bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achilles tendon rupture rehabilitation
Authors: Kearney R. S. , Parsons N. , Underwood M. , Costa M. L.
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The evidence base to inform the management of Achilles tendon rupture is sparse. The objectives of this research were to establish what current practice is in the United Kingdom and explore clinicians’ views on proposed further research in this area. This study was registered with the ISRCTN (ISRCTN68273773) as part of a larger programme of research.

Methods

We report an online survey of current practice in the United Kingdom, approved by the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and completed by 181 of its members. A total of ten of these respondents were invited for a subsequent one-to-one interview to explore clinician views on proposed further research in this area.

Results

The survey showed wide variations in practice, with patients being managed in plaster cast alone (13%), plaster cast followed by orthoses management (68%), and orthoses alone (19%). Within these categories, further variation existed regarding the individual rehabilitation facets, such as the length of time worn, the foot position within them and weight-bearing status. The subsequent interviews reflected this clinical uncertainty and the pressing need for definitive research.

Conclusions

The gap in evidence in this area has resulted in practice in the United Kingdom becoming varied and based on individual opinion. Future high-quality randomised trials on this subject are supported by the clinical community. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:65–9
Participatory culture and informal music learning through video creation in the curriculum
Authors: Cayari Christopher
Published: April 2015

With the emergence of YouTube, social media and video creation technologies, music education can expand its scope to include video-based music creation. This multimodal study examines how undergraduate music education students created music videos during an informal music learning project in an introduction to music education and technology course at a large, Midwestern, public university. Data were collected in three modes: observation of students’ music video projects, a web survey including both quantitative and qualitative questions, and student interviews. Excerpts from the projects were shown during class and students were encouraged to share their videos with others on the Internet thus developing a community in the classroom that expanded through social media. Overall, students reacted positively to creating music videos as part of the curriculum. The projects led to a self-reported sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for almost all of the respondents. Because the students were given the opportunity to create music videos on their own terms, a diversity of video types emerged: covers, instrumental explorations, activism and awareness videos, musical artistic statements and virtual ensemble arrangements. The respondents used a variety of hardware and software, approaches to recording and musical genres. The informal music learning practice of ‘dropping students in the deep end’ proved to be initially intimidating, but ultimately freeing.
‘Embodied writing support’: The importance of the body in engaging students with writing
Authors: Clughen Lisa
Published: April 2015

Scholars from a wide range of disciplines – from linguistics, neuroscience and science to education, Sports and Leisure and telecommunications – have argued for the centrality of the body to effective learning environments. My contention in this article is that embracing the body is also crucial for creating empowering environments to support writing in UK Higher Education (HE). Drawing mainly on feminist theories of the body, I discuss how I have attempted to do this in my own work in academic literacy support with a specific consideration on the creation of supportive spaces for writing. The intention here is to theorize ways in which the body might relate to writing and to stimulate creative ideas about how this burgeoning field of ‘embodied writing support’ can be further developed.
Relectura de la educación por competencias desde el pragmatismo de John Dewey
Authors: Jover Gonzalo , García Fernández Alicia
Published: April 2015

En las últimas décadas se ha generado un interés renovado por el pragmatismo y John Dewey. En el ámbito de la educación, la apelación a Dewey se ha convertido en un recurso habitual como antecedente de diversas propuestas, entre ellas, el aprendizaje por competencias. Emanado del ámbito de la formación y la gestión profesional, la necesidad de adaptar los sistemas de educación y formación a las demandas planteadas por la sociedad y la economía actual, ha hecho que este enfoque del trabajo pedagógico se haya instalado con fuerza en las políticas educativas nacionales e internacionales. El objetivo en este artículo es mostrar las posibilidades de filiación que existen entre el aprendizaje por competencias y las propuestas del filósofo y pedagogo americano. Para ello, en primer lugar se rastrea esta filiación en el marco del empeño deweyano de reconstrucción democrática, mediante la exhortación a un nuevo individualismo que lograse conciliar el desarrollo de la individualidad con la participación en un espíritu de vida comunitario. A continuación, el análisis se mueve al rechazo de Dewey a los dualismos y los debates que mantuvo con respecto a la articulación de la formación profesional y la educación general. Por último, se exploran las consecuencias que para el enfoque de las competencias cabe extraer de la propuesta de cambio de una lógica absolutista a una lógica de la experimentación. La filosofía de la educación de Dewey no necesariamente es contraria a una formación en competencias. Él insistió mucho en la necesidad de aproximar la educación a las necesidades sociales del momento, sin dejarse atrapar por la antigua distinción que rebaja la educación profesional y práctica a una formación de segunda categoría. Pero habría sido reacio a una formación en competencias según una lista cerrada y preestablecida de antemano, que prefijase un determinado perfil de la persona a alcanzar, obstruyendo la libertad y creatividad del alumno.
Teorías y modelos sobre el aprendizaje en entornos conectados y ubicuos. Bases para un nuevo modelo teórico a partir de una visión crítica del “conectivismo”
Authors: Zapata-Ros Miguel
Published: April 2015

En este trabajo se exponen las bases para la construcción de un modelo teórico del aprendizaje, y de la elaboración del conocimiento, a partir de entornos conectados de aprendizaje. Para ello partiremos de una visión crítica del conectivismo, y de una premisa básica: el reconocimiento y estudio de las aportaciones de las teorías existentes, cuyo alcance está todavía por desarrollar en función de las potencialidades y “affordances” de los entornos sociales y ubicuos. Además hacemos una serie de reflexiones y formulamos hipótesis sobre las causas que están en el origen del conectivismo en la etapa actual de desarrollo, en la Sociedad del Conocimiento y de la Información, para, en una fase posterior, utilizar las conclusiones como base de un nuevo modelo.
The problems experienced by science teachers in their profession and difficulties they are confronted with in science teaching
 Fen Bilimleri öğretmenlerinin meslekte karşılaştıkları problemler ve fen öğretiminde yaşadıkları zorluklar
Authors: Akıncı Barış , Uzun Naim , Kışoğlu Mustafa
Published: April 2015

The purpose of the current study is to reveal some important problems encountered by science teachers in their profession and science teaching and to suggest about these problems. The present study is a descriptive study designed in the survey model. The study group consists of 545 science teachers working in 76 different cities of Turkey. Based on a literature review and by collecting the opinions of 201 science teachers via e-mail, a 37-item questionnaire was developed. Cronbach Alpha coefficient for the reliability of the questionnaire was found to be 0.70. The questionnaire was administered in as on-line. The data were analyzed through SPSS program package and descriptive statistics related to the data were evaluated. In this regard, frequencies and percentages were calculated. Based on the opinions of the teachers, evaluations were made about the problems experienced by science teachers in their profession and science teaching. The findings are presented together with suggestions for solutions.   

 

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Fen Bilimleri öğretmenlerinin fen öğretiminde ve mesleklerinde karşılaştıkları bazı önemli sorunları ortaya koymak ve bunlara ilişkin çözüm yolları üretmektir. Araştırma, tarama modelinde yapılmış betimsel bir çalışmadır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Türkiye’nin 76 farklı ilinde görev yapan 545 Fen Bilimleri öğretmeni oluşturmaktadır. Literatürden faydalanılarak ve 201 Fen Bilimleri öğretmeninin mail yolu ile görüşleri alınarak 37 sorudan oluşan bir anket geliştirilmiştir. Anketin güvenirliğine ilişkin Cronbach Alpha katsayısı 0.70 olarak bulunmuştur. Anket, dijital ortamda çevrimiçi olarak uygulanmıştır. Veriler SPSS programıyla analiz edilmiş, verilere ait be­timsel istatistikler incelenmiştir. Bu kapsamda frekans analizi ve yüzde hesaplamaları yapılmıştır. Öğretmenlerin görüşleri doğrultusunda fen bilimleri öğretiminde ve meslekte yaşanan sorunlarla ilgili değerlendirmeler yapılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular çözüm önerileriyle birlikte sunulmuştur.
Measuring the Effect of Multimarket Contact on Competition: Evidence from Mergers Following Radio Broadcast Ownership Deregulation
Authors: Waldfogel Joel , Wulf Julie
Published: April 2015

This paper examines the effects of multimarket contact on advertising prices in the U.S. radio broadcasting industry. While it is in general difficult to measure the effect of multimarket contact on competition, the 1996 Telecommunications Act substantially relaxed local radio ownership restrictions, giving rise to a major and exogenous consolidation wave. Between the years of 1995 to 1998, the average extent of multimarket contact in major U.S. media markets increased by 2.5 times. Importantly, the extent of change in multimarket contact varies across markets, and the change in multimarket contact varies separately from the change in concentration. Using a panel data set on 248 geographic U.S. radio broadcast markets, 1995-1998, we find that multimarket contact has little effect on advertising prices. This paper contributes to the empirical literature on multimarket contact by analyzing a different industrial context and using longitudinal data surrounding an ownership deregulation.
Tariffs and Firm-Level Heterogeneous Fixed Export Costs
Authors: Jørgensen Jan Guldager , Schröder Philipp J. H.
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a two-country intra-industry trade model with bilateral ad valorem tariffs and fixed export costs that are heterogeneous across firms. In this model not all firms will choose to export. We examine the effects of reciprocal changes in the tariff and the fixed export barrier on the number of firms, firm profits, tariff revenue and consumer welfare. We show that both types of trade barriers reduce (increase) the number of exporting (pure domestic) firms. However, the sum of available home and foreign varieties increases for small tariffs. Firm profits are falling in both tariff and fixed export cost barriers. Tariff revenue falls when fixed export costs increase whereas we have a Laffer curve effect for the tariff. Welfare falls when fixed export costs increase and increases for small tariffs and falls for large tariffs, i.e. there exists a welfare maximizing tariff.
Vertical Foreign Direct Investment, Welfare, and Employment
Authors: Elberfeld Walter , Götz Georg , Stähler Frank
Published: April 2015

This paper shows that vertical foreign direct investment will reduce prices but the aggregate welfare effect is unambiguously positive only under free market entry. Using a standard model of imperfect competition, we develop this result by considering two different cases. In the first case, the total number of firms is fixed, and we show that national and multinational firms may coexist. In the second case, we allow for market entry, and we focus on situations in which either only national or only multinational firms are active. Furthermore, we discuss impact effects on labor demand. We show that a decline in foreign wages increases domestic employment.
A Modigliani-Miller Theory of Altruistic Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Graff Zivin Joshua , Small Arthur
Published: April 2015

A new theory of altruistic corporate social responsibility is developed. Firms that advertise their social and environmental good works in effect solicit charitable contributions from customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. They compete with not-for-profits in the market to supply public and altruistic goods. To analyze how corporate altruism affects firm valuations, a model is developed in which investors gain utility both from personal consumption and from making donations to worthy causes. A share in a “responsible" firm is a charity-investment bundle. When individuals view corporations and not-for-profits as equally competent suppliers of charity-related “warm glow," small changes in firms' social policies induce exactly offsetting changes in individuals' portfolio choices. There is no effect on firm valuations, and no change in the aggregate supply of good works. When a sizable fraction of investors prefer corporate philanthropy over direct charitable giving (e.g., to avoid taxation of corporate profits), firm valuations will be maximized by following social policies that involve strictly positive levels of corporate altruism.
A Calculator for Energy Consumption Changes Arising from New Technologies
Authors: Saunders Harry D
Published: April 2015

This article offers a simple, easy-to-use tool, CECANT, that allows policy analysts to calculate the economy-wide or sectoral energy use effects of new or prospective energy efficiency technologies. Such effects are in general intricate and subtle. Unlike more complex general equilibrium models, the tool requires only that the researcher has access to econometric estimates of the economy’s (or sector’s) cost function. CECANT enables analysts to rapidly address key policy questions related to reducing carbon emissions, such as setting R&D priorities, managing the deployment of different technologies in different sectors, and comparing technology effectiveness across countries. A user-friendly software implementation accompanies this article, and examples are given showing its use.
Stakeholder pressures on corporate climate change-related accountability and disclosures: Australian evidence
Authors: Haque Shamima , Islam Muhammad Azizul
Published: April 2015

This study investigates stakeholder pressures on corporate climate change-related accountability and disclosure practices in Australia. While existing scholarship investigates stakeholder pressures on companies to discharge their broader accountability through general social and environmental disclosures, there is a lack of research investigating whether and how stakeholder pressures emerge to influence accountability and disclosure practices related to climate change. We surveyed various stakeholder groups to understand their concerns about climate change-related corporate accountability and disclosure practices. We present three primary findings: first, while NGOs and the media have some influence, institutional investors and government bodies (regulators) are perceived to be the most powerful stakeholders in generating climate change-related concern and coercive pressure on corporations to be accountable. Second, corporate climate change-related disclosures, as documented through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), are positively associated with such perceived coercive pressures. Lastly, we find a positive correlation between the level of media attention to climate change and Australian corporate responses to the CDP. Our results indicate that corporations will not disclose climate change information until pressured by non-financial stakeholders. This suggests a larger role for non-financial actors than previously theorized, with several policy implications.
Cooling off periods in franchise contracts: from consumer protection mechanisms to paternalistic remedies for behavioral biases
Authors: Atwell Courtenay
Published: April 2015

The “cooling-off period” has remained a fixture of domestic consumer-protection legislation. Yet, as I argue in this paper, the longevity of these provisions is neither the result of their effectiveness at solving the problems they were intended to solve nor the forces of path dependence. Rather, I suggest that the cooling-off period has endured because of a process of gradual ideational adaptation. Over the course of the 20th century, legal and economic intellectuals advising government agencies have abandoned traditional consumer-protection rationales that led to the creation of cooling-off periods in favor of a paternalistic policy orientation that integrates behavioral science insights. Though the organizational problems the cooling-off period were expected to resolve have been more effectively addressed through the concurrent institution of other protective measures, such as the disclosure document and compulsory advisory provisions, the cooling-off period has found new uses and advocates, which have made it far from obsolete.
Analytical performance specifications based on how clinicians use laboratory tests. Experiences from a post-analytical external quality assessment programme
Authors: Thue Geir , Sandberg Sverre
Published: April 2015

Analytical performance specifications can be based on three different models: the effect of analytical performance on clinical outcome, based on components of biological variation of the measurand or based on state-of-the-art. Models 1 and 3 may to some degree be combined by using case histories presented to a large number of clinicians. The Norwegian Quality Improvement of Primary Care Laboratories (Noklus) has integrated vignettes in its external quality assessment programme since 1991, focusing on typical clinical situations in primary care. Haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), HbA
Is laboratory medicine ready for the era of personalized medicine? A survey addressed to laboratory directors of hospitals/academic schools of medicine in Europe
Authors: Malentacchi Francesca , Mancini Irene , Brandslund Ivan , Vermeersch Pieter , Schwab Matthias , Marc Janja , van Schaik Ron H.N. , Siest Gerard , Theodorsson Elvar , Pazzagli Mario , Di Resta Chiara , on behalf of the European Federatio
Published: April 2015

Developments in “-omics” are creating a paradigm shift in laboratory medicine leading to personalized medicine. This allows the increase in diagnostics and therapeutics focused on individuals rather than populations. In order to investigate whether laboratory medicine is ready to play a key role in the integration of personalized medicine in routine health care and set the state-of-the-art knowledge about personalized medicine and laboratory medicine in Europe, a questionnaire was constructed under the auspices of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) and the European Society of Pharmacogenomics and Personalised Therapy (ESPT). The answers of the participating laboratory medicine professionals indicate that they are aware that personalized medicine can represent a new and promising health model, and that laboratory medicine should play a key role in supporting the implementation of personalized medicine in the clinical setting. Participants think that the current organization of laboratory medicine needs additional/relevant implementations such as (i) new technological facilities in -omics; (ii) additional training for the current personnel focused on the new methodologies; (iii) incorporation in the laboratory of new competencies in data interpretation and counseling; and (iv) cooperation and collaboration among professionals of different disciplines to integrate information according to a personalized medicine approach.
A hygrothermo-mechanical model for wood: part A. Poroelastic formulation and validation with neutron imaging
Authors: Abbasion Saeed , Carmeliet Jan , Gilani Marjan Sedighi , Vontobel Peter , Derome Dominique
Published: April 2015

The correct prediction of the behavior of wood components undergoing environmental loading or industrial process requires that the hygrothermal and mechanical (HTM) behavior of wood is considered in a coupled manner. A fully coupled poromechanical approach is proposed and validated with neutron imaging measurements of moist wood specimens exposed to high temperature. This paper demonstrates that a coupled HTM approach adequately captures the variations of temperature, moisture content, and dimensions that result in a moist wood sample exposed to one-side heating.
Modeling the Total Residence Time in a Rotary Dryer
Authors: Huang Zhi-Gang , Weng Yun-Xuan , Fu Nan , Fu Zong-Qiang , Li Dong , Dong Chen Xiao
Published: April 2015

A mathematical model for the rotary dryer that determines the total residence time is developed. Experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale direct contact rotary dryer with the gas flowing concurrently with the solids. The model predictions depicted that the total residence time decreases with increasing the inclination of the rotary drum, the speed of rotation and the radius of rotary drum. The validation of the model was carried out experimentally for maize while varying the inclination of the rotary drum and the speed of rotation. The experimental results were observed to be in good agreement with the model predictions.
Performance Analysis of SAC Optical PPM-CDMA System-Based Interference Rejection Technique
Authors: Alsowaidi N. , Eltaif Tawfig , Mokhtar M. R.
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we aim to theoretically analyse optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) system that based on successive interference cancellation (SIC) using pulse position modulation (PPM), considering the interference between the users, imperfection cancellation occurred during the cancellation process and receiver noises. Spectral amplitude coding (SAC) scheme is used to suppress the overlapping between the users and reduce the receiver noises effect. The theoretical analysis of the multiple access interference (MAI)-limited performance of this approach indicates the influence of the size of
Fabrication and characterization of thermally conductive composites based on poly(butylene terephthalate)/glass fiber-silicon carbide
Authors: Cai Xia , Xu Jinghong , Shen Fenglei
Published: April 2015

A new method is reported for preparing poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/glass fiber (GF)-silicon carbide (SiC) composites. GFs were coated with SiC particles firstly and then the treated GFs (GF-SiC) were mixed with PBT. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that some SiC particles dispersed on the surfaces of GFs, and other particles fell off from surfaces of GFs and dispersed around GFs after processing. The thermal conductivities of composites are increased with increase of GF-SiC. At 30 wt% GF-SiC, the thermal conductivity of composites reached 0.6392 W/mK, which improved nearly 160% compared to that of neat polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that GF-SiC increased crystallinity of PBT compared with that of neat PBT and had no obvious influence on the melting temperature of PBT. The crystallization temperature (Tc) and glass transition temperature of all samples shifted to a higher temperature. The addition of GF-SiC can improve the thermal stability of PBT/GF-SiC composites obviously. Dynamic mechanical properties and dielectric properties were also discussed in this paper.
World Organizations – (Re-)Conceptualizing International Organizations
Authors: Koch Martin
Published: April 2015

The article tries to theoretically re-conceptualize international organizations as world organizations. As International Relations Theories primarily concentrate on the linkage between states and international organizations they mostly neglect conceptualizing them and their changing roles in world politics. This contribution therefore suggests conceptualizing international organizations from an organization studies perspective as open system embedded in and influenced by its societal environment, i.e., world society. Thus, international organizations having no spatial restrictions concerning its membership shall be conceived as world organizations by differentiating four key characteristics: world semantics, inner world, external relations, and world order. Taking an open system’s perspective as the common ground for these four characteristics world organizations will be illustrated by focusing on the World Trade Organization and World Bank.
Crystal structures of three isomeric 4-[3-(dichlorophenyl)-hexahydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-1-yl]-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinolines: importance of cage-type and π(quinoline)⋯π(quinoline) dimeric motifs
Authors: de Souza Marcus V.N. , Goncalves Raoni S.B. , Wardell Solange M.S.V. , Wardell James L.
Published: April 2015

The crystal structures of three isomeric 4-[3-(dichlorophenyl)-hexahydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-1-yl]-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinolines, (5: X2 = 2,3-, 2,4- and 2,5-Cl2) have been determined and have been compared to those of related compounds. The crystallographic asymmetric unit of each of (5: X2 = 2,4-Cl2) and (5: X2 = 3,4-Cl2) consists of a single molecule, while that of (5: X2 = 2,3-Cl2) contains two independent molecules – Molecule A and Molecule B. Each of the three compounds crystallizes in the triclinic space group, P1̅. The supramoleular arrangements of the three compounds are generated from combinations of some of C–H⋯X (X = F, Cl, and O), C–X⋯π (X = H, F and Cl) and π⋯π interactions. The presence and significance of two centrosymmetric structural dimeric motives – cage-type dimers, formed (i) from the intermeshing of “F”-shaped monomers, and (ii) π(quinoline)⋯π(quinoline) interactions, reported to arise frequently in other 4-[3-aryl-hexahydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-1-yl]-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinolone compounds, were investigated. Both (5: X2 = 2,4-Cl2) and (5: X2 = 3,4-Cl2) exhibit cage-type dimers. In the cases of molecule B of (5: X2 = 2,3-Cl2) and (5: X2 = 3,4-Cl2), the π(quinoline)⋯π(quinoline) interactions are strong, but are much weaker in molecule A of (5: X2 = 2,3-Cl2) and (5: X2 = 2,4-Cl2).
A supramolecular 3-D organic-inorganic hybrid structure based on {PMo12} layers arranged in an alternating mode
Authors: Cao Yue , Yu Kai , Wang Chun-mei , Wang Chun-xiao , Su Zhan-hua , Zhou Bai-bin
Published: April 2015

An organic-inorganic hybrid compound based on {PMo12} layers, [Ag(pz)2]6[PMo12O40]2·3H2O 1 (pz = pyrazole), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, TG, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two crystallographically independent [PMo12O40]3– clusters are arranged in an AB–AB mode to give two kinds of supramolecular layers. The layers are further connected in a special alternating mode by [Ag(pz)2]+ linkers to form complex 3-D supramolecular network. Compound 1 exhibits good electrocatalytic activity in the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and shows fluorescence in the solid state at room temperature.
Simulating bio-composite cycling helmet performance through FEA and CFD approaches
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Naim
Published: April 2015

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis were performed in this work in order to obtain the best design for safety and aerodynamic performance of the bicycle cycling helmet. FEA analysis was computed on two different helmet designs to determine the critical area subjected to impact. A pressure load was applied on the helmets’ outer surface to simulate oblique loading. The critical areas of the helmets were then highlighted and identified, enabling design improvements to be made on both designs. CFD analysis was then executed in order to obtain the lowest drag coefficient number in reducing the air resistance induced by both of the helmet designs, inherently increasing cyclist performance and ensuring competition success.
Comparison between twelve and six sets of high load leg extension on muscle strength
Authors: Shibata Keisuke , Takizawa Kazuki , Mizuno Masao
Published: April 2015

There are many studies about muscle strength after eccentric exercise. However, muscle strength after weight resistance exercise including the concentric and eccentric phases, which are usually performed in resistance training, has not been fully investigated. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of mid- and high-volume weight resistance exercise on muscle strength. Sixteen subjects were divided into a high-volume group who performed 12 sets (12SET, n=8) and a mid-volume group who performed 6 sets (6SET, n=8). They performed leg extension on the first day. The exercise load was 4~6 RM. The rest between sets was 3 minutes. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), isokinetic strength (30°/ sec.: ISOK30, 60°/ sec.: ISOK60, 150°/ sec.: ISOK150, 240°/ sec.: ISOK240), muscle soreness, and thigh circumference were measured before (PRE), after (POST), and 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, 5 day, and 7 day after exercise. The only significant effect was time in all measurements. Although MVC decreased at POST, it recovered to the level of PRE by1 day after exercise. ISOK150 and ISOK240 showed similar results to MVC. ISOK30 showed a lower value at 1 day after exercise. ISOK60 did not change throughout the experiment. Muscle soreness was higher at POST, 1 day and 2 days after exercise. Peak muscle soreness was higher for 12SET than for 6SET. Thigh circumference was higher at POST and 1 day after exercise. These results indicated that muscle damage was lower than previously reported after eccentric exercise. In addition, there was no difference between 12 sets and 6 sets of weight resistance exercise except for peak muscle soreness. Our results suggest that muscle strength after leg extension recovers by two days irrespective of whether 12 sets or 6 sets of high load leg extension are performed.
Nesfatin-1 inhibits proliferation and enhances apoptosis of human adrenocortical H295R cells
Authors: Ramanjaneya Manjunath , Tan Bee K , Rucinski Marcin , Kawan Mohamed , Hu Jiamiao , Kaur Jaspreet , Patel Vanlata H , Malendowicz Ludwik K , Komarowska Hanna , Lehnert Hendrik , Randeva Harpal S
Published: April 2015

NUCB2/nesfatin and its proteolytically cleaved product nesfatin-1 are recently discovered anorexigenic hypothalamic neuroproteins involved in energy homeostasis. It is expressed both centrally and in peripheral tissues, and appears to have potent metabolic actions. NUCB2/nesfatin neurons are activated in response to stress. Central nesfatin-1 administration elevates circulating ACTH and corticosterone levels. Bilateral adrenalectomy increased NUCB2/nesfatin mRNA levels in rat paraventricular nuclei. To date, studies have not assessed the effects of nesfatin-1 stimulation on human adrenocortical cells. Therefore, we investigated the expression and effects of nesfatin-1 in a human adrenocortical cell model (H295R). Our findings demonstrate that NUCB2 and nesfatin-1 are expressed in human adrenal gland and human adrenocortical cells (H295R). Stimulation with nesfatin-1 inhibits the growth of H295R cells and promotes apoptosis, potentially via the involvement of Bax, BCL-XL and BCL-2 genes as well as ERK1/2, p38 and JNK1/2 signalling cascades. This has implications for understanding the role of NUCB2/nesfatin in adrenal zonal development. NUCB2/nesfatin may also be a therapeutic target for adrenal cancer. However, further studies using in vivo models are needed to clarify these concepts.
Effect of estrogen receptor-subtype-specific ligands on fertility in adult male rats
Authors: Dumasia Kushaan , Kumar Anita , Kadam Leena , Balasinor N H
Published: April 2015

Maintenance of normal male fertility relies on the process of spermatogenesis which is under complex endocrine control by mechanisms involving gonadotropin and steroid hormones. Although testosterone is the primary sex steroid in males, estrogen is locally produced in the testis and plays a very crucial role in male fertility. This is evident from presence of both the estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) in the testis and their absence, as in the case of knockout mice models, leads to sterility. The present study was undertaken to understand individual roles of the two ERs in spermatogenesis and their direct contribution towards the maintenance of male fertility using receptor-subtype-specific ligands. Administration of ERα and β agonists to adult male rats for 60 days results in a significant decrease in fertility, mainly due to an increase in pre- and post-implantation loss and a concomitant decrease in litter size and sperm counts. Our results indicate that ERα is mainly involved in negative feedback regulation of gonadotropin hormones, whereas both ERs are involved in regulation of prolactin and testosterone production. Histological examinations of the testis reveal that ERβ could be involved in the process of spermiation since many failed spermatids were observed in stages IX–XI following ERβ agonist treatment. Our results indicate that overactivation of estrogen signaling through either of its receptors can have detrimental effects on the fertility parameters and that the two ERs have both overlapping and distinct roles in maintenance of male fertility.
Functional Analysis of Developmentally Regulated Geneschs7andsec22in the AscomyceteSordaria macrospora
Authors: Traeger Stefanie , Nowrousian Minou
Published: April 2015

During sexual development, filamentous ascomycetes form complex, three-dimensional fruiting bodies for the generation and dispersal of spores. In previous studies, we identified genes with evolutionary conserved expression patterns during fruiting body formation in several fungal species. Here, we present the functional analysis of two developmentally up-regulated genes, chs7 and sec22, in the ascomycete Sordaria macrospora. The genes encode a class VII (division III) chitin synthase and a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein, respectively. Deletion mutants of chs7 had normal vegetative growth and were fully fertile but showed sensitivity toward cell wall stress. Deletion of sec22 resulted in a reduced number of ascospores and in defects in ascospore pigmentation and germination, whereas vegetative growth was normal in the mutant. A SEC22-EGFP fusion construct under control of the native sec22 promoter and terminator regions was expressed during different stages of sexual development. Expression of several development-related genes was deregulated in the sec22 mutant, including three genes involved in melanin biosynthesis. Our data indicate that chs7 is dispensable for fruiting body formation in S. macrospora, whereas sec22 is required for ascospore maturation and germination and thus involved in late stages of sexual development.
Exotic and invasive fishes in Mexico
Authors: Espinosa Perez Hector , Ramírez H. Montserrat
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a list of the exotic fish species introduced in Mexican aquatic systems. This list is the result of the systematized information contained in several databases of ichthyological collections around the world and different publications. A total of 104 species were found, distributed in 19 families and 51 genera. The most species-rich were Cyprinidae with 22 species, Poeciliidae (19 species), Cichlidae (15 species) and Centrarchidae (13 species). A map and an electronic database were created based on the knowledge of the species, showing the known introductions of exotic fishes in the country. The information was obtained from a database stored in the Colección Nacional de Peces IBUNAM, which can be accessed online. This study has a high importance for the knowledge of the exotic fish fauna of Mexico and its current status.
Foundations of Superluminal Relativistic Mechanics
Authors: Hassani Mohamed Elmansour
Published: April 2015

The paper provides an elementary derivation of new superluminal spatio-temporal transformations based on the idea that, conceptually and kinematically, each subluminal, luminal and/or superluminal inertial reference frame has, in addition to its relative velocity, its proper specific kinematical parameter, which having the physical dimensions of a constant speed. Consequently, the relativity principle and causality principle both are coherently extended to superluminal velocities and, more importantly, this original approach constitutes the first basic step toward the formulation of superluminal relativistic mechanics, which is in fact a pure superluminalization of special relativity theory.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of TiO\(_{2}\)-Fe@CNTs Nanocomposite for Methylene Blue Degradation under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Chi Le Ha , Long Pham Duy , Chuc Nguyen Van , Hong Le Van
Published: April 2015

TiO2 is one of the most attractive metal oxides because of the excellent chemical and photocatalytic properties. However, a problem in the application of TiO2 is the large band gap energy of 3.2 eV, corresponding to its photocatalytic activity under UV-light irradiation of wavelengths <387 nm. In this work, TiO2 nanoparticles doped with iron were grown on the surface of functionalized carbon nanotubes (TiO2-Fe@CNTs) to expand the photoabsorbance of the nanocomposite materials in the visible light region and improve their photocatalytic activity. TiO2-Fe@CNTs nanocomposite materials were synthesized by hydrothermal route in Teflon-sealed autoclave at 180oC for 10h. The FE-SEM and X-Ray diffraction measurements were taken for morphology and structural analysis of TiO2 nanoparticles doped with Fe coating on CNTs. The effects of the iron and CNTs on the enhanced photocatalytic activity for methylene blue degradation under AM 1.5 illumination of 100 mW.cm−2 were investigated.
FEATURES OF THE FORMATION OF ARCHITECTURAL AND PLANNING STRUCTURES BIOPHARMACEUTICAL CLUSTER
Authors: AKhMEDOVA E. A , KOL'ZhANOVA O. A
Published: April 2015

The article describes the basic principles of clustering, analyzed the experience of cluster formation in the developing world, and the main differences and similarities. Compiled a conditional model, which displays basic principles of the structure of biopharmaceutical cluster in the modern world.
THE IMPACT OF THE TECHNICAL CONDITION OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS OF DANGEROUS INDUSTRIAL OBJECTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
Authors: ZUBANOV S. V , TKAChEV E. V
Published: April 2015

There are considered notions of ecological and industrial safety. There are given examples of the damage of structures of industrial buildings. There are considered reasons of occurrence of possible accidents of buildings at the industrial enterprises and the drawbacks of the system of industrial safety of buildings and structures.
PROBLEMS OF DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND THE WAYS OF THEIR SOLVING BY TERTIARY TREATMENT OF TAP WATER AT FILTERS WITH BIRCH ACTIVATED CARBON MODIFIED BY FULLERENES
Authors: GRUN N. A , KIM A. N
Published: April 2015

The experimental research is made and calculated dependences of tertiary treatment on filter-cycles duration at filters with birch activated carbon modified by fullerenes are got.
RECYCLING OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID WASTE PICKLING SOLUTIONS CONTAINING IONS OF HEAVY METALS
Authors: KALJUKOVA Eugenia N , SAVINYKH Vladimir V , VORONTSOV Alexey O
Published: April 2015

Conducted a study of the recycling process muriatic pickling solution containing cations of heavy metals. According to the results obtained when using oxidants in the process of allocation of the solid residue from the pickling solution increases the degree of extraction of cations of iron and zinc. Determinethecompositionofdrysediment.
BUILDING A SIMPLE MODEL OF HYDRAULIC PIPELINE LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF ITS LENGTH
Authors: KOCHETOV Oleg A
Published: April 2015

Determination of hidden water leaks from the centralized water supply is a major concern for the various utilities. A large number of hidden leaks leads to greater fi nancial and physical costs of remediation and other works. This shows the need for an operational defi nition of hidden leaks, using not only special expensive equipment, but also relying on the available data is theoretically modeled and the fact of the leak.
JUSTIFICATION OF DESIGN OF THE SELF-ROTATING AERATOR FOR GRAVITY NETWORK OF SEWERAGE
Authors: MKRTCHYAN Tariel Mher , SERPOKRILOV Evgenia N
Published: April 2015

А new aerators model has been design for urban wastewater networks. Aerator sets in manhole and rotates by wastewaters hydraulic pressure and friction force on the disc surface. As a result it is introduce a self-rotate system that follows by wastewaters aeration.
OPERATING (FUNCTIONAL) CHARACTERISTICS OF APARTMENT PRESSURE REGULATORS AND ENERGY SAVING
Authors: STRELKOV Alexander K , ZOTOVA Irina Yu
Published: April 2015

The reasons of loss of water in apartment buildings due to excessive pressures (pressure) of water appliances. It is shown that the practical implementation of the regulatory requirements on the application of the apartment pressure regulators revealed its signifi cant systemic defect - worded compulsory hardware requirements are minimal, but not exhaustive, which eliminates the positive eff ect of its application. Defi nes the ways of improving the design of apartment pressure regulators and the mandatory requirements of the safety of buildings and structures.
THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF BIOCIDE
Authors: ATANOV Nikolai A , SIDORENKO Margarita A
Published: April 2015

Dealt with the question of the mechanism of action of biocides to regulate the intensity of the biological processes in the circulating water systems: classifi cation of biocides, resistance of biocenose to the action of a biocide, dosing modes of inhibition.
SELECTION OF OPTIMAL SCHEMES WATER-BASED SOFTWARE SYSTEM «SUPWATER»
Authors: BORONINA Ludmila V , SADCHIKOV Pavel N
Published: April 2015

A mathematical model of choosing the most eff ective water purifi cation process chain, depending on the level of background contamination of water sources and the presence of anthropogenic pollutants on the basis of a classifi er system means PC SupWater.
DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROTECTIVE BARRIER RAINWATER-TREATMENT COMPLEX FOR SMALL WATER SUPPLY
Authors: BORONINA Ludmila V , SERPOKRILOV Evgenia S , TAZHIEV Svetlana Z
Published: April 2015

Developed by rainwater, sewage treatment plant for small water supply facilities, which ensures fence design flow of water and feed it to the consumer, can protect the water system from penetrating into the trash, plankton, sediment, ice, etc., to protect juvenile fish from entering the drainage.
"L'Étranger" de Camus em "Les Misérables" de Hugo
Authors: Szabo Gustav James
Published: April 2015

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Os itinerários da selva: na Amazônia
Authors: Queiroz Maria José de
Published: April 2015

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A colocação das palavras
Authors: Rocha Antônio de Abreu
Published: April 2015

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A escrita da viagem: realidade e representação em Élio Vittorini e José Cardoso Pires
Authors: Miranda Wander Melo
Published: April 2015

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Provérbios e expressões proverbiais em português e italiano
Authors: Schreiber Maria Romano , Silva Maria Renault de Castro
Published: April 2015

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Ficção e realidade em romance haitiano
Authors: Carvalhal Tânia Franco
Published: April 2015

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O grupo de "Huis Clos" de Sartre e a psicoterapia analítica de grupo
Authors: Silva Antônio Franco Ribeiro da
Published: April 2015

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"Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs", título e texto
Authors: Muzzi Eliana Scotti
Published: April 2015

Estudo do título Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs na dimensação paradigmática das relações de intertitularidade que estabelece e no desdobramento sintagmático operado pela leitura que faz desse título o texto por ele designado. O objetivo da análise é a observação de um modo específico de articulação entre dois sub-textos equivalentes, relativamente independentes e de natureza semiótica diversa.Étude du titre Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs au niveau de la dimension paradigmatique des relations d'intertitularité qu'il établit et du déploiement syntagmatique opéré par la lecture que fait de ce titre le texte qu'il désigne. Cette analyse a pour but l'observation d'un mode spécifique d'articulation de deux sous-textes équivalents, relativement indépendents et de la nature sémiotique diverse.
Gramaticalização e reanálise na língua portuguesa: um estudo diacrônico
Authors: Cohen Maria Antonieta A. de Mendonça
Published: April 2015

As condições sob as quais a reanálise de ter ocorreu no sintagma verbal português são examinadas. A gramaticalização de ter é, então, vista como o resultado de processos nos quais vários níveis gramaticais se entrelaçam. Valoriza-se mais o caráter processual do fenômeno do que o seu resultado num sistema sincrônico.Dans cette étude sont examinées les conditions sous lesquelles la réanalyse du verbe ter est arrivée au syntagma verbal portugais. La grammaticalisation de ter est vue comme le résultat de processus dans lesqueles les différents niveaux grammaticaux se relient. Le caractère processuel du phénomène est plus valorisé que son résultat dans un système sincronique.
Felicité et le taureau: ironie dans "Un Coeur Simple" de Flaubert
Authors: Beck William J.
Published: April 2015

Estudo do conto Un Coeur Simple de Flaubert, onde se analisa o modo de realização da ironia flaubertiana, a partir do nome da protagonista: Félicité. Considera-se ainda a aproximação entre ela e Santa Felicidade, mártir do séc. III, assim como a variação elaborada por Flaubert quanto ao animal perseguidor das duas santas. Interpreta-se o significado simbólico do touro no interior da narrativa.Travail sur le conte Un Coeur Simple de Flaubert, où on analyse le mode de réalisation de l'ironie flaubertienne à partir du nom du personnage: Félicité. On y considère également la ressemblance entre la Félicité de Flaubert et celle du martyrologe élaborée par Flaubert en ce qui concerne l'animal persécuteur des deux saintes. On interpréte la signification symbolique du taureau à l'interieur du récit.
Etnografias imaginárias: literatura, teoria e cânone por Pozuelo Yvancos
Authors: Sedlmayer Sabrina , Schünemann Gabriel , Rocha Janine , Godinho Josué Borges de Araújo , Silva Luciano Danilo , Pimentel Vinícius Ribeiro , Augusto Yara
Published: April 2015

Palavras-chave: José María Pozuelo Yvancos; Teoría del canon y literatura española; crítica literária.Keywords: José María Pozuelo Yvancos; Teoría del canon y literatura española; literary criticism.
Assimetrias românicas: espanhol nosotros / vosotros e catalão nosaltres / vosaltres x português nós (outros) / vós (outros)
Authors: Cambraia César Nardelli
Published: April 2015

Resumo: O presente trabalho tem como objetivos  (a) apresentar uma resenha crítica dos estudos precedentes sobre a origem das formas compostas do pronome pessoal de 1a e 2a pessoas do plural em línguas românicas e (b) avaliar sua validade para explicar a história dessas formas na língua portuguesa.Palavras-chave: Lingüística românica; pronomes pessoais; língua portuguesa; língua espanhola; língua catalã.Resumé: Le present travail a pour but (a) présenter une synthèse critique des études precedentes sur l’origine des formes composées du pronom personel de 1ère e 2ème persones du pluriel dans les langues romanes et (b) évaluer sa validité pour expliquer l’histoire de ces formes dans la  langue portugaise.Mots-clés: Linguistique romane; pronom personnels; langue portugaise; langue spagnole; langue catalane.Keywords: Romance linguistics; personal pronouns; Portuguese; Spanish; Catalan.