bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diseño y elaboración de un sistema de adoquines de bajo costo y material reciclado para construcciones en núcleos rurales
Authors: Di Marco Morales Raúl Omar 
Published: March 2016

Este trabajo de investigación se desarrolla a partir de la hipótesis de la utilización de desechos sólidos de PET (Tereftalato de Polietileno) como sustituto de áridos (arena), ingrediente de morteros, en la fabricación de componentes constructivos y específicamente de adoquines. El artículo presenta los resultados del estudio de las propiedades físico-químicas de distintos morteros cuyo contenido de árido se reemplazó por partículas o escamas de PET en distintas proporciones. Así mismo se muestra la comparación y evaluación de las propiedades físico-mecánicas de los morteros en estudio con los convencionales mediante ensayos de granulometría, absorción y resistencia a la flexión. Todo ello permitió determinar que las partículas de PET en adoquines puede ser usado como un posible sustituto de áridos, ya que se obtuvieron adoquines con 35% de reemplazo de la arena, que presentaron similar absorción (aceptable) y resistencias por encima a las exigidas por la norma: NTC 2017.
Modelo de intervención para servicios de consultoría social en ingeniería
Authors: González Tarazona Nelson Enrique , Moreno González María Consuelo 
Published: March 2016

El artículo denominado Modelo de Intervención para Servicios de Consultoría Social en Ingeniería forma parte de los resultados del proyecto Marketing Ambiental para la Recuperación de la Cañada La Calavera como escenario ecológico-lúdico-turístico, experiencia piloto para futura implementación en el área de jurisdicción de la CDMB y consiste en una propuesta de un Modelo de Intervención para Consultoría Social en Ingeniería (MICOSI). En este documento se exponen los cinco niveles de acción del modelo aplicados al caso particular de la microcuenca La Calavera. Finalmente se presenta la esquematización de MICOSI para su posible aplicación en el análisis de problemas que comunidades no han podido solucionar por sí mismas; y que requieren de la asesoría científica de la ingeniería para su adecuada solución<em>.</em>
Mergers Of Private Enterprises: A Powerful Force For The Development Of Private Business Organizations In Latin America - The Case Of Ecuador
Authors: Theodore John 
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this article was to assess the scale of mergers of small and medium-size private business organizations in Ecuador over the past ten years and to determine if the ownership and management of such enterprises have the desire in merging with other Ecuadorian business organizations. Such mergers create larger business enterprises that allow the appearance, sustenance, and development of the principles of organization and precipitate the need for commensurate managerial education for their management and ownership. It was determined, in this study, that only a very limited number of mergers have taken place during the past ten years and that the entrepreneurial mindset of business owners and their managers is not favoring mergers. The ownership and management of small and medium-size Ecuadorian business organizations do not understand the benefits derived from mergers. The study noted that Ecuador’s business owners and their managers are traditionally accustomed to operating with obsolete management methods and controls that suppress opportunities leading to organizational development.
Management Of Banking System Liquidity In The Czech Republic
Authors: Bruna Karel 
Published: March 2016

Implementation of monetary policy assumes that monetary policy instruments stabilize O/N interest rates to the proximity of main policy rate to achieve monetary targets. The function of stabilizing mechanism is based on simple rule that the volume of liquidity in the banking system is held in line with the demand of banks for reserves. In this paper main factors of banking system liquidity are analyzed in the context of bank’s imperfect intertemporal substitution of reserves and with respect to predictibility of O/N interest rates volatility. Analysis of O/N PRIBOR and CZEONIA reference interest rates prove Czech National Bank’s ability to stabilise O/N interest rates disregard overall excess liquidity in the banking system. It also identified structural changes acting in the money market like reduced instability of demand for reserve and decreased volatility of O/N interest rates due to intdroduction of credit facility or increased volatility of the spread between O/N interest rates and repo rate due to reduction of frequency of repo tenders. Rapid increase in the volatility of differences between OMO target and bank’s supply of excess reserves is also resulting in the weakening of a direct relationship between O/N PRIBOR dynamics and repo tenders.
The Metamorphosis And Bifurcation Of Guanxi In Virtual Third Spaces: The Role Of BBS In Changing Social Relationships In China
Authors: Banfe Peter L. 
Published: March 2016

This research is a the second installation of a planned series of articles exploring the dynamic interaction between the forces of modernization as represented by technology, specifically virtual forms of communication, and traditional culture in China. The focus of the research of this article is the phenomenon of the ubiquity and popularity of BBS (electronic bulletin board systems) in China, long considered “old school” and eclipsed by newer forms of virtual interaction in the West. The research explores the possibility that BBS’s are developing into virtual third space in which we find traditional social constructs in China being challenged and modified in important ways. Specifically the research underlying this paper proposes to explore that hypothesis that an analysis of the interaction, operations and structure within these social spaces (BBS) might lead one to consider whether or not Guanxi, the relational glue which adheres Chinese society together, as well as other related cultural values and behaviors, are not being updated and modified in critical ways within these virtual third spaces. Additionally, the research proposes that Guanxi may be bifurcating within the virtual societies of the BBS, where the shared collective experiences of “social networking” of Guanxi has split from the “utilitarian reciprocal obligation” of “houmen” or guanxi practice. The results of the research tentatively confirm this proposition and identifies how the unique structure of BBSs and rules of interaction create a new virtual third space, or public sphere, which, while maintaining some aspects of traditional Confucian social order and Guanxi, are leading to their metamorphosis within these virtual communities.
China Foreign Direct Investment: Greenfield, Mergers & Acquisition, Or Joint-Venture
Authors: Norris, Jr. JT 
Published: March 2016

Foreign investment in China is once again beginning to grow as the economy sees signs of recovery. Companies looking to establish a presence in mainland China, have three options to evaluate and choose between 1) entering into a joint-venture, 2) acquiring an existing company, or3) developing an organization via Green Field development. This paper delves deeper into these three options, outlining the benefits and pitfalls of each approach. The purpose is to provide the reader with a general overview of investment vehicles available in China and to guide the business professional in a course of action, including the social impact of these options.
Investor Sentiment And Close-End Country Funds?
Authors: Chiang Kevin C.H. , Wisen Craig H. , Zhou Xiyu (Thomas) 
Published: March 2016

An innovative method to estimate the duration of investor sentiment is applied to closed-end country fund returns and it finds that U.S. investor sentiment has a short life. The effects of sentiment on closed-end country fund returns are largely consistent with existing literature however, it is only apparent in daily time-series regressions. Sentiment rapidly fades at a weekly frequency and virtually disappears using monthly return observations. These results suggest that the kind of investor sentiment for country fund prices does not have a persistent component.
Cost Accounting In Auto Manufacturing Companies In Germany And The United States
Authors: Jinkens Robert , Yallapragada RamMohan R. 
Published: March 2016

Corporate accountants are mandated to prepare and distribute financial accounting reports for external U.S.ers at end of each accounting period. However, there are no similar statutory requirements for corporate accountants to provide managers of their companies with the management accounting information necessary for decision making in their bU.S.iness operations. Cost accounting is an important integral part of management accounting. Product costing has always been a much debated issue in management accounting. The area that has generated a host of conflicting views is the allocation of overhead costs to products. Traditional absorption costing is claimed to be resulting in an unfair allocation of overhead costs to products. New approaches such as the Activity Based Costing (ABC) did not receive widespread adoption. It is being realized in management accounting field that an emerging costing method known as Resource Consumption Accounting (RCA) is a better method for product costing. It is a method adopted by the German manufacturing companies. This paper describes the German cost accounting method and also compares the German cost accounting with the cost accounting in the United States, specifically in the automobile manufacturing indU.S.try.
Capital Market And The Transmission Channel Of The Monetary Policy: An Empirical Evidence On The Money View
Authors: Geetha Caroline 
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study is to find the relationship between the monetary transmission channels with the stock prices. The study utilizes the monthly data from 1990 to 2001 obtained from the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Report and the monthly bulletin of the Central Bank of Malaysia. The result revealed that all the variables are non-stationary at the level form and stationary at the first difference. The Johansen Cointegration revealed that a long-run relationship does exist for the unanticipated changes in money supply, unlike the anticipated changes in money supply that only established a short-run relationship with stock prices. This is due to the level of monetization that is unable to eliminate the excess in the money market in the long run.
Global Impact Of Tax Considerations For Displaced Workers
Authors: Garrison Larry R. , Cummings Richard 
Published: March 2016

The current recession, combined with the globalization of the economy, outsourcing of jobs, and business downsizing, has resulted in thousands of workers experiencing the loss of their job. In addition to other circumstances that arise through the loss of a job, a new and unfamiliar set of tax issues can result through this new situation. This article will address some of the tax issues affecting displaced workers. The discussion will include strategies for displaced worker’s income, deductions, tax credits and special considerations.
Information Content Of Analyst Recommendations: Evidence From The Danish Biotechnology Sector
Authors: Farooq Omar 
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this paper is to document the performance of analyst recommendations for biotechnology firms listed at the Copenhagen Stock Exchange during the period between 2001 and 2010. Our results show that analysts are able to reveal value relevant information via their recommendations. We report that buy recommendations are followed by significantly positive returns and sell recommendations are followed by significantly negative returns. However, we also show that performance of analyst recommendations is not uniform across all firms. It depends on the extent of information asymmetries present within firms. We show that analyst recommendations contain no value for firms with the least level of transparency (lowest intellectual capital disclosure, lowest analyst coverage, and lowest frequency of recommendations). However, as information environment improves, value of analyst recommendations also goes up. We recommend biotechnology firms to improve on their disclosure levels.
Investigating The Mediating Role Of Service Innovation In Firm Performance: An Empirical Research
Authors: Arshad Arif Mohammad , Wang Jie , Su Qin 
Published: March 2016

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between total quality management (TQM), service innovation and firm performance in the Pakistan’s service industry. An empirical survey was performed and there were 190 participants from financial service firms in Pakistan. Regression analysis was employed in this study to investigate the tri-dimensional relationship between TQM, service innovation and firm performance. In the context of financial firms, this research examines how TQM practices adopted and managed to boost service innovation and whether and how TQM practices is going to influence the firm performance through the mediating role of service innovation. A research framework and the related hypotheses are suggested. Direct and indirect impact of each construct of TQM practices on organizational performance was determined. Data analysis discloses that, extent of TQM implementation has a positive and significant influence on service innovation as well as on organizational performance. Furthermore, a positive but a weak relationship was observed between service innovation and organizational performance. The direct relationship between TQM and organizational performance outperforms the indirect relationship of service innovation and organizational performance. It has contributed in the sense that past researchers have not considered the tri-dimensional relationship between TQM, service innovation and firm performance.
Authors: Azevedo Ítalo Medeiros , Kumakura Harue Santiago , Alloufa Sarah Lima , Mourão Thaís Silva , Souza Priscila Medeiros , Carvalho Marília Daniela Ferreira , Medeiros Vítor Brasil , Araújo-Filho Irami , Rêgo Amália Cínthia Meneses , Medeiros Aldo Cunha 
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Based on studies that have attributed anti-inflammatory properties to statins, the aim of this work was to observe the effect of simvastatin in the attenuation of mucositis induced by methotrexate in the gastrointestinal tract in rats and its effects on cytokines. Methods: Twelve Wistar rats weighing 270±18 g were randomly distributed into two groups: methotrexate/saline (MTX/S n = 6) and methotrexate/simvastatin (MTX /SV n=6). In all animals, 3 mg / kg of methotrexate was injected subcutaneously for 3 consecutive days. In the MTX / SV simvastatin was administered orally one week before and during treatment with methotrexate. In the MTX/S, saline was administered at the same doses and schedules. We determined the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and the histological analysis by HE staining in segments of esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum and colon. Results: The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (14±91.7, 119.3±4 and 83.1±4, respectively) was lower in the MTX/SV group rats than in the MTX/S (171.3±16, 218. ±15 and 114.8±3, respectively). Histopathology showed that simvastatin reduced significantly (p<0.05) the damage induced by methotrexate in the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, jejunum and colon. Conclusion: Simvastatin showed anti-inflammatory action in rats, suggesting potential clinical implication in the prevention or attenuation of mucositis induced by methotrexate.
Authors: Azevedo Ítalo Medeiros , Pinheiro Laíza Araújo Araújo Mohana , Torres Cristhiane Araújo , Silva Mayara Mytzi Aquino , Maciel Grossi Thiago Roberto , Araújo-Filho Irami , Rêgo Amália Cinthia Meneses , Medeiros Vítor Brasil , Carvalho Marília Daniela Ferreira , Medeiros Aldo Cunha 
Published: March 2016

Objective: To evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline in the treatment of abdominal sepsis in rats submitted to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Methods: We used 18 Wistar male rats three months old, randomly divided into control group C (n = 6); CLP (n = 6) for the rats submitted to CLP; Group CLP + PTX (n = 6) whose rats were treated with pentoxifylline and submitted to CLP. Pentoxifylline (40mg/Kg) was injected intraperitoneal 2 hours before and 8 hours after the induction of peritonitis. Histopathology of the lung, liver and kidney as well as analysis of renal function, markers of liver injury and cytokines were studied. The results were compared through ANOVA, and post hoc by Bonferroni test, considering p <0.05 as significant. Results: The control group rats showed lower levels of all cytokines, compared to CLP group (p <0.05). The CLP+PTX rats showed significantly lower amounts of TNF-α and IL-1 β when compared to the CLP group, but similar to group C. The levels of IL-6 in Group CLP+PTX, were higher than that found in group C and lower than that found in Group CLP (p <0.05). Reduction of urea and creatinine occurred after administration of pentoxifylline. The values of AST and ALT were slightly lower in the experimental group, and no significant difference was observed comparing with the control group. The microscopic findings of kidney, liver and lung revealed less inflammatory reaction associated with the reduction of pathological changes in animals treated with pentoxifylline. Conclusion: The pentoxifylline attenuated the pathophysiological events of sepsis, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, preserving renal function and tissue injury in an experimental model of polymicrobial sepsis.
Overcoming Environmental and Technical Challenges for Well Cementing: A Global Perspective
Authors: Johnson Carl R. , Shindgikar Nikhil Dilip , Beurel Muriel Martin 
Published: March 2016

Summary
Globally, there is an increasing focus on hydrocarbon recovery in regions that are new to environmental legislation and regulation; very often, these are offshore environments where well integrity has broad effects. Providing environmentally compliant fluids is becoming a standard, and thus expertise in regulations and “green” chemistry is rapidly being pulled from established regions such as the North Sea. The expectation that both regulations and necessary chemistry can be slotted into the new region's operations is difficult to achieve because there is no single set or universal set of regulations; therefore, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution.
This paper addresses numerous distinct challenges for cementing-related fluids and how the changing regulatory stage across different regions can be optimally managed. Indeed, because these regions can be “frontier” or remote in nature, emphasis on cost control from operators is high to minimize the well-construction cost. This may not align with environmental compliance expectations. Particular examples from West Africa will be presented to highlight challenges toward conformity with the aim of discussing the pitfalls and potential solutions available.
Environmental regulations and practices are continually evolving, and they come under increasing scrutiny at the well-planning stage, with heavy emphasis on well integrity and cementing quality. The most-legislated region of offshore exploration and production is the North Sea, and, naturally, governing bodies and operators are adopting North Sea regulatory models elsewhere. Through case histories covering North Sea, French Guiana, and West Africa, a systematic review of the numerous approaches governing the application of cementing fluids for well integrity will be deliberated. An innovative “green” chemistry solution for high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) operations, developed to tackle compliance with Norwegian North Sea regulations, will act as key example of steps taken to safeguard global environmentally sensitive regions and ensure long-term well integrity.
Retinopathy of Prematurity in Neonates and its Risk Factors: A Seven Year Study in Northern Iran
Authors: Rasoulinejad Seyed Ahmad , Montazeri Mohammad 
Published: March 2016

Purpose:An important cause of avoidable childhood blindness is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in countries with high human development index and also in some emerging economies countries. To date, no research have been conducted on analyzing data of ROP prevalence in Babol, and this is the first research performed on ROP in this area.Methods:All VLBW babies who referred to Babol ophthalmology center over the seven years, from February 2007 to December 2013 were enrolled in this descriptive cross-sectional research. A team of researchers recorded patients’ information completely in check lists. A single experienced ophthalmologist performed ophthalmologic examination of patients.Result:The incidence of ROP of any stage in Babol was determined to be 306 (45%) of all babies enrolled in this study. In present study, key risk factors of ROP were low gestational age, oxygen therapy more than five days and low birth weight.Conclusion:The findings of current study demonstrate that the main risk factors of developing ROP in newborns are multiple gestation, low birth weight, oxygen therapy for more than five day. Therefore, the progression of ROP to blindness will be prevented by a high index of suspicion, suitable screening, prompt diagnosis, and early treatment.
Know Pain, Know Gain? A Perspective on Pain Neuroscience Education in Physical Therapy
Authors: Louw Adriaan , Puentedura Emilio J. , Zimney Kory , Schmidt Stephen 
Published: March 2016

Chronic pain is incredibly complex, and so are decisions as to its treatment. During physical therapy care, pain neuroscience education (PNE) aims to help patients understand more about their pain from a biological and physiological perspective. Accompanying the growing evidence for the ability of PNE to reduce pain and disability in patients with chronic pain is an increased interest in PNE from scientists, educators, clinicians, and conference organizers. However, the rise in popularity of PNE has highlighted a historical paradox of increased knowledge not necessarily corresponding with improved care. This Viewpoint discusses the growth and popularity of PNE as well as critical future considerations such as clinical application, clinical research, appropriate outcome measures, and the blending of pain education with exercise and manual therapy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(3):131–134. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0602