bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Pivot’ and ‘Rebalancing’: Implications for Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Zulfqar Khan  , Fouzia Amin
Published: March 2016

The strategic matrix of Asia-Pacific is nowadays revolving around the US pivot and rebalancing policy vis-à-vis China. The landscape is reflecting a complex state of interdependence between the US, China, and their allies. China prima facie is strengthening its economic base before robustly embarking upon modernization of its armed forces to counter-balance the US. The security environment is poised to sustain the status quo in order to avoid the detrimental effects upon their intertwined economic interests. It is argued that states are inclined to maximize their power. Chinese rise is no exception and, the rise of peer-competitor is not expected to be peaceful, testifies the past historical record. This would eventually swing the future contours of world politics toward the second phase of China-centric Cold War. Therefore, in spite of interdependence, traditionally the nation-states would tend to search for enemies thereby pushing them to accordingly recalibrate and redefine their national interests on diverse and fluid geostrategic trajectories.
Political Stability and Security Challenges in Afghanistan
Authors: Khalid Rahman
Published: March 2016

While the present dispensation in Kabul can be regarded as relatively more stable than the regimes in recent pre-2001 period, a number of challenges — security, political and socio-economic — continue to persist. The Afghan National Army and other law enforcing agencies find it hard to fend off the continuously increasing and assertive strength of resistance forces. Talks between the representatives of Kabul government and the resistance forces have been reinitiated in Qatar but the outcome and future course remains too little to talk about. Their contacts can only be regarded as ‘talks about talks’ for complete withdrawal of foreign troops and the positions on Constitution among the major issues on the road to a possible yet hard-to-achieve negotiated settlement. Economy and quality of life are far from satisfactory and are actually in danger of further deterioration. If a negotiated and peaceful settlement is desired, then both the sides will have to soften their stances to an extent. The role of regional countries as well as the UN — not really in the lead so far — will assume a critical significance.

This is a revised and updated version of the paper presented in international symposium on “The Situation in Afghanistan after NATO's Withdrawal”, held in Istanbul under the auspices of South Asia Strategic Research Center on May 5–7, 2015.
Perils of Power Purchase: Electricity Imports in the Changing Milieu
Authors: Irfan Shahzad  , Waqar-un-Nisa
Published: March 2016

In an attempt to mitigate pressing power shortages, Pakistan is pursuing proposals and projects aimed at import of electricity from CARs, India and other SAARC member states, Iran and China. However, the nature of relations between Pakistan and the countries involved, as well as disputes over sources of power to be imported, solicit caution, for strategic reasons. Besides, considering the changing scenario where a sizeable number of medium to large sized projects are being initiated in the wake of China's mega scale entry on Pakistan's power generation horizon, Islamabad's electricity import options need reevaluation and reconsideration. Projects such as CASA-1000 and import from India have become less relevant, for the time being at least, while import from Iran and China may be reanalyzed in the evolving milieu and thus implemented, accordingly.
Innovation and its obstacles in Tanzania’s Bongowood
Authors: Overbergh Ann
Published: March 2016

This article analyses selected ‘forces for change’ in contemporary Bongowood: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam-based popular cinema industry. It focuses on cases embedded in what I term ‘core Bongowood’: the production and distribution of Swahili-language movies, produced on low budgets, released on DVD and targeted at local (Tanzanian, and by extension Swahili-speaking) audiences. The ‘forces for change’ discussed are individuals or organizations in the industry, working to influence or alter it. The change they aim for can be creative in kind, i.e. related to the movies produced, or it can be related to Bongowood’s value chain and inherent power relations. These organizations and individuals face several obstacles, most of them related to characteristics of the industry itself: a quasi-monopoly perpetuating an established imbalance of power, protected and reproduced by the most powerful players in it.
Evapotranspiração e coeficiente de cultura da melancia na microrregião de Teresina, PI, Brasil
Authors: Ferreira Valber Mendes , Klar Antonio Evaldo , Andrade Júnior Aderson Soares , Bastos Edson Alves , Oliveira Simone Raquel Mendes
Published: March 2016

The determination of crop coefficient (Kc) values during the crop development cycle is essential to obtain the water requirements for the culture. The present study aimed to determine the evapotraspiration and Kc on Shadow, Top Gun and Crimson Sweet watermelon cultivars, during different stages of development using the method of soil water balance. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Meio Norte in Teresina, PI, experimental field, from August to October, 2010. The evapotranspiration reference was estimated by Penman-Monteith, based on meteorological data obtained by an automatic weather station. According to the results, the ETc was 224.4 mm, corresponding to an average of 3.8 mm day-1. The higher water demand was 5.5 mm day-1, obtained at the intermediate phenological stage. The Kc values were 0.39, 0.80, 1.14, 0.59 (Crimson Sweet), 0.35, 0.72, 1.20, 0.30 (Top gun) and 0.34, 0.58, 0.89, 0.55 (Shadow), for initial, growth, intermediate and final phases, respectively.
Interação salinidade da água de irrigação e substratos na produção de mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo
Authors: Oliveira Fernanda Andrade de , Lopes Maria Ângela Casimiro , Sá Francisco Vanies da Silva , Nobre Reginaldo Gomes , Moreira Romulo Carantino Lucena , Silva Luderlândio de Andrade , Paiva Emanoela Pereira de
Published: March 2016

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the yield og yellow passion fruit seedling according to the interaction between substrate composition and salinity levels of irrigation water in an experiment carried out from November, 2013 to January 2014, in a protected environment (greenhouse) at the Center of Science and Agrifood Technology - CCTA, Federal University of Campina Grande - UFCG, located in the municipality of Pombal, PB, Brazil. A randomized complete block design in a 4x3 factorial consisted of four levels of irrigation water salinity ECw (0.3, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 dS m-1) and three different substrates [S = soil; EO = Soil + sheep manure (2:1); and SC = soil + commercial substrate (2:1)], with a total of 12 treatments with three replications and three useful plants per replication were used. The increase in salinity of irrigation water reduced the emergence, growth and dry matter accumulation of passion fruit seedlings, being the total dry matter the variable that was most affected by salinity. The substrate containing soil + sheep manure in the ratio of 2:1 promoted the highest initial growth and dry matter accumulation of yellow passion fruit seedlings, using a maximun level of 1.5 dS m-1 of saline irrigation were used.
Fitoextração de cobre e zinco de um Neossolo Quartzarênico contaminado com metais pesados
Authors: Chaves Lucia Helena Garofalo , Souza Ramara Sena de
Published: March 2016

The use of plants for soil phytoremediation is a technique capable of using photosynthetic plant systems to reduce levels of soil metals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of extracting heavy metals by Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L) plants, grown under an entisol. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using pots with 8.6 kg of capacity. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications, with five levels of copper (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mgdm-3) and five levels of zinc (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mgdm-3). Plant was harvested 90 days after sowing and the dry matter content, plant and soil heavy metals content were evaluated. With the application of copper and zinc, plant total dry matter decreased and the concentrations of these evaluated metals increased in all plant parts. The Jatropha is more efficient in extracting zinc than copper, which is a demand of a greater number of crops grown in copper contaminated soils.
Mapa populacional de freguesias rurais do Rio de Janeiro. O distrito de Guaratiba em 1797.
Authors: Machado Ana Paula Souza Rodrigues
Published: March 2016

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar os dados demográficos de um mapa populacional, realizado em 1797, no distrito de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro. Buscamos apreender as características dos chefes de domicílio, tais como: gênero, cor, suas residências, posse de escravos e número de dependentes.  Procuramos também analisar a estrutura da posse de cativos de forma geral e a utilização da mão de obra escrava nas diversas residências e atividades produtivas da região. Deste modo, demonstramos que o uso da demografia, enquanto ferramenta metodológica para o historiador, torna-se fundamental para o melhor conhecimento do seu objeto de pesquisa.
A Phenomenological Investigation into Cultural Factors Which May or May Not Contribute to Degree Completion Among American Indian Students in One Community College
Authors: Wright Michael , Miranda Twyla , Wilson Celia , Dryden Lisa
Published: March 2016

This study investigated cultural factors’ contribution to degree completion among American Indian college students. Surveys were sent to 238 currently enrolled and 87 formerly enrolled American Indian students during March 2013. From the survey respondents, a group of ten, all currently enrolled American Indian students, agreed to one-on-one interview sessions with the researcher. Dialoguing sessions were recorded and transcribed; answers were analysed and subjected to close examination through metasynthesis leading to the discovery of themes. Verification of dialogue and transcriptions through triangulation was obtained. The results indicated there were no reported cultural factors that contributed to the retention or attrition of the American Indian college student. For administrators, faculty and staff, the findings affirm practices used to welcome students of various cultures may be effective in preventing attrition of the American Indian student and that cultural factors may not play a role in retention or attrition.
Dusting Off The Reading List: Is it Fit for Purpose?
Authors: Boyle Lynn Valerie , Mitchell Dianne
Published: March 2016

This on the horizon paper presents the early stages of a systematic review of the core reading list for an online undergraduate degree in Childhood Practice at the University of Dundee. The programme is distinct in that all students are working professionals in the field of childcare, drawn from a global community. The review is being carried out to ensure that the new core reading list is fit for this purpose and that its content not only reflects contemporary literature but also the range of students’ workplaces and interests. The paper discusses the existing literature available on creating reading lists before presenting the methodology and stages to be undertaken in the process of reviewing the core programme reading list. A systematic literature search was completed to identify existing academic papers relating to the creating of reading lists. Pre-study stages already completed include a critique of the current reading lists both at programme and module levels, and the programme staff team having been asked to recommend and share existing books. A literature search has been started to identify existing Library stock of relevance, using the keyword ‘childhood’. A student questionnaire to elicit views on the current reading list was completed as part of programme quality enhancement. The paper will also discuss the next steps to be taken in the ongoing process of creating the updated reading list. We would now welcome feedback from the academic community on our planned research and suggestions for the programme reading list via the accompanying blog at https://dustingoffthereadinglist.wordpress.com
Supporting Pedagogic Researchers: The Development of a Model for Exploring the Ethical Systems at Play in Contemporary Learning Spaces
Authors: Buissink Nell , Mann Samuel
Published: March 2016

Pedagogic research has been described as a fundamental obligation of all university teachers yet many find the process of applying for institutional ethical approval to be challenging or negative. One way to address this is to look to the underlying thinking, practices and philosophies that the existing formal processes are trying to capture. That is, what is really happening in contemporary learning spaces, and what are the ethical issues that need to be uncovered and understood for formal ethical review processes to generate positive experiences and outcomes? This paper traces the development and early application of a model designed by the authors to enable an exploration of the ethical systems at play in contemporary learning spaces. Emerging findings from the model development process suggest that many tertiary learning spaces are innnovative and are displaying features such as student co-creation of knowledge, teachers as guides and facilitators, a growing openness to incorporating an indigenous worldview, and the blurring of classroom boundaries with the use of open-technology and community partnerships. Furthermore, when teachers highlighted these features on the model, they also identified unexplored, underexplored or context-specific issues at play in ethical systems and relationships in their pedagogical research.These emerging, dynamic and complex ethical relationships and challenges include anonymity, recognition, reciprocity, vulnerability, power and cultural sensitivities. Despite its exploratory nature, the development process outlined in this paper offers some insight into the understanding of ethical systems at play in learning spaces. Further research is now needed to test the applicability and usefulness of the model with implications for supporting scholarship of learning and teaching, as well as institutional policy and strategy.
Problem-based Learning and Theories of Teaching and Learning in Health Professional Education
Authors: Gewurtz Rebecca E , Coman Liliana , Dhillon Shaminder , Jung Bonny , Solomon Patty
Published: March 2016

Although problem-based learning (PBL) has been linked to several theories of teaching and learning, how these theories are applied remains unclear. The objective of this paper is to explore how theories of teaching and learning relate to and can inform problem-based learning within health professional education programs. We conducted a scoping review on current theories of teaching and learning and considered their relevancy to the problem-based learning approach. The findings suggest that no single theory of teaching and learning can fully represent the complexity of learning in PBL. Recognizing the complexity of the PBL environment and the fluidity between theories of teaching and learning, we proposed eight principles from across 11 theories of teaching and learning that can inform how PBL is operationalised in university-based health professional education: 1) Adult learners are independent and self-directed; 2) Adult learners are goal oriented and internally motivated; 3) Learning is most effective when it is applicable to practice; 4) Cognitive processes support learning; 5) Learning is active and requires active engagement; 6) Interaction between learners supports learning; 7) Activation of prior knowledge and experience supports learning; and 8) Elaboration and reflection supports learning. These eight principles provide the foundation for curriculum design recommendations relevant to PBL within university-based education programs. Specifically, our findings suggest that active engagement and interactions should be encouraged, that students should be prompted to activate their prior knowledge and experiences, and that elaboration and reflection on learning is critical. The small group format of PBL can facilitate this engagement if students question each other, consider alternative perspectives, and are actively involved in setting learning objectives. Further research is needed to develop the empirical basis for these principles and examine if PBL is an effective approach for implementing these principles.
Editorial - Winter 2016
Authors: Editors JPAAP
Published: March 2016

Editorial for Vol 4, Issue 1 (2016).
Elementary school students’ perceptions about nature of scientific knowledge and some pseudoscientific ideas
Authors: Bezir Akçay Behiye , Usta Gezer Seda , Kiras Burak
Published: March 2016

In early childhood, people develop some beliefs that can affect the whole lives. Developing pseudoscientific beliefs can cause differences on child’s nature of scientific knowledge. Giving importance on prevent gaining pseudoscientific knowledge may help qualified lifelong learning abilities. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the elementary school students’ nature of scientific knowledge and views about some common pseudoscientific ideas. Also some variables’ impacts on data collection tool scores were searched, too. The study was conducted on 2014-2015 educational year with 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade elementary school students. In the study, Nature of Scientific Knowledge Scale (NSKS) and eight statements were used to collect data. The aim of these eight statements was to figure out students’ pseudoscientific ideas about evolution and nature of science. SPSS 20.00 programme was used to analyze data. It was found that girls’ total scale scores were found higher than boys’ total scores.  Girls’ amoral, parsimonious, testable and unified sub-dimension scores were also found higher than boys’ scores. 7th grade students showed higher total scale scores than the other grade students. Also, it was seen that 7th grade students have more sophisticated knowledge about evolution than the nature of science features. At the end of the study the findings were discussed according to literature and some suggestions were given.
Effect of Boswellia serrata Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Microflora, and Morphology of Broilers
Authors: Kiczorowska Bożena , Samolińska Wioletta , Al-Yasiry Ali Ridha Mustafa , Kowalczyk-Pecka Danuta
Published: March 2016

The study aimed to determine the effect of three different levels of Boswellia serrata resin added to broiler diets on the fundamental production parameters, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, energy digestibility, microbiological condition of the gastrointestinal tract, and histomorphology of the walls of the small intestine. Two hundred Ross 308 chicks were assigned into 4 groups (50 birds of equal body weight) in 5 replications of 10 chicks each (5 females and 5 males). The experiment lasted 6 weeks. The control group (B0) was fed a standard mixture, without supplementation, whereas in groups B1.5, B2, and B2.5, the Boswellia serrata resin was added at the levels of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% of the complete feed mixture, respectively. The dietary supplementation with 2.0 and 2.5% of Boswellia serrata resin contributed to a significant increase in the length of the duodenum and total intestine and in the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in feed. In these groups, the values of FCR and EEI were positively influenced (P<0.05) and an improvement in the structure of the jejunal wall was also recorded (P<0.05). An increase in the count of Lactobacillus and Enterococcus in the intestinal contents in broilers fed with the Boswellia serrata resin supplemented diets was observed. In conclusion, the Boswellia serrata resin can be considered as an effective feed additive, which stimulates production and has a positive effect on intestinal microflora and morphology of broilers.
The effect of increasing amitriptyline doses on cardiomyocytes’ electrophysiology – simulation study
Authors: Tylutki Zofia , Jornil Jakob , Polak Sebastian
Published: March 2016

Background: Overdoses of tricyclic antidepressants may lead to arrhythmia. The aim of the study was to simulate the effect of increasing concentrations of amitriptyline (AMI) and its metabolite, nortriptyline, on the action potential of human ventricular cell.

Methods: Simulations were performed in Cardiac Safety Simulator platform with the use of the O’Hara-Rudy model. Input data included literature-derived, drug-specific IC50 values for ICa(L), IKr, and INa currents. Individual concentrations of AMI and nortriptyline were simulated in Simcyp. Nine single doses (mg) were tested: 5, 10, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000, 5000, and 10,000.

Results: The values of simulated endpoints (APD50, APD90, triangulation, and ΔAPD90) increase with drug concentrations. ΔAPD90 was statistically significant for doses up from 1000 mg. EADs were observed after administration of 10,000-mg AMI.

Conclusions: The consequences of various doses of AMI on the single cardiac myocytes were simulated in our study. Repolarization abnormalities were not expected for the therapeutic doses. EADs may be observed for very high doses of AMI.
Military Mail Radio
Authors: Bîlbîie Răduţ
Published: March 2016

Cultural and scientific personalities from the army, military experts and creators of the doctrine have collaborated with the radio from the beginnings of radiophony, the educational role of this new, persuasive communication channel being evident not only for Romania or the Romanian army but also for all the countries that had radiophony services. This happens in the context of the end of the crisis and the start of economic and social development, promoting culture, creating a solid class of peasants with a certain social status, in villages, together with the priest, teacher and gendarme, increasing of the number of subscriptions and development of the Romanian radiophony.

The radio has been used as a means of persuasion of the population for the war effort through broadcasts intended for pre-military boys, then for the entire population or soldiers. Operational means of connecting military and their families, an effective tool in maintaining a good morale of the troops and a satisfactory state of mind of the population with relatives in theatres of operations, Poșta militară radio has proven effectiveness through millions of letters sent along its four years of existence.
It Application Modules Like “Must Have” for Business Start-Ups
Authors: Cristescu Marian Pompiliu , Tileagă Cosmin
Published: March 2016

In this paper there are presented the main modules of some applications that represent the future of IT for start-up businesses, depending on what is essential, compulsory and important for this type of businesses. IT applications modules, described in the following paper, definitely belong to the IT department of any new business. The basic applications that any company obligatory needs are: office software, financial-accounting applications, online banking and so on. Only in exceptional cases, the giving up of certain modules, which are specific to “must have” applications, should be taken into account, such as certain marketing activities on the internet. In this paper the word, “start-up” does not refer to “start-ups” in IT. This paper is about those people who want to start a business, those who are at the beginning and have nothing to do with the IT sphere.
Vulnerabilities of Employment Levels in Contemporary Society of Romania
Authors: Şerb Diana Elena , Cicioc Camelia
Published: March 2016

The employment level vulnerability - a subject of interest to specialists, and also lately there is an increasing attention of European organizations in this regard by means of directives and regulations .Vulnerable groups are groups without support. The main groups with a higher risk of being affected by some form of exclusion from the labor market are young people, women, the disabled, the elderly, roma people, rural population. In our country one of the characteristics of democracy is that men and women are equal in rights. Young people are exposed to an endogenous risk that reflects their inexperience and also to exogenous risks related to the fields they’re frequently working in. The purpose of this article is to show that the forms of vulnerability generate economic and social imbalances in both the individual and the country. The working hypothesis of this article is that young people and women are the groups most exposed to vulnerability, and this also influences the employment levels.
Mediated and moderated effects of personalized political communication on political trust
Authors: Otto Lukas , Maier Michaela
Published: March 2016

Although most scholars agree that media exposure affects political trust, it is unclear which kind of media contents do so and how these effects come about. Personalized media coverage is especially suspected of having negative effects on political trust. In our study, we empirically analyze the relationship between exposure to personalized media contents, general trust, trust in journalistic assessment and trust in politicians using a model of moderated mediation. This model is tested in an online experiment exposing subjects to media stimuli which portray political actors in an unpersonalized, an individualized or a privatized way. Results indicate that only privatized media coverage causes negative effects on trust in politicians. However, recipients with low levels of general trust are not affected by either treatment, while subjects with high general trust levels lose trust in politicians when being exposed to privatized contents. Moreover, effects of privatized stimuli are mediated by trust in journalistic assessment, indicating a spiral of mistrust towards public institutions.
The forgotten actor in media ownership debates: Audiences and their knowledge of media ownership in Flanders
Authors: Van den Bulck Hilde , Panis Koen , Raeijmaekers Daniëlle , Maeseele Pieter
Published: March 2016

The characteristics and scope of media concentration are of great concern to media and communication studies, especially in relation to media diversity and pluralism, considered key in democratic societies. However, to date, there have been few analyses of audiences’ knowledge of media ownership. This contribution explores knowledge of media ownership structures, and how it relates to media use and socio-demographics amongst a representative online sample of the Flemish population (
Quintic threefolds and Fano elevenfolds
Authors: Segal Ed , Thomas Richard
Published: March 2016

The derived category of coherent sheaves on a general quintic threefold is a central object in mirror symmetry. We show that it can be embedded into the derived category of a certain Fano elevenfold. Our proof also generates related examples in different dimensions.
Symmetric differentials and variations of Hodge structures
Authors: Brunebarbe Yohan
Published: March 2016

Let D be a simple normal crossing divisor in a smooth complex projective variety X. We show that the existence on

X
-
D

X-D

of a non-trivial polarized complex variation of Hodge structures with integral monodromy implies that the pair

(
X
,
D
)

(X,D)

has a non-zero logarithmic symmetric differential (a section of a symmetric power of the logarithmic cotangent bundle). When the corresponding period map is generically immersive, we show more precisely that the logarithmic cotangent bundle is big.
Clinical Investigations. T-Lymphocyte Subset Absolute Counts in the Peripheral Blood of Mediterranean Spotted Fever Patients: Relations to Disease Severity / Абсолютное Количество Субпопуляций Т-Лимфоцитов В Перифери- Ческой Крови Пациентов Со Средиземноморской Пятнистой Лихо- Радкой: Установление Связи С Тяжестью Заболевания
Authors: Baltadzhiev Ivan G. , Pavlov Pavel I.
Published: March 2016

INTRODUCTION: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) in Bulgaria is caused by Rickettsia conorii conorii. Aim: This study aims at investigating the absolute counts of T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with MSF in order to establish relationships with disease severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The absolute counts of T-lymphocyte subsets were tested in the blood of 62 patients in the acute stage of MSF. They were assigned into three age and sex matched groups, based on the severity of disease - with mild, moderate or severe forms. Controls were 32 age and sex matched healthy individuals. The diagnosis was confirmed by an immunofluorescence assay. Immunophenotyping was performed using Epics XL-MCL Coulter, USA flow-cytometer. RESULTS: The absolute counts of immune competent (CD3+) cells, as well as the counts of helper/inducer (CD3+CD4+) and suppressor/ cytotoxic (CD3+CD8+) T-cell subsets decreased in parallel with disease severity. Naïve (CD4+CD45RA+) and activated memory (CD4+CD45RO+) T-cell subsets were reduced, particularly in severe MSF. Taken as a whole, the counts of activated (CD3+HLA-DR+) and that of presenting accessory (CD28+) or stimulatory (CD38+) molecules Т-cell subsets was increased, but in the first two subsets the trend from mild to severe forms of the disease was descending. CONCLUSION: Reduced T-lymphocyte subset counts are likely related to trans-migration into perivascular inflammatory foci. The increased number of T-lymphocytes bearing activation molecules reflects a mobilization of the cell-mediated immune response. An important issue of this study is the possible prognostic value of T-cell subsets counting, predicting the evolution of a clinical condition to clinical forms, according to the disease severity.
Risk Factors for Injuries in Professional Football Players / Факторы Риска Получения Травм Профессиональными Футболистами
Authors: Haxhiu Bekim , Murtezani Ardiana , Zahiti Bedri , Shalaj Ismet , Sllamniku Sabit
Published: March 2016

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors related to the occurrence of injuries in football players. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 216 football players from 12 teams in the elite football league. Football-related injury data were collected prospectively during the 2012/2013 competitive season. At baseline the following information was collected for the players: anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI, subcutaneous skinfolds), playing experience, injury history, physical fitness performance test (agility run), peak oxygen uptake. The incidence, type and severity of injuries and training and game exposure times were prospectively documented for each player. RESULTS: Most of the players (n = 155, 71.7%) sustained the injures during the study period. The overall injury incidence during the regular season was 6.3 injuries per 1000 athlete-exposures (95% confidence interval, 4.31-9.67). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that playing experience (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.32-0.61, p < 0.01), age (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.49-2.81, p < 0.01) and a previous injury (OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 2.14-9.07, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated to increased risk of injuries. Body mass index was not associated with risk of injury. Strains (34.19%) and sprains (25.81%) were the major injury types. Twenty-seven percent of injured players were absent from football for more than 1 month, with knee injuries (25.42%) being the most severe type. CONCLUSION: The risk factors that increase injury rates in football players were previous injury, higher age and years of playing. Future research should include adequate rehabilitation program to reduce the risk of injuries.
Heat Transfer Enhancement Around a Cylinder – A CFD Study of Effect of Corner Radius and Prandtl Number
Authors: Dey Prasenjit , Das Ajoy Kumar
Published: March 2016

An unsteady two-dimensional laminar forced convection heat transfer around a square cylinder with rounded corner edge is numerically investigated for Prandtl Number, Pr=0.01–1,000 and non-dimensional corner radius, r=0.50–0.71 at low Reynolds number, Re=100. The effect of gradual transformation of square cylinder into circular cylinder on heat transfer phenomenon is studied. The lateral sides of the computational domain are kept constant to maintain the blockage as 5 %. A structured non-uniform mesh is used for the computational domain and the Finite Volume Method (FVM) based commercial software Ansys FLUENT is used for numerical simulation. The heat transfer characteristics over the rounded corner square cylinder are analyzed with the isotherm patterns, local Nusselt number (Nulocal), average Nusselt number (Nuavg) at various Pr and various corner radii. It is found that the heat transfer rate of a circular cylinder can be enhanced 14 % by introducing a new cylinder geometry of corner radius, r=0. 51.
First record of a bat from the Lakshadweep archipelago, southwestern India
Authors: Deshpande Kadambari , Gangal Mayuresh , Kelkar Nachiket
Published: March 2016

The first record of a bat species from the Lakshadweep archipelago (India) has been identified as
А Меаsuring Method for Gyro-Free Determination of the Parameters of Moving Objects
Authors: Dichev Dimitar , Koev Hristofor , Bakalova Totka , Louda Petr
Published: March 2016

The paper presents a new method for building measuring instruments and systems for gyro-free determination of the parameters of moving objects. To illustrate the qualities of this method, a system for measuring the roll, pitch, heel and trim of a ship has been developed on its basis. The main concept of the method is based, on one hand, on a simplified design of the base coordinate system in the main measurement channel so as to reduce the instrumental errors, and, on the other hand, on an additional measurement channel operating in parallel with the main one and whose hardware and software platform makes possible performing algorithms intended to eliminate the dynamic error in real time. In this way, as well as by using suitable adaptive algorithms in the measurement procedures, low-cost measuring systems operating with high accuracy under conditions of inertial effects and whose parameters (intensity and frequency of the maximum in the spectrum) change within a wide range can be implemented.
Histogram of Oriented Gradients with Cell Average Brightness for Human Detection
Authors: Wójcikowski Marek
Published: March 2016

A modification of the descriptor in a human detector using Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is presented. The proposed modification requires inserting the values of average cell brightness resulting in the increase of the descriptor length from 3780 to 3908 values, but it is easy to compute and instantly gives ≈ 25% improvement of the miss rate at 10‒4 False Positives Per Window (FPPW). The modification has been tested on two versions of HOG-based descriptors: the classic Dalal-Triggs and the modified one, where, instead of spatial Gaussian masks for blocks, an additional central cell has been used. The proposed modification is suitable for hardware implementations of HOG-based detectors, enabling an increase of the detection accuracy or resignation from the use of some hardware-unfriendly operations, such as a spatial Gaussian mask. The results of testing its influence on the brightness changes of test images are also presented. The descriptor may be used in sensor networks equipped with hardware acceleration of image processing to detect humans in the images.
Reiteration: at the intersection of code-switching and translation
Authors: Harjunpää Katariina , Mäkilähde Aleksi
Published: March 2016

One of the most studied forms of multilingual language use is
Multilingual practices in contemporary and historical contexts: interfaces between code-switching and translation
Authors: Kolehmainen Leena , Skaffari Janne
Published: March 2016

This article serves as an introduction to a collection of four articles on multilingual practices in speech and writing, exploring both contemporary and historical sources. It not only introduces the articles but also discusses the scope and definitions of code-switching, attitudes towards multilingual interaction and, most pertinently, the interfaces between code-switching and translation. The article shows that code-switching and translation share a number of features, yet have rarely been treated together. However, as there is a definite need to examine code-switching phenomena – particularly bilingual reiteration, which not only helps crossing language boundaries but also has other functions – from a variety of perspectives, including translation and interpreting studies, the article encourages closer collaboration between code-switching research and translation studies. It is possible to envisage a continuum of multilingual processes and products, with completely monolingual, untranslated text at one end and multilingual material with code-switching but no reiteration at the other. Along this continuum are a number of intermediate stages characterized by different types of inter-textual and intra-textual translation.
Conversations about code-switching: contrasting ideologies of purity and authenticity in Basque bilinguals’ reactions to bilingual speech
Authors: Lantto Hanna
Published: March 2016

This study examines the manifestations of purity and authenticity in 47 Basque bilinguals’ reactions to code-switching. The respondents listened to two speech extracts with code-switching, filled in a short questionnaire and talked about the extracts in small groups. These conversations were then recorded. The respondents’ beliefs can be characterized as considerably ambiguous. They see code-switching as an undesirable form of speech and as a threat to Basque. However, they admit using it in informal contexts. Although the respondents prefer the “pure” form of Basque without code-switching, and some of them favor translation as an alternative strategy, purity is not considered authentic or even possible in situations such as peer-group interactions. Furthermore, code-switching is interpreted differently according to the linguistic background of the speaker: if the speaker is considered a native speaker of Basque, code-switching is seen as natural, whereas in the speech of a non-native speaker it is considered to reflect a lack of competence in Basque.
Initial Tests on Selected Serological Reactions in Rabbits Burnt with Napalm and Subjected to Hyperbaric Oxygenation
Authors: Ulewicz Kazimierz , Michniewski Przemysław , Kierznikowicz Brunon , Łokucijewski Bogdan , Stencel Jan
Published: March 2016

Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy has found its application in the treatment of various types of burns. The presented work describes the use of this method in treating napalm burns in experimental animals. The researchers took particular interest in the immunological reactions occurring in animals, as well as the effect of the said therapy on the healing process.

Two groups of rabbits, previously anaesthetised with Evipan and immunised with S. typhi phage F7 microorganisms, were burnt with the use of napalm. The tested group was subjected to a series of treatment sessions with 100% oxygen at the pressure of 2 atm, whereas the control group did not undergo such treatment. Six repeated tests on complement activity with 50% haemolysis method and heamagglutination reaction quantification with antigens O and H S.typhi phage F7 were carried out on all of the researched animals. Moreover, for the purpose of control of the healing process, a number of histopathological exams on the burn wounds were conducted in both groups of rabbits.

The research showed an increase in complement activity in all tested animals; however, in the tested group it occurred later. Histopathological tests confirmed a more advanced healing process in the group subjected to hyperbaric oxygenation.
Propolis Supplementation and the Changes in the Oxidative Metabolism of Blood Platelets Exposed to Electromagnetic Radiation
Authors: Henrykowska Gabriela , Dziedziczak-Buczyńska Maria , Buczyński Jacek , Ziółkowski Włodzimierz
Published: March 2016

Introduction. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that has an effect on living organisms may be a source of oxidative stress. A lack of proper compensation by antioxidant defences on the part of proteins leading to an uncontrolled growth of reactive forms of oxygen, which may give rise to numerous health conditions. Various scientific studies have indicated that propolis has multiple valuable medicinal properties: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, protective - in relation to liver parenchyma, as well as anti-cancer. Nonetheless, the results of studies concerned with its antioxidant capabilities are not explicit and require further tests and analyses.

Objective. Determination of the effect of propolis supplementation on selected oxidative stress parameters in blood platelets exposed to electromagnetic radiation mitted by LCD monitors.

Material and methods. The material was a suspension containing human blood platelets. A 7% propolis solution was added to a cellular preparation before an exposure to EMR with a frequency of 1 kHz and an intensity of the electric component of 220 V/m (corresponding to sitting a distance of 15 cm from an LCD screen) for a total of 60 minutes. Before the exposure, as well as immediately following it, the researchers determined the level of activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde concentration, and evaluated it with regard to the control sample, i.e. material which was not subjected to EMR exposure.

Results. Electromagnetic radiation caused a statistically significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity as compared with the reference group, irrespective of propolis supplementation. All of the studied groups indicated a minimal increase in the malondialdehyde concentration as compared with its initial values; however, the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions. The obtained results allow to conclude that the analysed electromagnetic radiation produced unfavourable changes in the activity of one of the enzymes responsible for antioxidative protection - superoxide dismutase (SOD - 1), and, moreover, a slight intensification in lipid peroxidation, which is expressed by an increase in malondialdehyde concentration (MDA). The supplementation with 7% propolis solution does not constitute sufficient protection against the negative effect of EMR. It is necessary to conduct further studies as well as determine the behaviour of other antioxidative enzymes.
Deep Diving with the Use of a Crabe Rebreather
Authors: Kłos Ryszard
Published: March 2016

The article provides the results of 31 experimental dives carried out within the depth range of H ∈ [60; 80] mH2O. A combined mathematical model for ventilation and decompression was proposed with the possibility of an emergency omission of the last station at 3 mH2O and decompression completion at 6 mH2O in the event of a deterioration in weather conditions.
Preliminary Clinical Study On Ms Treatment With Hyperbaric Oxygenation
Authors: Ulewicz Kazimierz , Masłowski Janusz , Michniewski Przemysław , Kierznikowicz Brunon , Olszański Romuald
Published: March 2016

The authors conducted the preliminary clinical investigation on 16 multiple sclerosis (Sclerosis multiplex) patients of median disease duration 9.33 years and symptoms evaluated on Kurtzke’s scale. The patients underwent between 25 and 30 hyperbaric oxygen exposures at a pressure of 2 ata in intervals spread over a few days. The patients were qualified and classified to the treatment symptomatologically according to Fisher but the obtained results were evaluated according to the standardised Disability Status Scale by Kurtzke. During the investigations the authors carried out additional quantitative immunoglobulin and complement activity determination, lymphocyte T and B determinations as well as the usually applied clinical and laboratory investigations. Evident clinical improvement was observed in 14 patients, but in the case of one patient a deterioration was observed after 15 hyperbaric expositions (resulting in the hyperbaric oxygen treatment being stopped), whilst in another case no curative effect could be observed. By utilising the 50% haemolysis method, within the examined immunological parameters the authors observed an increase of complement fractions and its activity, white lymphocytes T and B examined qualitatively did not maintain the characteristic shift. The authors are still discussing the obtained results.
Biomonitoring of Inland and Inshore Waters with Use of Dreissena Polymorpha Mussels
Authors: Matuszak Piotr , Grodzicki Grzegorz , Jankowski Tomasz , Matlakiewicz Paweł
Published: March 2016

The pollution of water that is used for consumption and in agricultural holdings contributes to an increased mortality rate, inhibition of growth and physiological functions, changes in the DNA (genotoxicity), changes within tissues (cytotoxicity) and organs of individuals who are exposed to chemical components. One of the most dangerous toxin classes which have effect on animals and humans who come into contact with contaminated water is the class of cyanobacterial toxins released by dying cyanobacteria. They contribute to very serious health conditions and also to fatalities. Toxins of this type are relatively difficult to detect on account of their seasonal changeability in blooming. One of the most effective methods of detecting water contamination automatically and continuously is biomonitoring with the use of Dreissena polymorpha mussels.
The Monetary Policy of the National Bank of Romania in The Inflation Targeting Era. A Taylor Rule Approach
Authors: Căpraru Bogdan , Moise Norel Ionuţ , Rădulescu Andrei
Published: March 2016

In this paper we analyse the monetary policy of the National Bank of Romania during 2005-2015 by estimating the Taylor rule, on a quarterly basis. We determined the potential GDP by employing the Hodrick-Prescott filter, in order to distinguish between the cyclical and the structural components of the output. Then, we estimated the traditional Taylor rule function (with a classic OLS regression), but slightly modified, as to take into account the forward-looking attitude of the NBR. The results confirm the direct correlation between the monetary policy rate and the output gap on the one hand, and the inflation differential (inflation - inflationtarget) on the other hand. Also, the results show us that NBR paid a higher attention to the dynamics of the inflation versus its target than to the output gap. Last, but not least, the central bank has been also sensitive to the financial stability, as reflected by the results of the incorporation of the ROBOR-EURIBOR spread in the classical Taylor rule.
Different Web Credibility Assessment as a Result of One Year Difference in Education
Authors: Ţugulea Oana
Published: March 2016

This study is based on the hypothesis that one year of study difference between students underlines different evaluations of the dimensions of commercial presentation websites’ credibility. The objectives of this study are: (-) highlighting significant differences of credibility dimensions evaluation between second and third year of study students; (-) highlighting the dimensions considered to be important by the second year of study students; (-) highlighting the dimensions considered to be important by the third year of study students. For presentation commercial Websites, as approached by this study, second year of study students consider “site-user connection” and “information support” as important dimensions; for the same category of Websites, third year of study students consider “ease of use”, “real world feel” and “site-etiquette” as important dimensions.