experiments demonstrate that both of the new formulations outperform the existing one. The new formulations are capable of solving optimally most of the benchmark instances, which have solved by using special heuristics so far. As a result, the proposed formulations can be used to find the optimal solution of small- and moderate-size real life OP and TOP by using an optimizer.

 

Keywords: Traveling salesman problem, orienteering problem, modeling;
Message from Editor
Authors: IACOB Dr. Andreea Iluzia
Published: April 2017

Dear Readers,It is the great honor for us to publish sixth volume, second issue of Global Journal of Business, Economics and Management: Current Issues.Global Journal of Business, Economics and Management: Current Issues is an international, multi-disciplinary, peer-refereed journal which aims to provide a global platform for professionals working in the field of business, economics, management, accounting, marketing, banking and finance and scholars and researchers to share their theoretical, empirical and practical knowledge on current issues in the area of business, economics and management.The journal welcomes original empirical investigations and comprehensive literature review articles. The scope of the journal includes, but is not limited to; Accounting, Advertising Management, Business and Economics, Business Ethics, Business Law, International Finance, Labor Economics, Labor Relations and Human Resource Managemen, Law and Economics, Management Information Systems, Business Law, Corporate Finance and Governance, Management Science, Market Structure and Pricing, Marketing Research and Strategy, Marketing Theory and Applications, Operations Research, Organizational Behavior and Theory, Organizational Communication, Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles, Product Management, Decision Sciences, Development Planning and Policy, Economic Development, Economic Methodology, Economic Policy, Production and Organizations, Production/Operations Management, Public Administration and Small Business Entrepreneurship, Public Choice, Public Economics and Finance, Public Relations, Resource Management, Strategic Management, Strategic Management Policy, Stress Management, Supply Change Management, E-Bussiness and Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.Many authors from different countries have contributed and current and comprehensive issues from the fields of business, economics and management are included in this issue. Job satisfaction, green marketing, human resource management and security are some examples of the topics. The topics of the next issue will be different. You can make sure that we will be trying to serve you with our journal with a rich knowledge in which different kinds of topics are discussed in 2016 Volume.A total number of forty-nine (49) manuscripts were submitted for this issue and each paper has been subjected to double-blind peer review process by the reviewers specialized in the related field. At the end of the review process, a total number of twenty-four (24) high quality research papers were selected and accepted for publication.We present many thanks to all the contributors who helped us to publish this issue.Best regards,Prof. Dr. Andreea Iluzia Iacob Editor â€“ in Chief
Selection Determinants In Education Major Graduates Occupations
Authors: Huang Wei-Ting , Ho Hsuan-Fu
Published: April 2017

Taiwan’s teacher training system currently faces a serious disorder. The excessive number of teacher education programs being set up in universities by the Ministry of Education has dramatically increased the number of teachers. The situation, coupled with the country of low birth rate and high retirement age, brings about fewer teaching vacancies than the number of available teachers. The over-expansion of universities has resulted in a situation that almost every secondary school graduate can access higher education institutions, which subsequently produce a great number of graduates, far exceeding the vacancies in the workplace. This plus with the recent economic recession intensifies competition among individuals hunting for jobs. Thus, it is imperative to identify the ideal jobs for graduates, and the first step is figuring out the main determinants for selecting jobs and the relative importance of these determinants. A self-developed questionnaire was administered to 200 education major graduates in Taiwan. The result indicated that high job stability was perceived to be the most important factor among participants. Also, the education students considered school teacher or administrator to be the ideal jobs.
The Robust Learning Model With A Spiral Curriculum: Implications For For TThe Educational EffectivenessOfOf Online Master Degree Programs
Authors: Neumann Yoram , Neumann Edith , Lewis Shelia
Published: April 2017

This study integrated the Spiral Curriculum approach into the Robust Learning Model as part of a continuous improvement process that was designed to improve educational effectiveness and then assessed the differences between the initial and integrated models as well as the predictability of the first course in the integrated learning model on a wide range of educational effectiveness indicators for online master degree programs. Meaningful improvement in educational effectiveness was validated by the study. The importance of the first course's predictors in predicting and explaining the various degree program educational effectiveness indicators was also very instrumental. The theoretical and practical implications of the study's findings for online faculty, university administrators, and policy makers were examined.
Using The Internet In Teaching Algebra To Middle School Students: A Study Of Teacher Perspectives And Attitudes
Authors: Alsaeed Maha Saad
Published: April 2017

During the past decades, technological resources have been improved to support the teaching of mathematics. While the improvement of technological resources, the World Wide Web provides teachers and students many resources that engage students in rich mathematics experiences. There are a vast number of educational resources available through the Internet for students and teachers, which should be implemented in the classroom to support and improve algebra instructions. This study seeks to identify the extent of the middle school teacher’s awareness of using the Internet to teach and develop students’ learning of algebra. The participant’s teachers in this study are teaching in schools located in a rural Appalachian region of a Midwestern state in the United States.  The study found that the Internet’s function in the algebra classroom within this particular group of middle childhood teachers are used for purposes that do not contribute to algebra instruction.
Mathematical Modeling And Computational Thinking
Authors: Sanford John F. , Naidu Jaideep T.
Published: April 2017

The paper argues that mathematical modeling is the essence of computational thinking. Learning a computer language is a valuable assistance in learning logical thinking but of less assistance when learning problem-solving skills. The paper is third in a series and presents some examples of mathematical modeling using spreadsheets at an advanced level such as high school or early college.
The Impact Of Systemic Loss Given Default On Economic Capital
Authors: Van Dyk Jenni , Lange Jaun , Van Vuuren Gary
Published: April 2017

Empirical studies have demonstrated that loan default probabilities (PD) and loss given defaults (LGD) are positively correlated because of a common, business cycle, dependency. Regulatory capital requirements demand that banks use downturn LGD estimates because the correlation between PD and LGD is not captured. Economic capital models are not bound by this constraint. We extend and implement a model which captures the PD and LGD correlation by exploring the link between defaults and recoveries from a systemic point of view. We investigate the impact of correlated defaults and resultant loss rates on a portfolio comprising default-sensitive financial instruments. We demonstrate that the systemic component of recovery risk (driven by macroeconomic conditions) exerts greater influence on loss estimation and fair risk pricing than its standalone component.
The Influence Of Private And Public Finance, Organisational And Environmental Variables On The Performance Of Beauty Salons In The Free State, South Africa: A Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Rambe Patient , Mpiti Nosiphiwe
Published: April 2017

Although small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs), such as hair salons, have harnessed a subtle combination of private and public funding to bankroll their business operations, literature on the performance of SMMEs in developing countries that often identifies finance as a major obstacle to the SMMEs’ survival, tends to be uncritical about the nature and sources of funding. In view of the fragmented nature of the literature that examines the isolated influences of private and public funding on performance, it becomes difficult to unpack the combined influence of these different funding sources on the performance of emerging firms. The problem is compounded further by the existence of limited literature that focuses on the environmental and organisational variables that mediate the funding-performance relationship in small emerging firms. This article considers a critical integrated approach that is located at the intersection of types of funding (private and public funding), mediating organisational and environmental factors and performance, in explaining the SMME performance, well aware that there is a potential for large firms to crowd out the growth opportunities of SMMEs and the insufficiency of the “wicked financial problem” in explicating the performance of such firms. The theoretical study adopts hair salons as a metaphor for an otherwise large, complex beauty and cosmetological industry in its exploration of the combined influence of private and public funding on the performance of SMMEs, with organisational and environmental concepts as mediating variables. The study deviates from mainstream studies that tend to accord significance solely to finance in SMME development and therefore, places financing, organisational and environmental variables as key variables in explaning successful business performance. The main contribution of this paper is a conceptual framework that is based on the view that financing-performance does not occur in vacuum, but is rather mediated by organisational (human resources, technological acquisition, staff training and education) and environmental (technology acquisition, firm location, competition) variables.
Innovation Policy And Governance In The African Region
Authors: Gachie Wanjiru , Govender Desmond Wesley
Published: April 2017

This paper undertakes a desktop examination of innovation policy and governance in Africa. The article therefore adds on to the importance of intra-African region innovation policy dialogue by exploring policy developments in the African region. The article identifies a weak and fragmented innovation system as a major challenge facing many of the African countries, exacerbated by the lack of an explicit innovation strategy. The literature indicates that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies should not simply adopt a science-push approach to innovation, but rather focus on building an entire system of innovation. The emergence of a knowledge-based economy and globalisation such as the BRICs - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are restructuring the dynamics of innovation in developing countries. The literature has also shown that several international organisations have played significant roles in the development of Science and Technology (S&T) policies among African countries. However, the international organisations initiatives have mostly focused on the development of S&T with minimal emphasis on the role of policies and administration, which would increase learning and innovation performance in Africa. The central premise of the article is that innovation policy and governance is an essential component of the National System of Innovation in the African region.
Marginal Employment Growth Effects In The South African Economy
Authors: Kaseeram Irrshad , Mahadea Darma
Published: April 2017

South Africa relative to its peers (upper middle income countries) suffers from high unemployment and sub-optimal economic growth. This study investigates the ‘marginal effects of employment’ with respect to real output and capital in South Africa, using annual data covering the period 1946-2015.  It estimates the responsiveness of employment to real output growth and capital, employing the short and long-run dynamic interactions between these variables via the application of the VAR/VECM Johansen (1991) framework.  The results show that there exists a statistically significant long-run co-integrating relationship between labour employment and real GDP growth. Marginal employment growth effect is positive; a one per cent increase in GDP tends to increase employment by about one third of one per cent. Employment adjusts consistent with expectations when it overshoots its structural relationship with other variables. However, real output tends to adjust contrary to expectations, implying significant diminishing returns to employment in the economy. Growth in capital impacts positively on output and employment. The study concluded that greater labour market flexibility and higher worker productivity is needed across all sectors of the economy.
Acceptance Or Rejection Of An Audit Client: Understanding Risk In The Auditing Environment
Authors: Johnson-Snyder Anna J. , Chandrasekran Rajalakshmi
Published: April 2017

In this case, students are required to conduct an initial assessment of a potential audit client and provide a well-supported recommendation to the audit partner. Specifically, students are assigned a company and asked to gather and evaluate data on it and its upper management. Based on that information, students are to make an objective recommendation to the firm on whether to accept, accept and consider a risk-adjusted audit fee, or reject the client; they are also required to provide the reasoning or argument for the decision. This case has many learning objectives. First, students will demonstrate their research and critical thinking skills and apply those skills by evaluating the information to make a judgment similar to that required of audit professionals. Second, students will create a memorandum that concisely summarizes the obtained information and provide a well-supported recommendation. Third, students will understand and be able to communicate the various types of risk in the business environment. Finally, the case assists students in converting their perspective from that of an accountant to that of an evaluator or auditor. Moreover, the case can be used to introduce professional skepticism and the importance of maintaining objectivity when making a judgment.
GEOMORFOLOGIA BRASILEIRA: PANORAMA GERAL DA PRODUÇÃO NACIONAL DE ALTO IMPACTO NO QUINQUÊNIO ENTRE 2011-2015
Authors: Salgado André Augusto Rodrigues , Limoeiro Brenda Fernandes
Published: April 2017

O presente trabalho, através de revisão bibliográfica e contabilização de publicações, avalia quantativamente as características da produção geomorfológica brasileira publicada nos principais periódicos geomorfológicos – nacionais e internacionais – para o período entre 2011 e 2015. Os resultados obtidos, principalmente quando comparado com as publicações compreendidas entre 2001 até 2010, apontam para um constante aumento da produção geomorfológica brasileira. Demonstram ainda que os artigos relacionados às temáticas (1) Geomorfologia Fluvial, (2) Evolução Regional do Relevo e (3) Processos de Vertente ocupam a maior parte dessa produção que, em termos geográficos, se concentrou nas universidades das regiões Sudeste e Sul do Brasil. Por fim, foi possível apontar que a maior parte dos artigos publicados nos periódicos de maior impacto, tanto nacionais quanto internacionais, foi fruto de cooperação entre pesquisadores de diferentes instituições
Unplanned Readmissions Following Outpatient Hand and Elbow Surgery
Authors: Noureldin Mohamed , Habermann Elizabeth B. , Ubl Daniel S. , Kakar Sanjeev
Published: April 2017

Background:

Unplanned readmission following surgery is a quality metric that helps surgeons assess initiatives targeted at improving patient care. We utilized the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database to determine the rates, causes, and predictors of unplanned 30-day readmissions after outpatient elective hand and elbow surgery.

Methods:

The ACS-NSQIP database was queried using hand-and-elbow-specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to retrospectively identify patients who had undergone outpatient hand or elbow surgery in 2012 and 2013. Patients who required an unplanned readmission to the hospital within 30 days were compared with those who were not readmitted. Preoperative patient characteristics, intraoperative variables, complications, and mortality were compared between the cohorts. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine independent associations with 30-day unplanned readmission.

Results:

A total of 14,106 outpatient hand or elbow surgery procedures were identified between 2012 and 2013, and 169 (1.2%) of them were followed by an unplanned readmission. The leading causes of readmission included postoperative infections (19.5%), pain (4.7%), thromboembolic events (4.1%), and pulmonary complications (3.0%). The causes of approximately 1/3 of the readmissions were missing from the database, and these readmissions were likely unrelated to the principal procedure. Independent predictors of readmission included an age of 70 to 84 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.67 to 4.78), smoking (HR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.57 to 3.18), a lower hematocrit (HR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.38 to 3.46), renal dialysis (HR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.60 to 6.91), and an elbow procedure (with or without a hand procedure) (HR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.57 to 3.04).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of unplanned readmission following outpatient hand and elbow surgery is low. Several modifiable factors, including preoperative smoking and anemia, are associated with unplanned readmission. These data may be helpful in developing quality-control initiatives to target unplanned readmissions following hand and elbow procedures.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Seducción y aversión: factores de susceptibilidad y desincentivo al inicio del consumo de tabaco entre adolescentes en Bolivia
Authors: Hera-Fuentes Gina La , Torres-Ruiz Ricardo , Rada-Noriega Jorge Dennis
Published: April 2017

Objetivo. Analizar factores de susceptibilidad y desincentivo al inicio del consumo de tabaco en adolescentes no fumadores de Bolivia. Material y métodos. Análisis secundario de la Encuesta Mundial de Tabaquismo en Jóvenes de Bolivia, 2012. Mediante una regresión logística multivariada se esti­mó la relación de la susceptibilidad a fumar con los factores sociales, de comportamiento y de políticas de control de tabaco. Resultados. Los factores de susceptibilidad a fumar fueron: amigos cercanos fumadores (RM=1.74), percepción de confort al fumar en eventos sociales (RM=1.86); observar fumadores en ambientes públicos (RM=1.54); promoción de cigarrillos a jóvenes (RM=4.05), exposición a publicidad tabacalera (RM=2.08) y sexo masculino (RM=2.00); los que desincentivan el consumo: información de los familiares sobre el tabaquismo (RM=0.38) y las advertencias sanitarias (RM=0.63). Conclusión. Bolivia requiere implementar mínimamente el resto de las medidas básicas del Convenio Marco del Control de Tabaco.
Exposición a la publicidad de tabaco y consumo de tabaco en adolescentes en América del Sur
Authors: Plamondon Geneviéve , Guindon Emmanuel , Paraje Guillermo
Published: April 2017

Objetivo. Este estudio evalúa la relación estadística entre la exposición a la publicidad de tabaco y el tabaquismo en los adolescentes de América del Sur. Material y métodos. Usando datos de la Encuesta Mundial de Tabaquismo en Jóvenes (GYTS) se estudiaron los niveles de exposición a nivel de escuela, ante distintos tipos de publicidad, además se evaluaron los comportamientos asociados al tabaquismo durante la experimentación y consumo. La muestra total fue de 134 073 jóvenes de Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Perú, Brasil, Uruguay, Surinam, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador, Paraguay y Venezuela que se combinaron en el análisis. Resultados. La exposición a la publicidad está positiva y significativamente asociada a un incremento en las probabilidades de que los jóvenes experimenten con el cigarrillo al menos una vez en sus vidas. Para los fumadores activos, la exposición a la publicidad está positiva y significativamente asociada con el número de cigarrillos fumados. Conclusiones. La publicidad de productos de tabaco debe ser controlada fuertemente o eliminada totalmente en varios países de Sudamérica.
Advertising of tobacco products at point of sale: who are more exposed in Brazil?
Authors: Bacelar Ferreira-Gomes Adriana , De Moura Lenildo , De Araujo-Andrade Silvânia Suely , Lacerda-Mendes Felipe , A Perez Cristina , Abaakouk Zohra
Published: April 2017

Objetivo. Describir a la población adulta en relación con la percepción de la publicidad de cigarrillos en los puntos de venta, según el estado de consumo de tabaco y características sociodemográficas como sexo, edad, raza/color, región, ubicación del hogar y escolaridad. Material y métodos. Se realizó un análisis multivariado con los datos de la Encuesta Global de Tabaquismo en Adultos de 2008 y la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de 2013. Resultados. Ambas encuestas mostraron que entre los no fumadores: las mujeres, los adultos jóvenes y los que tenían más de 10 años de escolaridad notaron con más frecuencia la publicidad de cigarrillos en puntos de venta. También se observó que estas proporciones aumentaron significativamente entre la población con menos años de escolaridad. Conclusión. Una política que prohíba completamente la publicidad de cigarrillos sería más efectiva para proteger a los grupos vulnerables del consumo de tabaco.
Linking Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data to tobacco control policy in Suriname
Authors: Lolley Katherine , Marhe Esha Sharmila , Seymour William , Lakhisaran Johanna
Published: April 2017

Objetivo. Utilizar evidencia de la Encuesta Mundial de Tabaquismo en Jóvenes (EMTJ) para comunicar las políticas de control del tabaco en Surinam. Material y métodos. Las EMTJ se desarrollaron en los años 2000, 2004 y 2009 entre estudiantes de secundaria (de entre 13 y 15 años de edad) mediante diseño muestral en dos etapas. Resultados. Participaron en total 2 744 estudiantes. De 2000 a 2009, los resultados mostraron una mayor prevalencia de “uso actual de cigarrillos” y “otros productos de tabaco” en mujeres (31 y 98%). Asimismo, se evidenció un alto grado de exposición pasiva al humo de tabaco en hogares (56.6 a 46.6%) y en lugares públicos (67.8 a 53.3%), además de la exposición a publicidad protabaco (periódicos/revistas: 76.3 a 54.0%; vallas publicitarias: 77.4 a 52.6%). Menos de la mitad de los estudiantes que participaron fueron instruidos sobre los peligros de fumar en las escuelas. Conclusión. La prevalencia nacional de tabaquismo coincide con la tendencia regional. Los resultados de la EMTJ proporcionan evidencia exhaustivas sobre la legislación del control de tabaquismo aprobada en 2013. Futuras EMTJ pueden promover y moni- torear la implementación de la norma y su progreso en la consecución de los objetivos de OMS y el Convenio Marco para el Control de Tabaco.
Measuring progress in tobacco prevention and control: the role of surveillance
Authors: B Ahluwalia Indu , A Arrazola René , Graffunder Corinne
Published: April 2017

Nearly six million people worldwide die from tobacco-attributable causes every year, making tobacco the leading cause of preventable disease and death. If current trends continue, tobacco use is expected to result in one billion deaths by the end of the century, most of these in low- and middle-income countries. Cigarette smoking is the most common form of tobacco use in most countries, and the majority of adult smokers try their first cigarette before the age of 18...
Technology Focus: Seismic Applications (March 2017)
Authors: Egan Mark S.
Published: April 2017

Technology Focus

My career in the oil and gas industry started in 1975. Shortly thereafter, a theme that became wildly popular in conferences, workshops, and internal boardrooms was better integration of seismic with other oilfield disciplines. Initial progress was slow, but, if we fast-forward to today, we see that significant strides indeed have been made. A good representation of integration papers appeared this past year, so that is the theme we will use.

Advancement of the integration of seismic with other oilfield disciplines has been fueled by two factors. First, evolutionary advances in seismic technologies naturally led to more-powerful integration. A simple example is the progress made in bandwidth. In this regard, advances in seismic sources, field recording equipment, and data processing all benefited interpretation, inversion, and reservoir modeling. For example, in the 1980s, a commonly used vibrator sweep in land surveys was 12–48 Hz. Today, sweeps start as low as 2 Hz and often go up to more than 100 Hz. The benefits to resolution and derisking have been striking.

Second, several developments in seismic were motivated in direct response to the needs of interpreters and engineers. For instance, the appearance of creative, new, high-channel-count survey designs provided full-azimuth, densely sampled data that led to striking advances in imaging complex structures (especially in subsalt settings) and provided the wherewithal for characterizing natural fractures and stress in both conventional and unconventional plays. Indeed, this tighter integration of seismic with geomechanics energized the rise of the microseismic technique.

Six integration papers were selected. Three are presented here in summary format, and three are listed for additional reading. They come from all over the world, cover a range of reservoir lithologies, and deal with a suite of geologic settings. Let’s keep the progress moving.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 183289 Seismic Reservoir Characterization of Carbonate Reservoirs—Case Study of the Mishrif Formation, Zubair Field, Iraq by J.M. Rodrigues, Eni, et al.

IPTC 18956 Seismic-Driven Lithofacies for Geological-Model Infilling in a Deep Offshore Turbiditic Field—Case Study by Victoriano Da Silva, Total E&P, et al.

SPE 181872 Microseismic Mapping Improves Understanding of a Complex Reservoir: A Case Study in a Southern Sichuan Shale Gas Field by Yang Wang, Halliburton, et al.