bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ökonomische Konzepte in Robert Nozicks Rechtfertigung eines Minimalstaats
Authors: Knoll Bodo
Published: April 2016

In his „Anarchy, State, and Utopia“, Robert Nozick tried to justify a minimal state. While his theory is based on economic concepts, economists have as yet paid little attention to it. The use of economics is demonstrated by a reconstruction of Nozick’s arguments in the first part of “Anarchy, State, and Utopia”: Ruinous competition leads to a natural monopoly of the “dominant protection agency”. Externalities are used to legitimize the minimal state’s prohibition of other protection agencies. Its duty to protect all citizens can be seen as a redistributive in-kind transfer. Nozick explicitly refers to the neoclassical theory of law in his justification of the minimal state’s right to impose a deterrent criminal law. The economic concepts imply arguments in favour of the minimal state that are partly inconsistent.
Neuere Entwicklungen in der Preisstatistik und Indextheorie
Authors: Lippe Peter Michael von der
Published: April 2016

German economists as for example Laspeyres and Paasche made remarkable contributions to index theory in the 19th and early 20th century. Typical for the German school was the idea of “pure price comparison” and the emphasis on a verbal interpretation of index formulas. However, it lost ground compared to a quite different Anglo- American tradition due to de-emphasizing purely formal reasoning. In particular the move to chain indices, violating the principle of a “pure” comparison and to a utility based index theory was a radical departure from traditional concepts like Laspeyres indices. Nonetheless German official statistics proved to be an active partner in international co-operations as regards harmonized indices in Europe, conceptualizing new price indices, methodological studies, and training of European statisticians.
Steuerliche Spendenanreize: Ein Reformvorschlag
Authors: Auer Ludwig von , Kalusche Andreas
Published: April 2016

In Germany, donations to charitable institutions can be deducted from the taxable income. The government subsidizes each donated Euro by the household′s marginal tax rate. Unfortunately, this system has some serious shortcomings. Therefore, the existing tax deduction of donations should be replaced by a uniform tax abatement rate. Such a reformed system would be more transparent than the existing system and it would lead to a price of donating that is equal for all households. Furthermore, the empirical analysis of this study has shown that for an abatement rate of roughly 50 % a positive (though small) fiscal effect occurs.
The carry-over effect and its value in forecasting annual growth rates
Authors: Tödter Karl-Heinz
Published: April 2016

The statistical overhang (carry-over effect) is the contribution of the previous year to growth in the current year. Practitioners use the statistical overhang routinely to pin down and rationalize short-term forecasts. This article analyses the statistical overhang ‘statistically’ and quantifies its effect on forecast uncertainty. For quarterly data, knowing the statistical overhang at the end of the previous year reduces forecast uncertainty for annual growth in the current year to 68 percent. With monthly data, relative forecast uncertainty reduces to 56 percent. Against the background of the recent financial and economic crisis the analytical results are confronted with empirical forecasts. For ex post mean value forecasts the reduction of forecast uncertainty is broadly in line with the theoretical profile. With regard to the ex ante Bundesbank and Consensus forecasts, the decline of forecast uncertainty is somewhat slower than expected on the basis of information about the carry-over effect.
US Financial Debt Crisis: A Stochastic Optimal Control Approach
Authors: Stein Jerome L.
Published: April 2016

The financial crisis was precipitated by the mortgage crisis. A whole structure of financial derivatives was based upon the ultimate debtors, the mortgagors. Insofar as the mortgagors were unable to service their debts, the values of the derivatives fell. The financial intermediaries whose assets and liabilities were based upon the value of derivatives were very highly leveraged. Changes in the values of their net worth were large multiples of changes in asset values. A cascade was precipitated by the mortgage defaults. In this manner, the mortgage debt crisis turned into a financial crisis. The crucial variable is the optimal debt of the real estate sector, which depends upon the capital gain and the interest rate. I apply the Stochastic Optimal Control (SOC) analysis to derive the optimal debt. Two models of the stochastic process on the capital gain and interest rate are presented. Each implies a different value of the optimal debt/net worth. I derive an upper bound of the optimal debt ratio, based upon the alternative models. An empirical measure of the excess debt: actual less the upper bound of the optimal ratio, is shown to be an early warning signal (EWS) of the debt crisis.
Do men slow down faster than women?
Authors: Maennig Wolfgang , Stobernack Michael
Published: April 2016

This paper tests on differences between age-related reductions in the performance of men and women. The assumption that men age faster is obvious, because men′s life expectancy is generally lower. In addition to other studies on age-related reduction in human performance, this paper examines the data taken from competitions on rowing machines, which have been standardized worldwide. Furthermore, this study looks for any potential ageing processes specific to physique. Finally, fractional polynomials have been added to the testing methodology. Contrary to intuition, we find evidence that women are affected by faster age-related reductions in performance.
Staatsschuldenkrise in Europa
Authors: Smeets Heinz-Dieter
Published: April 2016

The euro countries currently experience a severe government debt crisis. Since Greece asked for financial assistance in May 2010 there has been a lively debate on how to resolve this situation. The solution that has been primarily suggested by politicians so far is to finance governments’ financial needs through emergency credits from EU sources (EFSF / ESM) and the International Monetary Fund. After explaining provisions like the stability pact and risk premiums on interest rates which aimed at guaranteeing fiscal stability in the pre-crisis EMU an overview is given showing financial and other political reactions to the crisis. In a second step, the sustainability of the Greek debt situation is extensively analyzed by employing the government budget constraint. The necessary primary surpluses enabling Greece to finance its government debt without international support as from 2020 onwards are, however, substantial. Therefore, it is very likely that Greece either needs further financial assistance or an additional hair cut in the future. Moreover, the effects of Greece leaving EMU are shown as well as the (financial) problems that would occur if further countries like Spain and Italy were infected. Finally, some suggestions are made how to avoid possible government debt crises in the future.
Armut, Reichtum und Humankapital Zu den Beziehungen zwischen Bildung, Lebenseinkommen, Besteuerung und staatlicher Umverteilung
Authors: Petersen Hans-Georg
Published: April 2016

The paper is based on an individual life-cycle model, which describes the purely economic components of human capital. The present value of human capital is determined by all future income flows, which at the same time constitute the individual as well as the total tax base of a nation. Therefore, the income of the productive population determines the total tax revenue, which is spent for public goods (including education) and transfers (for poverty reduction). The efficient design of the education system (by private and public education investments) determines the quality of the human capital stock as well as the future gross income flows. The costs of public goods and the transfer expenditures have to be financed from the total tax revenue, which also affects the individual tax burden via the specific tax bases and tax rates. Especially the redistribution of income is connected with serious disincentives, influencing the preferences for work and leisure as well as for consumption and saving.

An efficient tax and transfer system being accompanied by an education system financed in public private partnership, which treats equally labor and capital income, sets positive incentives for the formation of human, financial, and real capital. An important prerequisite for a sustainable growth process is the efficient design of the social security system, being based on the family as well as a collective risk equalization scheme. If that system is diminishing absolute poverty in an appropriate time period by transfers and vocational education measures for the grown-up as well as high quality primary, secondary and tertiary education programs for the children, the transfer expenditure would decrease and the tax bases (income and consumption) increase, lowering the burden on the productive population. For the first time, this micro model presented in this paper pools all the relevant variables for development within a simple life-cycle model, which can also be used for a powerful analysis of the current failures in existing tax and transfer schemes and fruitful empirical investigations.
Deal or No Deal? Consensual Arrangements as an Instrument of European Competition Policy
Authors: Budzinski Oliver , Kuchinke Björn A.
Published: April 2016

Roughly during the last decade, European Competition Policy has undergone a series of fundamental changes. All four areas - cartel policy, merger policy, abuse control, and state aid control - have been subject to a modernization process, which led to a focus on analysing the effects of individual cases and established a tendency towards deciding each case on its individual merits. These changes can be understood as a move away from rule-based competition policy towards a case-by-case approach. The case-by-case approach especially includes consensual arrangements, so-called ‘deals’ between the competition authority and business companies. Therefore, this paper will discuss the pros and cons of ‘deals’ as an instrument of (European) competition policy. The paper′s central focus lies on the economic analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using consensual arrangements as a relevant instrument of European competition policy. With respect to European competition policy, we conclude that we need to issue a note of caution. From an economic perspective, an expansion of consensual elements necessarily walks hand in hand with a continual weakening of the protection of competition. Consumer welfare will not benefit from expanding the role and importance of consensual arrangements as a means of European competition policy.
Possible Role of TGF – B Pathways in Schizophrenia / Moguća Uloga TTGF - B Signalnih Puteva U Shizofreniji
Authors: Borovcanin Milica , Jovanovic Ivan , Dejanovic Slavica Djukic , Radosavljevic Gordana , Arsenijevic Nebojsa , Lukic Miodrag L.
Published: April 2016

The phenomenological uniqueness of each patient with schizophrenia is determined by complex symptomatology, particularly the overlapping of symptoms and their prominence in certain phases of this mental disorder. Establishing biological markers is an important step in the further objectivisation and quantification of schizophrenia. Identifying the cytokine profiles that precede a psychotic episode could direct the strategies for relapse prevention and be useful in predicting disease progression and treatment response. In the context of infl ammation, TGF-β exerts potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis, but it can also have pro-inflammatory functions through its stimulatory effects on inflammatory Th17 cells. It has been shown that the T helper cell type-1 and type-17 responses are reduced and type-2 response is increased in patients with schizophrenia. Both data from the literature and our results also indicate the presence of an anti-inflammatory response through production of the TGF-β regulatory cytokine. A meta-analysis of plasma cytokine alterations suggested that TGF-β is the state marker for acute exacerbation of schizophrenia, and we showed that TGF-β can also be a valuable marker for psychosis. Hyperactivity of TGF-β signalling pathways in schizophrenia may be both a neuroprotective mechanism and a possible therapeutic target.
Volar Locking Plating Treatment Results in Fragmented Intraarticular Distal Radius Fractures / Rezultati Tretmana Metodom “Zakljucavanja” Rucja Kod Višestruktih Distalnih Intraartikularnih Preloma Radijusa
Authors: Oc Yunus , Kilinc Bekir Eray , Armagan Raffi , Kara Adnan , Kanar Muharrem , Eren Osman Tugrul
Published: April 2016

Volar locking plating treatment results in fragmented intra-articular distal radius fractures in adults.

Twenty-five patients (14 men, 11 women; mean age, 44.32±12.12 years) who were treated with volar locking plates due to distal radius fractures were prospectively studied. Among the fractures, 44% were C2 and 56% were C3, according to the AO classification system. Clinical analyses were performed using the Gartland and Werley scale, the short version of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH), and the visual analogue scale (VAS); radiological evaluations were performed using the Stewart evaluation criteria.

The mean patient follow-up time was 20.36±7.62 months. According to the Gartland and Werley assessment scale, 68.0% of the patients (n = 17) had excellent results, 28.0% (n =7) had good results, and 4.0% (n =1) had poor results. The mean VAS score was 0.84±1.07, and the quick-average DASH subjective question score was 7.07±12.95. According to the Stewart score, the percentages of patients with perfect and good results were 92% and 8%, respectively. Among the patients, the mean grip strength was 77.3% when it was evaluated on the healthy side. One patient was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, while another patient was diagnosed with flexor tenosynovitis and paraesthesia in the distribution of the median nerve; two patients were diagnosed with flexor tenosynovitis.

Volar locking plating is an effective surgical method for treating distal radius fractures. The plate should be properly placed during surgery, and post-operative movement should begin early.
A Comparative Analysis of Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Relation to the Open Appendectomy in Children / Uporedna Analiza Laparoskopske Apendektomije U Odnosu Na Otvorenu Apendektomiju Kod Dece
Authors: Mickovic Irena Nikolic , Golubovic Zoran , Mickovic Sasa , Vukovic Dejana , Trajkovic Sanja , Antunovic Sanja Sindjic , Mihailovic Natasa
Published: April 2016

Acute inflammation of the appendix in childhood usually requires an appendectomy. Surgical methods are open appendectomy (OA) and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Both have the same goal of removing the appendix.

Data collected from the medical records of children who underwent hospitalization and operation for acute appendicitis have been retrospectively analysed and statistically processed. The patients underwent surgery in 2010 at University Children’s Hospital in Belgrade, and the methods that were used were open appendectomy (OA) and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). The analysed data refer to gender, age, length of hospital stay, surgery duration, use of pain management therapy, and antibiotic therapy, complications during surgery, complications after surgery, re-hospitalizations, and reoperations.

A total of 218 children underwent an appendectomy operation, of which 158 (72.5%) underwent OA and 60 (27.5%) underwent LA. The average age of patients who had OA was 11.44 years, and 10.87 years for those who underwent LA. The surgery duration was significantly longer for LA (45.3 vs. 42.1 minutes, p = 0.003). The total number of postoperative complications was lower in LA (1 vs. 12), but there was no statistically significant difference. The number of hospital stay days was significantly lower in LA (3.48 vs. 5.45 days), with a high statistical difference, p = 0.00.

The advantages of LA compared with OA are shorter hospital stay, lower total number of intraoperative and postoperative complications, and fewer reoperations. The advantage of OA compared with LA is shorter surgery duration.
Evaluation of Quality Public Transport Criteria in Terms of Passenger Satisfaction
Authors: Olivková Ivana
Published: April 2016

This article presents a detailed description and explanation of the methodology for evaluation of quality public transport criteria in terms of passenger satisfaction. In 2011-2014 this method was applied in an assessment of passenger satisfaction with the urban public transport system in Ostrava. In order to assess passengers’ satisfaction, traffic survey has been chosen utilizing questionnaire and student inquirers. The results achieved by application of the method have been processed to evaluate time accessibility criteria of a public transport system. Time accessibility criteria group (accessibility of stops, waiting for a connection and transferability in the public transport network) evaluates physical and psychological aspects of the passenger during his arrival at the station, while leaving the station, in the course of waiting for a connection and during the transfer. The time accessibility criteria are considered the most significant criteria that impact a passenger’s decision to utilise public transport options.
A Comparison of Alternative Ordered Response Models for Analysing User Satisfaction with Transport Services in Turkey
Authors: Çelik Ali Kemal , Senger Ötüken
Published: April 2016

The main objective of this paper is to analyse user satisfaction with road, maritime, air, and rail transport services in Turkey using four distinctive ordered response models. The estimation results reveal that partial constrained generalized ordered logit model has the best model fit for road and maritime transport services. In addition, ordered logit and generalized ordered logit are the convenient models for air and rail transport services, respectively. Results also indicate that current residence (urban), gender (male), occupational sector (private), and education level (low educated) were the statistically significant variables that are more likely to increase user satisfaction. This paper is probably the first attempt to analyse user satisfaction with all transport services using comparative ordered response models. As a social indicator, the results of this study may provide a valuable evidence for future sustainable transport policies in Turkey.
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance in Subelite Gaelic Football Players From Under Thirteen to Senior Age Groups
Authors: Roe Mark , Malone Shane
Published: April 2016

Roe, M and Malone, S. Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test performance in subelite Gaelic football players from under thirteen to senior age groups. J Strength Cond Res 30 (11): 3187–3193, 2016—Gaelic football is indigenous to Ireland and has similar locomotion profiles to soccer and Australian Football. Given the increasing attention on long-term player development, investigations on age-related variation in Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-YoIR1) performance may provide useful information in talent identification, program design, and player monitoring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate Yo-YoIR1 performance across Gaelic football age groups. Male participants (n = 355) were recruited from division one, Gaelic football teams. Participants were allocated to one of the 7 groups according to respective age groups from under 13 (U13), under 14, under 15 (U15), under 16 (U16), minor, under 21 (U21), to senior age groups. Total Yo-YoIR1 distance (m) increased progressively from U13 (885 ± 347 m) to U16 (1,595 ± 380 m) equating to a rate of change of 180.2%. In comparison to U13, total distance at minor (1,206 ± 327 m) increased by 136.4%. Subsequent increases were observed in U21 (1,585 ± 445 m) and senior players (2,365 ± 489). Minimum (800–880 m) and maximum (2,240–2,280 m) total distances were comparable for U15, U16, and U21 players. Differences in total distance (m) for all age groups were statistically significant when compared to U13 players (p < 0.002). In comparison to U13 players, the magnitude of differences between age groups for total distance was deemed to be large (effect size > 0.8). Similar trends were observed for maximum velocity and estimated V̇o
2max. The evolution of Yo-YoIR1 performance in Gaelic football players from adolescents to adulthood highlights how maturation may influence sport-related running ability. Changes in Yo-YoIR1 performance should be closely monitored to optimize interventions for individuals transitioning across age groups.
Sequencing Effects of Balance and Plyometric Training on Physical Performance in Youth Soccer Athletes
Authors: Hammami Raouf , Granacher Urs , Makhlouf Issam , Behm David G. , Chaouachi Anis
Published: April 2016

Hammami, R, Granacher, U, Makhlouf, I, Behm, DG, and Chaouachi, A. Sequencing effects of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer athletes. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3278–3289, 2016—Balance training may have a preconditioning effect on subsequent power training with youth. There are no studies examining whether the sequencing of balance and plyometric training has additional training benefits. The objective was to examine the effect of sequencing balance and plyometric training on the performance of 12- to 13-year-old athletes. Twenty-four young elite soccer players trained twice per week for 8 weeks either with an initial 4 weeks of balance training followed by 4 weeks of plyometric training (BPT) or 4 weeks of plyometric training proceeded by 4 weeks of balance training (PBT). Testing was conducted pre- and posttraining and included medicine ball throw; horizontal and vertical jumps; reactive strength; leg stiffness; agility; 10-, 20-, and 30-m sprints; Standing Stork balance test; and Y-Balance test. Results indicated that BPT provided significantly greater improvements with reactive strength index, absolute and relative leg stiffness, triple hop test, and a trend for the Y-Balance test (p = 0.054) compared with PBT. Although all other measures had similar changes for both groups, the average relative improvement for the BPT was 22.4% (d = 1.5) vs. 15.0% (d = 1.1) for the PBT. BPT effect sizes were greater with 8 of 13 measures. In conclusion, although either sequence of BPT or PBT improved jumping, hopping, sprint acceleration, and Standing Stork and Y-Balance, BPT initiated greater training improvements in reactive strength index, absolute and relative leg stiffness, triple hop test, and the Y-Balance test. BPT may provide either similar or superior performance enhancements compared with PBT.
Performance Analysis of Surfing: A Review
Authors: Farley Oliver R.L. , Abbiss Chris R. , Sheppard Jeremy M.
Published: April 2016

Farley, ORL, Abbiss, CR, and Sheppard, JM. Performance Analysis of Surfing: A Review. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 260–271, 2017—Despite the increased professionalism and substantial growth of surfing worldwide, there is limited information available to practitioners and coaches in terms of key performance analytics that are common in other field-based sports. Indeed, research analyzing surfing performance is limited to a few studies examining male surfers' heart rates, surfing activities through time-motion analysis (TMA) using video recordings and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) data during competition and recreational surfing. These studies have indicated that specific activities undertaken during surfing are unique with a variety of activities (i.e., paddling, resting, wave riding, breath holding, and recovery of surfboard in the surf). Furthermore, environmental and wave conditions also seem to influence the physical demands of competition surfing. It is due to these demands that surfers are required to have a high cardiorespiratory fitness, high muscular endurance, and considerable strength and anaerobic power, particular within the upper torso. By exploring various methods of performance analysis used within other sports, it is possible to improve our understanding of surfing demands. In so doing this will assist in the development of protocols and strategies to assess physiological characteristics of surfers, monitor athlete performance, improve training prescription, and identify talent. Therefore, this review explores the current literature to provide insights into methodological protocols, delimitations of research into athlete analysis and an overview of surfing dynamics. Specifically, this review will describe and review the use of TMA, GPS, and other technologies (i.e., HR) that are used in external and internal load monitoring as they pertain to surfing.
Strength and Conditioning and Concurrent Training Practices in Elite Rugby Union
Authors: Jones Thomas W. , Smith Andrew , Macnaughton Lindsay S. , French Duncan N.
Published: April 2016

Jones, TW, Smith, A, Macnaughton, LS, and French, DN. Strength and Conditioning and Concurrent Training Practices in Elite Rugby Union. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3354–3366, 2016—There is limited published research on strength and conditioning (S&C) practices in elite rugby union (RU). Information regarding testing batteries and programme design would provide valuable information to both applied practitioners and researchers investigating the influence of training interventions or preperformance strategies. The aim of this study was to detail the current practices of S&C coaches and sport scientists working in RU. A questionnaire was developed that comprised 7 sections: personal details, physical testing, strength and power development, concurrent training, flexibility development, unique aspects of the programme, and any further relevant information regarding prescribed training programmes. Forty-three (41 men, 2 women; age: 33.1 ± 5.3 years) of 52 (83%) coaches responded to the questionnaire. The majority of practitioners worked with international level and/or professional RU athletes. All respondents believed strength training benefits RU performance and reported that their athletes regularly performed strength training. The clean and back squat were rated the most important prescribed exercises. Forty-one (95%) respondents reported prescribing plyometric exercises and 38 (88%) indicated that periodization strategies were used. Forty-two (98%) practitioners reported conducting physical testing, with body composition being the most commonly tested phenotype. Thirty-three (77%) practitioners indicated that the potential muted strength development associated with concurrent training was considered when programming and 27 (63%) believed that strength before aerobic training was more favorable for strength development than vice versa. This research represents the only published survey to date of S&C practices in northern and southern hemisphere RU.
Identification of signaling pathways associated with cancer protection in Laron syndrome
Authors: Lapkina-Gendler Lena , Rotem Itai , Pasmanik-Chor Metsada , Gurwitz David , Sarfstein Rive , Laron Zvi , Werner Haim
Published: April 2016

The growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) pathway emerged in recent years as a critical player in cancer biology. Enhanced expression or activation of specific components of the GH–IGF1 axis, including the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), is consistently associated with a transformed phenotype. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that patients with Laron syndrome (LS), the best-characterized entity among the congenital IGF1 deficiencies, seem to be protected from cancer development. To identify IGF1-dependent genes and signaling pathways associated with cancer protection in LS, we conducted a genome-wide analysis using immortalized lymphoblastoid cells derived from LS patients and healthy controls of the same gender, age range, and ethnic origin. Our analyses identified a collection of genes that are either over- or under-represented in LS-derived lymphoblastoids. Gene differential expression occurs in several gene families, including cell cycle, metabolic control, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, Jak-STAT signaling, and PI3K-AKT signaling. Major differences between LS and healthy controls were also noticed in pathways associated with cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and autophagy. Our results highlight the key role of the GH–IGF1 axis in the initiation and progression of cancer. Furthermore, data are consistent with the concept that homozygous congenital IGF1 deficiency may confer protection against future tumor development.
Das Verhältnis von Kartellrecht und Sportschiedsgerichtsbarkeit
Authors: Zimmermann Martin
Published: April 2016

In seiner Entscheidung in der Sache Pechstein, die in ihrer Bedeutung für die Sportschiedsgerichtsbarkeit kaum zu überschätzen ist, befasste sich der Kartellsenat des OLG München mit der Klage der Eisschnellläuferin Claudia Pechstein gegen die Rechtmäßigkeit einer von dem Eisschnelllauf-Weltverband ISU gegen sie verhängten Dopingsperre. Das OLG hat die von ihm angenommene Nichtigkeit der Schiedsvereinbarung im Wesentlichen auf kartellrechtliche Erwägungen gestützt. Der Beitrag behandelt vor diesem Hintergrund das Verhältnis von Kartellrecht und Sportschiedsgerichtsbarkeit.
STATISTICAL APPROACH FOR PECTINASE PRODUCTION BY Bacillus firmus SDB9 AND EVALUATION OF PECTINO-XYLANOLYTIC ENZYMES FOR PRETREATMENT OF KRAFT PULP
Authors: D. Bhagat Divyesh , R. Dudhagara and Piyush V. Desai Pravin
Published: April 2016

The present study originated with the concomitant production of 1.94 IU.mL-1 of pectinase, 0.34 IU.mL-1 xylanase and 0.086 IU.mL-1 cellulase from a newly isolated Bacillus firmus SDB9 in pectin salt media. Plackett-Burman Design (PBD) and Box-Behnken design (BBD) were used for optimization of mass production of pectinase using agro-residues. Statistical optimization of medium enhances the pectinase production to 17.55 IU.mL-1, 17.7% higher activity than that of unoptimized medium. The optimal pectinase activity was found at pH 8.5 and 45°C temperature. The enzyme was alkali-stable over a range of pH 7.0 to 10.0 for 1 h and thermostable at 35 to 70°C for 1h. Out of 12 tested metal cations at 1mM concentration, the enzyme was found to be hindered by the presence of three cations, whereas four cations were reported to augment, and the rest marginally subdued the activity. Pretreatment with 15 IU pectinase and 2.7 IU xylanase per gram of OD pulp reduce kappa number by 7.9%. After bleaching sequence D0-Ep-D1, the increment in pulp brightness was 2.7% with acceptable whiteness level. Pretreatment also led to a reduction in ClO2 consumption by 15% with superior brightness level. The 0.83% increase in pulp viscosity along with 3.2% gain in double fold number indicated the maintenance of relative cellulose content and strength of paper. Minor variations in burst index, tensile index and tear index reflected the conserved properties of the treated pulp. Synergistic application of mixed enzymes preparation produced from raw agro-residue headed by pectinase in preference to xylanase is first time set forth in the present study to help in cost economization and propel the pulp and paper industries towards environmental friendly future.
MODIFICATION OF PLA FOIL SURFACE BY ETHYLCELLULOSE AND ESSENTIAL OILS
Authors: Kwiatkowski PaweÅ , Giedrys-Kalemba Stefania , Mizielińska MaÅgorzata , Bartkowiak Artur
Published: April 2016

The increasing consumer demand for safety and long-term products motivates the packaging industry to produce antimicrobial packaging. The task of the antimicrobial packaging is not only the inhibition of growth of the pathogenic microflora, but also the maintenance of sensory characteristics of the product for a long time. The aim of the study was to evaluate antimicrobial properties of modified PLA foils against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Biodegradable PLA foils were covered 10% ethylcellulose (EC) as carrier and commercial essential oils from fennel, rosemary and caraway as active substances. Antimicrobial properties were tested against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). The study was conducted using the American method ASTM E 2180-01. The results of experiments showed that modified essential oils PLA foils reduced the amount of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The best antibacterial properties would have PLA foil coating 10% EC with 50 mg/dm2 of fennel essential oil.
INVOLVEMENT OF EXTRACELLULAR FUNGAL ENZYMES IN BIOREMEDIATION OF TEXTILE EFFLUENT
Authors: D. Koyani Rina , S. Rajput Kishore
Published: April 2016

The plentiful use and reckless discharge of textile effluent to the nature witnessed the rising of water and soil pollution. Biological remediation of these compounds is the most desirable technique to overcome the elevated environmental pollution. Present study evaluates the efficiency of a wild strain of Irpex lacteus in decolourisation and degradation of Reactive yellow FG and Reactive orange 2R. Media supplemented with different carbon/nitrogen sources and inoculum size play important role in enhancing the ability in which dextrose and aspargine boosted the process while inoculum size one-three (10 mm diameter) were more significant with solid and liquid decolourisation respectively. The ligninolytic enzyme production under Solid State Fermentation (SSF) was carried out using different lignocellulosic substrates. Among different substrates wheat straw produced highest amount (560.6 IU/ml) of manganese peroxidase. Optimization of particle size and time of incubation were also assorted to define the efficient enzyme activity; where one mm particle size and 6th day of incubation period were the most felicitous. The influence of physico-chemical factors like pH, temperature, reaction time and metal ions were assessed with respect to enzyme activity. The partial purification of crude enzymes was achieved at different percent saturations, where 40% saturated fraction yielded maximum (560.6 IU/ml) MnP activity. Molecular weight of the partially purified enzyme was 58.3 kDa. The degradation of dyes was confirmed with shift of the dominant peaks found on the FTIR graphs.
CHARACTERIZATION OF TYROSINASE ENZYME FROM NATIVE BACILLUS MEGATERIUM SP. STRAIN M36
Authors: Valipour Ebrahim , Arikan Burhan
Published: April 2016

Tyrosinase is a type 3 copper-containing enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of l-tyrosine to L-DOPA and finally to melanin. In this study tyrosinase enzyme from native Bacillus megaterium sp. strain M36, was produces, characterized and used to produce L-DOPA. The M36 tyrosinase enzyme showed optimum monophenolase and diphenolase activity at pH 7.5 and conserved its maximum activity over than 95 % at pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.0. The M36 tyrosinase enzyme showed optimum monophenolase and diphenolase activity at 40 °C also, the enzyme conserved 100% of its original activity at 4-45 °C. The M36 tyrosinase enzyme was inhibited strongly by β-mercaptoethanol and about 90% by 5mmol of EDTA (a chelating agent). Although the enzyme was activated at the presence of 1mM SDS, it was strongly inhibited at high concentration of SDS (above 15mM). In TLC analysis, the transformation of L-tyrosine to L-DOPA was conspicuously detected.
EFFECT OF ULTRASOUND AND THERMAL TREATMENT ON PECTIN METHYLESTERASE ACTIVITY IN PAPAYA (Carica papaya) JUICE
Authors: J.E Villanueva-Tiburcio , J.W Vargas-Solórzano , O. González-Reynoso , C. Leandro-Laguna , S.C. Alfaro-Cruz
Published: April 2016

Among the pectic enzymes present in fruits and vegetables, pectin methylesterase (PME) is usually related to the loss of quality and it causes adverse effects on finished products. In this research, the kinetic of ultrasound and thermal treatments are evaluated in the PME activity in papaya juice. The results showed that the ultrasound treatment caused an increase in the catalytic activity up to 52%. After a while, the catalytic activity decreased in 27% indicating that the ultrasound was not effective in the enzymatic inactivation, whereas the thermal treatment inactivated 71% of the PME. However, these results open perspectives to evaluate the effect of ultrasound and enhance the catalytic activity of enzymes of industrial interest.
Effect of the climatic period on the nutritional quality of cow's milk in Antioquia
Authors: Bustamante Córdoba Laura Marcela , Sepúlveda Valencia José Uriel , Restrepo Molina Diego
Published: April 2016

This research was carried out in the milk production plants for 10 weeks (5 during the dry season and 5 during the rainy season in Medellín, Colombia). Samples of raw (fresh) milk were taken from Holstein cattle and fresh farmer cheese was produced through enzymatic coagulation. For the milk and the cheese, the physicochemical characteristics and nutritional quality, were evaluated for both seasons. For parameters such as the casein and the ash content, the non-fat milk solids showed a confidence interval that fluctuated between 8.3% and 8.7% (with an a=0.05), which is comparable to that reported by the Colombian legislation; however, unusual results were identified within the registered periods, especially at the transition period between rainy and dry period (7.89% non-fat solids). The obtained yield averages were significantly higher in regards to those reported by various authors, while those found for the other studied parameters had results similar to those proposed in the literature. The evaluation and determination of high nutritional value factors in food, such as the protein percentage and the essential amino acids profile, allow for the improvement of quality based milk payment systems that can be applied nationwide and that are based on the initial proposal of Fedegan and the Republic of Colombia.
La educación y atención integral para el desarrollo de la niñez menor de 3 años en Costa Rica: una deuda del estado costarricense
Authors: Cárdenas Leitón Helvetia
Published: April 2016

Este es un artículo derivado de un proceso de investigación en el marco del Doctorado en Educación de la Universidad Estatal a Distancia, cuyo tema versó sobre La educación y atención integral para el desarrollo de la niñez menor de 3 años en Costa Rica. Cabe resaltar que el acercamiento al tema se realizó desde el paradigma cualitativo y el método de análisis elegido fue el hermenéutico-dialéctico, el cual permitió profundizar en algunos documentos, así como interpretar el discurso de las personas actuantes. Para la recopilación de la información se utilizó el análisis documental de diferentes fuentes bibliográficas, las propuestas programáticas existentes en el país para la atención de este grupo poblacional, la Política Nacional para la Niñez y Adolescencia y el Código de Niñez y Adolescencia, la entrevista en profundidad y grupos focales con especialistas en diversas áreas que tienen filiaciones con esta población, las personas que atienden a las niñas y los niños menores de 3 años. Entre las principales conclusiones que se obtuvieron se evidencia que la intervención con la niñez menor de 3 años, requiere la participación de toda la sociedad, de un sistema que integre lo privado y diferentes sectores (salud, educación, servicios sociales) y la coordinación de diferentes instituciones que generen servicios de calidad a la niñez.
Un algoritmo de Búsqueda Tabú con criterio de aspiración probabilístico aplicado al problema de timetabling
Authors: Chávez-Bosquez Oscar , Pozos-Parra Pilar , Gómez-Ramos José-Luis
Published: April 2016

El criterio de aspiración es un elemento determinante en el funcionamiento del algoritmo de Búsqueda Tabú, siendo el criterio de aspiración por defecto y el criterio de aspiración por objetivo los dos utilizados mayormente en la literatura. En este artículo se propone una variante a estos criterios de aspiración, la cual implementa una función de probabilidad al momento de evaluar un elemento clasificado como tabú que mejore la solución actual: criterio de aspiración probabilístico. El caso de prueba utilizado para evaluar el desempeño del algoritmo de Búsqueda Tabú con Criterio de Aspiración Probabilístico (BT-CAP) propuesto lo constituyen las 20 instancias del problema descrito en the First International
Timetabling Competition. Se compararon los resultados del BT-CAP contra 2 variantes adicionales del algoritmo de Búsqueda Tabú: Búsqueda Tabú con Criterio de Aspiración por Defecto (BT-CAD) y Búsqueda Tabú con Criterio de Aspiración por Objetivo (BT-CAO). Se aplicó una prueba de Wilcoxon con los resultados
obtenidos, y se obtuvo con 99 \% de confiabilidad que el algoritmo BT-CAP
obtiene mejores soluciones que las otras dos variantes del algoritmo de Búsqueda
Tabú.
Cisplatin/Tegafur/Uracil/Irinotecan Triple Combination Therapy for Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Phase I/II Clinical Study
Authors: Chen San-Chi , Chang Peter Mu-Hsin , Yang Muh-Hwa
Published: April 2016

Lessons Learned

Cisplatin/tegafur/uracil/irinotecan triple combination therapy shows moderate response, especially in patients without previous chemoradiotherapy within the 6 months before this combination therapy. Toxicity is tolerable, and quality of life is improved in responders.

Background.

The prognosis is poor in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). Triple combination therapy may increase tumor response.

Methods.

This phase I/II prospective trial first determined the dose-limiting toxicity and recommended dose of irinotecan with cisplatin and tegafur/uracil (UFUR) in phase I. Irinotecan was supplied at doses of 40, 50, 60, and 70 mg/m2 by using a standard 3+3 design. Doses of cisplatin and UFUR were held stable. In phase II, the recommended dose of irinotecan was administered intravenously (i.v.) over 90 min on day 1, with cisplatin 50 mg/m2 i.v. over 60 min also on day 1, and oral UFUR 200 mg twice a day for 5 days every 2 weeks a cycle.

Results.

In the phase I portion, 14 patients were enrolled, and the dose level of irinotecan at 60 mg/m2 was defined as the recommended dose for the phase II portion of the study. Among 43 patients enrolled in the phase II portion, complete response was seen in 2 patients (4.7%) and partial response in 10 patients (23.3%), and the disease control rate was 39.5%. In a subgroup analysis of patients whose prior chemoradiotherapy was more than 6 months earlier, a response rate of 40.7% and disease control rate of 59.3% were observed.

Conclusion.

Cisplatin/UFUR/irinotecan triple combination therapy is tolerated and effective for selected patients. Individualized choice of treatment will influence prognosis and quality of life in R/M HNSCC patients.
Influence of iron mill scale additive on the physico-mechanical properties and chloride penetration resistance of concrete
Authors: Chousidis Nikolaos , Rakanta Eleni , Ioannou Ioannis , Batis George
Published: April 2016

Reinforced concrete structures are normally exposed to various aggressive environmental conditions; thus it is essential to protect the steel reinforcement from corrosion and the concrete from degradation. This experimental study is aimed at optimising the physico-mechanical properties of reinforced concrete by using iron mill scale as a replacement for cement. Reinforced cement mortars and concrete specimens with and without the addition of iron mill scale were partially immersed in 3·5% w/w sodium chloride solution for 17 months and 130 d, respectively. The mill scale was added to the aforementioned cementitious composites in proportions of 5% and 10% by weight of cement. Its effect on chloride penetration resistance was evaluated using various standardised and non-standardised experimental techniques. The results showed that the additive increased the resistance of reinforced cementitious composites to chloride penetration, reduced the corrosion of steel reinforcement and improved the compressive strength of concrete. Furthermore, iron mill scale decreased the concentration of chloride ions in cement mortars which were partially immersed in sodium chloride solution.
A constitutive modelling framework predicting critical state in sand undergoing crushing and dilation
Authors: Tengattini A. , Das A. , Einav I.
Published: April 2016

This paper explains why the critical state of sand is non-unique when expressed in terms of stress and void ratio only. For this purpose, a thermodynamically consistent, micromechanically inspired constitutive modelling framework with competing grain crushing and dilation is developed. While grain crushing is described through the theory of breakage mechanics, dilation is modelled in a novel way by acknowledging its negative contribution to the overall positive rate of dissipation. The competition between dilation and grain crushing underpinned by this framework yields a unique critical state in a space of stress, void ratio and breakage, in agreement with recent experiments. As an example, a simple constitutive model with only five mechanical parameters is proposed, which not only predicts the critical state but also quantitatively connects the full constitutive behaviour to key index properties related to grading- and breakage-dependent minimum and maximum densities.
A comparison of technical and practical aspects of Eurocode 3-1-1 and SANS 10162-1 hot-rolled steelwork design codes
Authors: Walls R , Viljoen C
Published: April 2016

In South Africa engineers are starting to use the Eurocode guidelines for steelwork design, and it is important to understand the implications and differences in results that are obtained when applying the different codes. This paper presents a comparison between the Eurocode 1993-1-1:2005 and SANS 10162-1:2005 hot-rolled steelwork design codes. Numerical comparisons of predicted member design strengths for the important modes of failure and the complexity of calculations are presented, along with considerations regarding the parameters used in design. The following are explicitly shown for both codes: (a) differences in the classification of commonly used H, I, PFC and equal L sections, (b) differences in tension resistance calculations, (c) comparisons of all axial buckling curves, (d) calculations for a selection of members in flexural buckling which have different classifications, and (e) a summary of the shear resistances of commonly used H and I sections. It is shown that, on average, Eurocode 3 predicts higher member design strengths than the SANS 10162 code for most failure modes, primarily because of material partial safety factors closer to unity, less conservative buckling curves and the consideration of plastic resistance of sections. These EC3 design capacities can be higher by up to 11% for tension, 35% in compression, 31% in bending and 51% in shear, although there are cases where strengths of up to 33% lower were calculated, such as for an IPEAA-200 in shear. Results are influenced by design geometric tolerances, which are based on section classifications. The Eurocode's equations and design methodologies are more complex and computationally demanding. Since South Africa has started moving in the direction of adapting or adopting Eurocodes with the SANS 10160 Loading Code (from EN 1) and SANS 10100 Structural Concrete Code (from EN 2), it should be considered whether or not the steelwork code should be adopted or adapted in a similar fashion in the future.