bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationships between gross motor coordination and sport-specific skills in adolescent non-athletes
Authors: Chagas Daniel V. , Ozmun John , Batista Luiz Alberto
Published: February 2018

Purpose

While the usefulness of gross motor coordination score as predictor of sports performance in young athletes has been demonstrated, practical applications in the settings where the focus is not on elite performance is limited. Further, little is known about the extent to which gross motor coordination score is associated with sport-specific skills among adolescent non-athletes. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the degree of gross motor coordination and execution in specific volleyball tests among adolescent non-athletes.

Methods

The total of 34 students (27 females and 7 males) aged 13–14 years who regularly participated in volleyball during physical education classes were randomly recruited. Gross motor coordination was assessed with the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder. Motor performance on volley-specific skills was indicated by two product-oriented tasks: volleyball under service and service reception. Correlation and linear regression analyses were applied to examine the associations between motor coordination scores and motor performance in volley-specific skills.

Results

Motor coordination score was positively correlated with motor performance on specific skills (r = 0.503, p = 0.02). Linear regression analysis revealed that motor coordination score accounted for 23% of the variance in the motor performance on volleyball skills (R2 = 0.253, R2 adjusted = 0.230, F = 10.836, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The degree of gross motor coordination seems to play a significant role in the execution of specific volleyball tasks.
Social Networks as a Constituent of Elearning Environment
Authors: Shelomovska Oksana , Romaniukha Maryna , Sorokina Natalia
Published: February 2018

The paper presents some results of the analysis of social networks as a constituent of e-learning environment. The paper defines the concept “social network”, the basic principles and characteristics of social networks are singled out. Based on the analysis of the results of sociological research, it was discovered that social networks are a common type of network communication that is used by both teachers and students. The advantages and peculiarities of using social networks for educational purposes are established. The authors analyze prospects of using such social networking options and services as exchange of messages, documents and news; ways of boosting teamwork by creating interest groups in social networks; improving teacher-student interaction via personal pages for public and mass communication. The most problematic questions about the use of social networks in the educational process are singled out.
Teacher Attitudes Toward Game-based Learning in History Education
Authors: Mozelius Peter , Hernandez Wilfredo , Sällström Johan , Hellerstedt Andreas
Published: February 2018

Game-based learning (GBL) is an emerging field reaching new contexts. Research has reported about students’ rich use of digital games and the learning potential of GBL in traditional school subjects. Digital games have been tested as educational tools in various subjects in Swedish schools during the last decade, in areas such as teaching and learning of history and foreign languages. However, there is a lack of detailed research on attitudes toward the use of GBL in history education.

Main aim of the study was to examine and discuss attitudes toward an increased use of digital games in formal history education. Earlier studies have analysed students’ opinions and preferences, but this study has a focus on the teacher perspective and on which design factors are important if digital games should be an alternative for self-learning in history education. The research approach has been qualitative cross-sectional study where secondary school teachers have answered questionnaires with open-ended questions on their view of didactics and the use of GBL in formal education. All selected respondents are registered as professional secondary school history teachers. Furthermore, teachers have described their own gaming habits and their game design preferences.

Findings show that a majority of the informants have good knowledge about digital games with historical setting and also a positive attitude toward an increased use of GBL. Secondary school teachers also have a tradition of using various media in their teaching and learning activities and there are neither any regulations against an increased use of digital games. An important aspect of history education, where digital games might not the first choice, is in the description of the main changes and influence of a historical époque. Authors’ recommendation is to use games that can enable tangential learning where the gaming sessions could be seen as appetisers for further and deeper learning.
YouTube-based accent challenge narratives: Web 2.0 as a context for studying the social value of accent
Authors: Rymes Betsy , Leone-Pizzighella Andrea
Published: February 2018

This article illustrates how, in a Web 2.0 environment, narrative ways of knowing circulate and disseminate indexical value associated with performances of accent. We compare the information-storing and -sharing functions of Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, making an analogy between these two conceptualizations of the Internet and Jerome Bruner’s two different modes of knowing in his (1986) bookActual minds, possible worlds: logico-scientific and narrative. Just as analyses of Web 2.0 discourse highlight collaborative construction, dissemination, and uptake of information, analysis of narrative illuminates the accrual of sociocultural meaning in collaboratively constructed stories. We use discourse and narrative analytic methods to investigate the social indexicality of “accent” in a corpus of Philadelphia Accent Challenge YouTube videos (and the associated comment sections), and we illustrate how indexical value accrues via the snowballing of reflexive metacommentary in the form of narratives about these accent performances. We argue that discourse in Web 2.0 affords narrative ways of recirculating certain emblematic features of accent. This perspective on analyzing YouTube video-based accent data illuminates the value of YouTube accent performances as a source of linguistic anthropological and narrative insight, and narrative modes of knowing as a means of circulating language ideological discourse via Internet-based participatory culture.
Impact of monovalent cations on soil structure. Part I. Results of an Iranian soil
Authors: Farahani Elham , Emami Hojat , Keller Thomas , Fotovat Amir , Khorassani Reza
Published: February 2018

This study investigated the impact of monovalent cations on clay dispersion, aggregate stability, soil pore size distribution, and saturated hydraulic conductivity on agricultural soil in Iran. The soil was incubated with treatment solutions containing different concentrations (0-54.4 mmol l−1) of potassium and sodium cations. The treatment solutions included two levels of electrical conductivity (EC=3 or 6 dS m−1) and six K:Na ratios per electrical conductivity level. At both electrical conductivity levels, spontaneously dispersible clay increased with increasing K concentration, and with increasing K:Na ratio. A negative linear relationship between percentage of water-stable aggregates and spontaneously dispersible clay was observed. Clay dispersion generally reduced the mean pore size, presumably due to clogging of pores, resulting in increased water retention. At both electrical conductivity levels, hydraulic conductivity increased with increasing exchangeable potassium percentage at low exchangeable potassium percentage values, but decreased with further increases in exchangeable potassium percentage at higher exchangeable potassium percentage. This is in agreement with earlier studies, but seems in conflict with our data showing increasing spontaneously dispersible clay with increasing exchangeable potassium percentage. Our findings show that clay dispersion increased with increasing K concentration and increasing K:Na ratio, demonstrating that K can have negative impacts on soil structure.
Impact of monovalent cations on soil structure. Part II. Results of two Swiss soils
Authors: Farahani Elham , Emami Hojat , Keller Thomas
Published: February 2018

In this study, we investigated the impact of adding solutions with different potassium and sodium concentrations on dispersible clay, water retention characteristics, air permeability, and soil shrinkage behaviour using two agricultural soils from Switzerland with different clay content but similar organic carbon to clay ratio. Three different solutions (including only Na, only K, and the combination of both) were added to soil samples at three different cation ratio of soil structural stability levels, and the soil samples were incubated for one month. Our findings showed that the amount of readily dispersible clay increased with increasing Na concentrations and with increasing cation ratio of soil structural stability. The treatment with the maximum Na concentration resulted in the highest water retention and in the lowest shrinkage capacity. This was was associated with high amounts of readily dispersible clay. Air permeability generally increased during incubation due to moderate wetting and drying cycles, but the increase was negatively correlated with readily dispersible clay. Readily dispersible clay decreased with increasing K, while readily dispersible clay increased with increasing K in Iranian soil (Part I of our study). This can be attributed to the different clay mineralogy of the studied soils (muscovite in Part I and illite in Part II).
ChR: Dynamic Functional Constraints Checking in R
Authors: Grzanek Konrad
Published: February 2018

Dynamic typing of R programming language may issue some quality problems in large scale data-science and machine-learning projects for which the language is used. Following our efforts on providing gradual typing library for Clojure we come with a package chR - a library that offers functionality of run-time type-related checks in R. The solution is not only a dynamic type checker, it also helps to systematize thinking about types in the language, at the same time offering high expressivenes and full adherence to functional programming style.
Application of Moldflow Simulation in Injection Molding of Plastic Tank
Authors: Tutak Piotr
Published: February 2018

This article presents an application of moldflow simulation to optimize the injection molding process of charge air cooler plastic tank. The work shows the advantages of this kind of simulation software and information that it can provide. It also explains how big role today play simulation softwares and how they can improve product and reduce development cost.
Design and Numerical Analysis of an All-optical 4-channel Power Splitter in E, S, C, L, and U Bands via Nano-line Defects in Photonic Crystal
Authors: Olyaee Saeed , Seifouri Mahmood , Azimi Sourani Ebrahim , Dhasarathan Vigneswaran
Published: February 2018

In the present study, the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a square-lattice photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) is investigated using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Then, the plane wave expansion (PWE) method is utilized to calculate the 2D photonic crystal band structure. To realize the desired waveguide, nano-line defects are introduced. The results of the numerical simulations and optimization scanning indicate that for the proposed photonic crystal structure consisting of silicon circular dielectric rods with a radius of 84 nm, a band gap can be achieved in the wavelength range of 1.34 μm<λ<1.93 μm. This wavelength range covers E, S, C, L, and U communication bands. Subsequently, by eliminating the rods in four parts of the structure, an all-optical 4-channel splitter can be designed. The numerical simulation results indicate that by coupling a light source to the main path of the structure and propagating it through each channel, the powers of the 4 output facets become approximately the same. The output power of channels 1 and 2 equals to 24.5 % of the input power, and the output power of channels 3 and 4 is 21 % of the input power and the remaining 9 % is lost in the structure as the leakage power. Since the 1.55 μm wavelength is within the band gap, that is the telecommunication band C, this device can be used as a power splitter.
Preliminary observations on home ranges and natural history of Scotinomys teguina in Costa Rica
Authors: Ribble David O. , Rathbun Galen B.
Published: February 2018

We conducted a brief radiotelemetry study of Scotinomys teguina (Alston’s singing mice) in Costa Rica to better understand their natural history and spatial ecology. We radio-collared five mice, one of which was quickly eaten by a pitviper. The home ranges of the remaining mice were in moist habitats and ranged from 255 to 1620 m2, with extensive overlap between adjacent individuals. Singing mice, being small, diurnal, uniformly dark-colored insectivores foraging in dense forest floor habitats, have an adaptive syndrome similar to soricids, which may be due to the low diversity of shrews through Central America.
Crystal Structure of 3-((3-hydroxybenzyl)ammonio)-3-phenylpropanoate, C16H17NO3
Authors: Wang Wan-Wan , Chen Xing-Ying , Wu Wei-Na
Published: February 2018

C16H17NO3, orthorhombic, Pna21 (no. 33), a = 10.3470(3) Å, b = 7.9347(2) Å, c = 17.0947(4) Å, V = 403.48(6) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0427, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1044, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of bis(acetato-κO)-bis(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethan-1-one oxime-κ2
N,N′)nickel(II), C18H22N4NiO6
Authors: Zuo Jian
Published: February 2018

C18H22N4NiO6, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.3398(13) Å, b = 9.9707(11) Å, c = 12.0063(18) Å, α = 89.829(3)°, β = 71.931(2)°, γ = 74.243(2)°, V = 1019.0(2) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0472, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1305, T = 298(2) K.
The electrophilic aromatic substitution approach to C–H silylation and C–H borylation
Authors: Bähr Susanne , Oestreich Martin
Published: February 2018

Several approaches toward electrophilic C–H silylation of electron-rich arenes are discussed, comprising transition-metal-catalyzed processes as well as Lewis-acid- and Brønsted-acid-induced protocols. These methods differ in the catalytic generation of the silicon electrophile but share proton removal in form of dihydrogen. With slight modifications, these methods are often also applicable to the related electrophilic C–H borylation.
Efficient decontamination of naturally occurring radionuclide from aqueous carbonate solutions by ion flotation process
Authors: Mahmoud Mamdoh R. , Othman Sameh H.
Published: February 2018

The present study evaluates the performance of ion flotation process for removal of uranyl tricarbonate complex, UO2(CO3)3
4−, which is the dominant species in many aqueous media particularly seawater, from aqueous solutions using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB, as a cationic surfactant. Flotation of UO2(CO3)3
4− as a function in the solution pH is investigated in absence and in presence of carbonate. Removal percentage >99% is achieved in the pH range 8.5–11.5 in presence of 5×10−3 M carbonate. The influence of concentrations of ethanol (0.1–2% v/v) and CTAB (5×10−5–1.4×10−3 M) show that UO2(CO3)3
4− is efficiently removed at concentrations of 0.5–1.5% v/v and 4×10−4–1×10−3 M, respectively. Based on the obtained kinetic data, the flotation mechanism and the flotation rate are investigated using two different flotation models. Floatability of UO2(CO3)3
4− in presence of different cations (Ba2+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Sr2+) and anions (NO3
−, Br−, Cl−, SO4
2− and HPO4
2−) is studied. Except for Mg2+ and NO3
−, the flotation efficiency of UO2(CO3)3
4− is significantly decreased at concentrations higher than 1×10−3 and 5×10−3 M of the studied cations and anions, respectively. Ion flotation process is efficiently applied for removal of uranium(VI), R%>98.5%, from seawater. Accordingly, ion flotation can be considered as a promising technique and thus its feasibility for removal and/or recovery of uranium(VI) from many aqueous environment.
Design of Concept of Sustainable Marketing Communication Strategy for a Ideal Industrial Enterprise and Practical Applications of this Concept
Authors: Šujaková Monika , Golejová Simona , Sakál Peter
Published: February 2018

In the contribution the authors deal with the design and use of a sustainable marketing communication strategy of an ideal industrial enterprise in the Slovak Republic. The concept of an ideal enterprise is designed to increase the enterprise's sustainable competitiveness through the formation of a corporate image. In the framework of the research, the practical application of the draft concept was realized through a semi-structured interview in the form of propositional logic.
The Application of Multinomial Logistic Regression Models for the Assessment of Parameters of Oocytes and Embryos Quality in Predicting Pregnancy and Miscarriage
Authors: Milewska Anna Justyna , Jankowska Dorota , Więsak Teresa , Acacio Brian , Milewski Robert
Published: February 2018

Infertility is a huge problem nowadays, not only from the medical but also from the social point of view. A key step to improve treatment outcomes is the possibility of effective prediction of treatment result. In a situation when a phenomenon with more than 2 states needs to be explained, e.g. pregnancy, miscarriage, non-pregnancy, the use of multinomial logistic regression is a good solution. The aim of this paper is to select those features that have a significant impact on achieving clinical pregnancy as well as those that determine the occurrence of spontaneous miscarriage (non-pregnancy was set as the reference category). Two multi-factor models were obtained, used in predicting infertility treatment outcomes. One of the models enabled to conclude that the number of follicles and the percentage of retrieved mature oocytes have a significant impact when prediction of treatment outcome is made on the basis of information about oocytes. The other model, built on the basis of information about embryos, showed the significance of the number of fertilized oocytes, the percentage of at least 7-cell embryos on day 3, the percentage of blasts on day 5, and the day of transfer.
Imaging of the Relationship Between Eating Habits of Parents of Preschool Children and Patterns of Children’s Consumption of Fast-food Type Products With the Use of Correspondence Analysis Methods
Authors: Stachurska Marta , Milewski Rafał , Dzięgielewska Sylwia , Milewska Anna Justyna
Published: February 2018

Health behaviours of preschool children have a considerable impact on the shaping of habits later on in their lives. Parents’ and guardians’ role is to develop positive health patterns and represent exemplary models to be followed by children. The aim of the paper is to present the use of correspondence analysis for the assessment of the relationship between eating habits of parents and children, as well as for the determination of the most common situations in which preschool children consume fast-food products and to find the relationship between the frequency of fast-food consumption and BMI values in preschool children. The tests were carried out with the use of an own survey carried out in kindergartens in Białystok among parents dropping off and picking up children. 149 correctly filled questionnaires were obtained. The statistical analysis employs the chi-squared test and correspondence analysis. Among the tested children, a statistically significant relationship between body weight and sex was obtained. In the group of children and parents consuming fast-foods, a statistically significant relationship between the frequency of children’s and parents’ consumption of the products in question was noticed. A statistically significant relationship between the age of introduction of fast-food products into the child’s diet and their BMI was found. A situation that was statistically significant as far as contribution to frequent consumption of fast-food products by children, i.e. at least once a week (as compared to sporadic), were children and parents shopping together. The relationship between the frequency of fast-food consumption by parents and children was presented in the form of correspondence maps, as well as the relationship between the child’s BMI and the age when the first fast-food product is served, and the relationship between the child’s BMI and the frequency of their consumption of fast-foods. Unfortunately, despite the high awareness among parents of the harmful effects of fast-food products and the widespread health education programmes, a number of the children in kindergartens were overweight or even obese. For this reason, the quality of the educational programmes in kindergartens, as well as in various media outlets, needs to be improved, with emphasis put on their effectiveness, in order to minimise the problem of the occurrence of overweight and obesity in children. It is also important for parents rearing children to pay special attention not only to their children’s menus, but also to foods consumed in the presence of children.
Application of Thermal Imaging and PWC170 Test for the Evaluation of the Effects of a 30-Week Step Aerobics Training
Authors: Zuzda Jolanta G. , Latosiewicz Robert , Bras Rui
Published: February 2018

The aim of this paper is to verify whether step aerobics training (SAT) has an impact on the temperature of deep muscles of the spine of young, healthy subjects and if there exists a relationship between the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and thermal results. The study was conducted in a group of 21 subjects of both sexes, aged 20.2 ± 0.38. The step aerobics training sessions lasted 30 weeks, one training session per week, 60 minutes per session. Thermograms of the spine were taken with the use of an infrared thermographic camera. Instrumental measurements included BMI, vital capacity of the lungs, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). After a 30-weeklong SAT, a statistically significant increase in the average temperature of the muscles of the thoracic and lumbar spine was observed in subjects of both sexes (1.2◦C and 1.28◦C, respectively, p < 0.05). At the same time, VO2max increased from 42.98 ml/kg/min to 43.6 ml/kg/min in male subjects and from 40.4 ml/kg/min to 41.1 ml/kg/min in female subjects (p > 0.05). The relationship between VO2max and temperature of the muscles of the thoracic and lumbar spine after the 30th SAT was not statistically significant (r = - 0.28; p = 0.226; r = - 0.11; p = 0.634, respectively). The study showed that a 30-weeklong step aerobics training (SAT) had a positive impact on thermoregulation of apparently healthy male and female subjects aged 20. Furthermore, it can be safely assumed that thermography may be used as a non-invasive method of examination of the thermoregulation mechanism of SAT participants.
Bayesian estimation of Gegenbauer long memory processes with stochastic volatility: methods and applications
Authors: Phillip Andrew , Chan Jennifer S.K. , Peiris Shelton
Published: February 2018

This paper discusses a time series model which has generalized long memory in the mean process with stochastic volatility errors and develops a new Bayesian posterior simulator that couples advanced posterior maximisation techniques, as well as traditional latent stochastic volatility estimation procedures. Details are provided on the estimation process, data simulation, and out of sample performance measures. We conduct several rigorous simulation studies and verify our results for in and out of sample behaviour. We further compare the goodness of fit of the generalized process to the standard long memory model by considering two empirical studies on the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the US equity risk premium (ERP).
Endermologie New Aproach in the Medicine Treatment
Authors: Kubala Ondrej , Mezencevová Viktória , Šajgalík Michal , Drbúl Mário , Daniš Igor , Martinček Juraj , Pustay Jozef
Published: February 2018

Experiment includes the study and identification of monolithic ceramic mining tools by machining the Domex 700 steel that belongs to the group of tough metals with high tensile strength. During the process of machining, the substandard high cutting speeds were used. Identification of ceramic mining tools included the analysis of cutting edge wear and the construction of map of surface roughness parameter Rz dependence on the change of cutting conditions for a given range (machine and material).
SOA – The Link Between Modern Educational Technologies and Mobile Learning in the Higher Education Landscape
Authors: Popa Strainu Roxana Marina , Georgescu Mircea
Published: February 2018

Modern educational technologies encompass a variety of variables such as people, processes, assets, environments, technology. These variables are part of a complex system which has some important properties and a final purpose: delivering learning material and keeping track of the recipient’s evolution and development. The purpose of this paper is to define the system of modern educational technologies with the help of its variables and internal or external processes as well as to find where mobile learning fits in this large system. From a technical point of view we want to analyze whether Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is enough or proper to integrate mobile learning in this system. At the end we should be able to decide if dedicated mobile apps, or mobile friendly sites or a combination of those two are suited to deliver the results we are looking for with the support of SOA, if we consider the variety of devices and operating systems we are trying to integrate.
On the Diet and Foraging Strategy of Tundra Waders at Sivash
Authors: Kirikova T. A.
Published: February 2018

The feeding on aquatic invertebrates, intensity and efficiency of forage intake were studied at the Sivash lagoons in 1995–2002 by the example of 6 wader species (217 birds). The diet composition significantly varied from seeds of plants to different species of aquatic and soil organisms. The diet at Eastern Sivash was based on Polychaeta, at Central Sivash — on Crustacea and chironomid larvae (Insecta). Foraging intensity depended on the abundance of main prey and the size of prey items taken. We distinguished the studied wader species as “probers” and “gatherers” of forage. The highest foraging intensity among “probers” and “gatherers” were observed at the Sivash lagoons in feeding sites with a high number of chironomid larvae, and the lowest one — in feeding sites with a polychaeta worm Hediste diversicolor. The wader foraging intensity was associated with high density and availability of prey items: at Central Sivash — chironomid larvae and brine shrimps (Artemia salina), at Eastern Sivash — chironomid larvae and polychaetes. Results of the stomach analysis and obtained correlations indicate a determinative role of polychaetes, molluscs, brine shrimps and chironomids in the foraging behaviour and distribution of the studied species of waders at migratory stopovers of the Azov-Black Sea Region.
Painlevé Test, Bäcklund Transformation and Consistent Riccati Expansion Solvability for two Generalised Cylindrical Korteweg-de Vries Equations with Variable Coefficients
Authors: El-Shiekh Rehab M.
Published: February 2018

In this paper, the integrability of the (2+1)-dimensional cylindrical modified Korteweg-de Vries equation and the (3+1)-dimensional cylindrical Korteweg-de Vries equation with variable coefficients arising in dusty plasmas in its generalised form was studied by two different techniques: the Painlevé test and the consistent Riccati expansion solvability. The integrability conditions and Bäcklund transformations are constructed. By using Bäcklund transformations and the solutions of the Riccati equation many new exact solutions are found for the two equations in this study. Finally, the application of the obtained solutions in dusty plasmas is investigated.
Effect of Varying Pnictogen Elements (Pn=N, P, As, Sb, Bi) on the Optoelectronic Properties of SrZn2Pn2
Authors: Murtaza G. , Yousaf N. , Laref A. , Yaseen M.
Published: February 2018

Pnictogen-based Zintl compounds have fascinating properties. Nowadays these compounds have gained exceptional interest in thermoelectric and optoelectronic fields. Therefore, in this work the structural, electronic and optical properties of SrZn2Pn2 (Pn=N, P, As, Sb, Bi) compounds were studied using state-of-the-art density functional theory. The optimised lattice parameters (ɑ, c, c/ɑ and bond lengths) are consistent with the experimental results. The bulk moduli and c/a showed a decrease when changing the Pnictogen (Pn) anion from N to Bi in SrZn2Pn2 (Pn=N, P, As, Sb, Bi). The modified Becke-Johnson potential is used for band structure calculations. All compounds show semiconducting behaviour except SrZn2Bi2, which is metallic. Pn-p, Zn-d and Sr-d play an important role in defining the electronic structure of the compounds. The optical conductivity and absorption coefficient strength are high in visible and ultraviolet regions. These band structures and optical properties clearly show that SrZn2Pn2 compounds are potential candidates in the fields of optoelectronic and photonic devices.
Electrical Conductivities of Low-Temperature KCl-ZrCl4 and CsCl-ZrCl4 Molten Mixtures
Authors: Salyulev Alexander B. , Potapov Alexei M.
Published: February 2018

The electrical conductivities of molten KCl-ZrCl4 and CsCl-ZrCl4 mixtures, including their heterogeneous (melt+crystals) ranges, were measured for the first time. The concentration ranges were 65–72 and 66–75 mol.% of ZrCl4, and the temperature ranges were 482–711 and 548–735 K, respectively. The measurements were carried out in cells of an original design.
Exercise Technique: Dumbbell Clean
Authors: Hedrick Allen
Published: February 2018

ENHANCING MUSCULAR POWER IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF TRAINING, BOTH FOR ATHLETES AND THOSE TRAINING FOR GENERAL FITNESS. THE WEIGHTLIFTING MOVEMENTS ARE RECOGNIZED AS AN EFFECTIVE TRAINING METHOD WHEN THE GOAL IS ENHANCED POWER DEVELOPMENT. LESS RECOGNIZED IS THAT THE WEIGHTLIFTING MOVEMENTS CAN BE EFFECTIVELY PERFORMED WITH DUMBBELLS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO DESCRIBE THE TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN THE DUMBBELL CLEAN AND IDENTIFY SOME OF THE BENEFITS THAT CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF PERFORMING THIS EXERCISE WITH DUMBBELLS.
Modulus and Damping of Asphaltic Concrete Using the Resonant Column
Authors: Allen DL , Deen RC
Published: February 2018

A program to determine Young's modulus of asphalt concrete using the resonant column is presented. The equipment is capable of longitudinal and torsional vibrations. The specimens were tested at three temperatures. A copper heating coil mounted inside the apparatus was used to control specimen temperature. The basic properties of the test material are also described. The two major problems of this particular program were the loss of coupling between the test specimen and the apparatus and the failure to effectively reduce spurious machine vibrations at high frequencies. As expected, modulus and damping were functions of temperature.
A Preliminary Evaluation of Linear Control Schemes for FES-Assisted Movements
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed , Huq Mohammad Saiful , Ibrahim Babul Salam KSM , Ahmed Aisha
Published: February 2018

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) can be used to revive movement functions of the human body to a certain degree which was lost due to occurrences of the nervous system disorders resulting from accidents or diseases. It can also be employed for gait rehabilitation as well as therapy. Control systems could be employed to improve on the FES-induced motion, and the closed-loop was targeted due to its advantages. Based on the papers reviewed, studies have shown that the linear control schemes are popular for movement restoration in the lower limb, but mostly for continuous standing contributing to mainly the stance phase. Therefore, a myriad of limitations was observed which include: the need for using improved sensors, re-tuning for every subject, tests conducted using patient with more straightforward ailments, complexity in implementation and most importantly is the issue of stability. The swing phase of gait movement and the full walking motion have more complex dynamics and coupled with the nature of the plant (human with nervous system disorder and the neuromuscular structure) could render the linear control method obsolete or unsuitable. Hence, there is a need to investigate other techniques such as the nonlinear and intelligent control methods.
Influence of coaches behaviour on elite volleyball players' motivational climate and performance satisfaction
Authors: Liew Yi Amy Loh , Wah Teo Eng , Polman Remco
Published: February 2018

Introduction. Coaching behaviour, motivational climate and its influence towards performance satisfaction are important in understanding the development and growth of athletes. In general, positive coaching behaviours could help in enhancing the motivational climate and satisfaction of athletes while negative coaching behaviour might have the opposite effect. Therefore, this study explored the influence of volleyball coaches’ behaviour on elite volleyball players’ motivational climate and performance satisfaction.  Methodology. Three hundred and twenty-eight elite volleyball players (137 male and 191 female, age: 24.42 ± 8.92 years old) participated in this study. They completed three questionnaires: the Coaching Behaviour Questionnaire (CBQ), Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2), and Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASQ). These questionnaires were used to assess athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ behaviour, to examine the influence of athletes’ perceptions of the individual feedback received on their perceptions of the team’s motivational climate and to measure the elite volleyball players’ satisfaction of their team’s performance. Results & Discussion. There was a positive relationship between motivational climate and performance satisfaction (r=0.25); coaching behaviour and performance satisfaction (r=0.26); motivational climate and performance satisfaction (r=0.40). For CBQ, the mean score showed that coach support (2.97 ± 0.40) was the most important as compared to negative coaching behaviour (2.44 ± 0.45). For ASQ, the mean score showed that team integration (5.33 ± 1.00) was the most important subscale influencing athlete satisfaction. The lowest rated athlete satisfaction was external agents, example, facilities and supporters (4.56 ± 0.95). For PMCSQ-2, a higher mean was reported for task-involving climate, example, cooperative learning, effort/improvement, important role (5.36 ± 0.89) than ego-involving climate, example, intra-team member rivalry, unequal recognition, punishment for mistakes (4.09 ± 0.95). Conclusion. Coaches should look into their own coaching behaviour because it is a fundamental aspect in enhancing the performance of athletes with respect to motivational climate and performance satisfaction.
A new somatic environment: Quasi-quantitative study reveals water training as an effective method to increase dancer kinesthetic awareness
Authors: Holmes Sarah W
Published: February 2018

Data from a two-year study suggest that water training has similar effects to a somatic practice. The nature of this study questioned an underlying assumption that dancers understood how to appropriately engage their external rotation. Principal Investigator (PI) hypothesized that working with water as a cross-training method would both strengthen and increase the range of motion of femoral external rotation. Subjects (university dancers) underwent pre- and post-testing measurements (passive and active external rotation and internal rotation). The study consisted of twice a week, 30 to 45-minute water conditioning classes, for six weeks. Programs assisting in angle analysis and determining statistical significance, included: ImageJ, Microsoft Excel, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS IMB version 24). Qualitative data were processed by an open source Python package, Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) used specifically for text mining. The results reflected that quantitative measurement methods were not effective, indicating no statistical significance in increasing active or passive external rotation. PI observed an increase in perceived awareness of the subject’s external rotation through a qualitative survey. This affirmed PI hypothesis that water training augments kinesthetic awareness in much the same way as a somatic practice. This study encourages the use of water training to develop a dancer’s kinesthetic sensing by creating a positive learning experience that teaches body awareness in a new environment.
Effect of circuit training on fighting performance of young silat athletes - A case study
Authors: Mohamed Shapie Mohamad Nizam , Oliver Jon , O’Donoghue Peter , Tong Richard
Published: February 2018

Background & Study Aim: The purpose of the current case study was to describe the activity pattern of individual exponents during competitive fights completed before and after six weeks circuit training programme. Material & Methods: Thirteen and 16-year-old experimental (E13 and E16) and control (C13 and C16) participants were paired and videoed with fighting before and after 6-week training. Exponents were chosen based on their age, maturation, weight, competitive standard (none had participated in an official silat match), and initial fitness performance. All matches were converted into .mpg files and analysed using the same procedure. The distribution of outcomes was analysed and used as an index of performance for more detailed analysis. Results: The E13 increased the frequency of kicking during competition post-training, which is suggested to reflect transference of improved fitness to competition. Both E13 and C13 improved the ability to dodge their opponent attacks, likely reflecting a response to technical coaching. The frequency of actions during competition generally decreased for both older participants, suggesting limited fitness transference to competition. All individuals demonstrated some meaningful improvements in fitness following the intervention period. However, these responses did not necessarily reflect the group finding. Conclusions: This was the first case study to examine the changes in competitive fighting performance of four young performers from experimental and control groups following a silat-specific circuit training programme. Therefore, fitness gains together with technical coaching may transfer to competition in younger exponents, while alterations in strategy may have been more decisive in the older group. The research has provided further insight of fitness development and trainability, and also transference fitness into competitive performance in youth silat which may help to facilitate coaches of the demands and requirements of the combat sport.
Avoiding medication errors through effective communication in healthcare environment
Authors: Shitu Zayyanu , Hassan Isyaku , Thwe Aung Myat Moe , Tuan Kamaruzaman Tuan Hairulnizam , Musa Rabiu Muazu
Published: February 2018

One of the major problems causing medication errors is ineffective communication between patients and health personnel. This paper discusses the communication issues in the healthcare environment and how medication errors can be avoided through effective communication. An internet-based search was conducted to locate relevant articles published between 2004 and 2017. Only articles that touch upon communication and health-related issues were selected. Online sources such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were utilized. The importance of good communication practices for effective health and improved patient safety in hospital settings has been highlighted. It is evident from this review that poor communication most frequent causes adverse effects, delay in treatment, medication errors, and wrong-site surgery. The major communication issues in healthcare environment include language barriers, the medium of communication, physical setting, and social setting. Healthcare workers tend to use technical language in the workplace because they consider the tone of communication to be always professional. It has been established that knowledge on professional-patient communication is essential and valuable in improving therapeutic outcomes. Patients need knowledge and support in order to be able and motivated to undergo medicine therapy. Health practitioners need to take responsibility for demanding and creating an environment where high-quality healthcare counselling is routinely practiced. To promote safe and effective practice in hospitals and avoid medication errors, clinicians should adhere to teamwork and effective communication with the patients. There is a need for designing strategies such as effective communication and teamwork amongst healthcare pro­fessionals, which can consequently influence the quality of healthcare services and patient outcomes.
Development of wearable electromyogram for the physical fatigue detection during aerobic activity
Authors: Ahmad Zulkifli , Jamaludin Mohd Najeb , Omar Abdul Hafidz
Published: February 2018

Physical fatigue or muscle fatigue is a common problem that affects people who are vigorously involved in activities that require endurance movements. It becomes more complicated to measure the fatigue level when the dynamic motion of the activity is included. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a wearable device that can be used for monitoring physical fatigue condition during aerobic exercise. A 10-bit analog to digital converter (ADC) micro-controller board was used to process the data sensed by Ag/AgCl electrodes and real-time transmitted to the computer through Bluetooth's technology. The wearable was attached to the knee and connected to the biopotential electrodes for sensing the muscle movement and convert it into the electrical signal. The signal then processed by using the fourth-order Butterworth filter to filter the low-pass filter frequency and eliminate the noise signal. The results reveal that the fatigue level increased gradually based on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), using 10-point Borg's scale, which is rated by the subject’s feeling. Both muscle's activities in lower limb rise as speed is increased, and it was also observed that the rectus femoris is functioning more than gastrocnemius due to the size of muscle fiber. Furthermore, it was established that the maximum volumetric contraction (MVC) could be used as a reference and indicator for measuring the percentage of contraction in pre-fatigue but not to fatigue induced experiment. However, this wearable device for EMG is promising to measure the muscle signal in the dynamic motion of movement. Consequently, this device is beneficial for a coach to monitor their athlete's level of exhaustion to be not over-exercise, which also can prevent severe injury.
Disorders of sex development: a study of 194 cases
Authors: Walia R , Singla M , Vaiphei K , Kumar S , Bhansali A
Published: February 2018

Objective

To study the clinical proﬁle and the management of patients with disorders of sex development (DSD).

Design and setting

Retrospective study from a tertiary care hospital of North India.

Methods and patients

One hundred ninety-four patients of DSD registered in the Endocrine clinic of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh between 1995 and 2014 were included.

Results

One hundred and two patients (52.5%) had 46,XY DSD and seventy-four patients (38.1%) had 46,XX DSD. Sex chromosome DSD was identified in seven (3.6%) patients. Of 102 patients with 46,XY DSD, 32 (31.4%) had androgen insensitivity syndrome and 26 (25.5%) had androgen biosynthetic defect. Of the 74 patients with 46,XX DSD, 52 (70.27%) had congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and eight (10.8%) had ovotesticular DSD. Five patients with sex chromosome DSD had mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Excluding CAH, majority of the patients (90%) presented in the post-pubertal period. One-fourth of the patients with simple virilising CAH were reared as males because of strong male gender identity and behaviour and firm insistence by the parents. Corrective surgeries were performed in twenty patients (20%) of 46,XY DSD without hormonal evaluation prior to the presentation.

Conclusion

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the most common DSD in the present series. Most common XY DSD is androgen insensitivity syndrome, while CAH is the most common XX DSD. Delayed diagnosis is a common feature, and corrective surgeries are performed without seeking a definite diagnosis.
The comprehensive impact on human body induced by resolution of growth hormone excess
Authors: Zhang Zhaoyun , Li Qin , He Wenqiang , Qiu Huijia , Ye Hongying , Wang Yongfei , Shen Ming , He Min , Yu Yifei , Shou Xuefei , Huang Chuanxin , Yu Huan , Huang Guoqian , Tang Weijun , Geng Daoying , Fu Chaowei , Liu Congjin , Ma Zengyi , Ye Zhao , Zhang Qilin , Zhang Yichao , Shen Yue , Yang Yeping , Wang Meng , Liu Xingdang , Lu Yun , Hu Renming , Mao Ying , Zhou Liangfu , Li Yiming , Li Shiqi , Tritos Nicholas A , Zhao Yao
Published: February 2018

Context

Chronic excess of growth hormone (GH) often leads to systemic complications. The reversibility of these complications after GH resolution is not fully understood.

Objective

To investigate when and to what extent will the comorbidities be ameliorated.

Design

We conducted a prospective study comprising 24 patients with acromegaly, who achieved remission after transsphenoidal surgery. The dynamic changes of endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, sleep, bone and morphology parameters were evaluated at enrollment and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery.

Results

Random GH dropped by 98.4% at the first day postoperatively. IGF-I index dropped by 50% and 64% at 1 week and 1 month respectively and remained unchanged onwards. Glucose metabolism improved significantly at 1 week and stabilized at 1 month. Testosterone in male patients recovered to normal range since 1 month. Systolic blood pressures dropped markedly at 3 months while diastolic blood pressures fell mildly at later visits. Abnormal lung function showed no improvement. The decrease of bone formation and resorption markers occurred at 1 week and 3 months, respectively. At 1 month, the tongue area declined while the airway volume increased significantly, accompanied with improved obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Extremities, lips and nasal ala became smaller since 1 week. Liver, kidney and spleen volumes declined by 6.4, 15.9, 9.2%, respectively at 1 month. The volumes of pancreas and adrenal showed no change.

Conclusions

The rapid resolution of excessive GH led to the reversible changes of systemic comorbidities in a time-dependent and organ-specific manner.