bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Removal of fluoride from polluted waters using active carbon derived from barks of Vitex negundo plant
Authors: Suneetha Mekala , Sundar Bethanabhatla Syama , Ravindhranath Kunta 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Background
Deleterious effects of fluoride contamination in ground waters on the health of human beings are well known and intensive research on developing de-fluoridation methods is globally pursued. Of the various methodologies, increasing interest is being envisaged in using the adsorption methods based on active carbons derived from plant material. In the present investigation, Nitric acid activated carbon derived from barks of Vitex negundo plant (NVNC) is probed for its de-fluoridation abilities.

Methods
The activated carbon is characterized adopting various physicochemical methods and surface morphological studies are carried out using FT-IR and SEM-EDX techniques. The effect of various parameters such as pH, sorbent dosage, agitation time, initial concentration of fluoride, temperature, particle size and presence of foreign ions on the extraction of the fluoride is studied adopting Batch methods.The adsorption process is analyzed with Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms and kinetics of adsorption is studied using pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion, Bangham’s pore diffusion and Elovich equations. The methodology developed is applied to real ground water samples.

Results
De-fluoridation is maximum at the pH: 7.0, adsorbent dosage: 4.0g/lit; equilibrium time: 50 min, Particle size: 45μ and temperature: 30 ± 1°C. The correlation coefficient values for the adsorption isotherms: Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich are 0.929, 0.998, 0.980 and 0.946 respectively and for kinetic models: pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion, Bangham’s pore diffusion and Elovich equations are 0.989, 0.994, 0.874, 0.902 and 0.912 respectively. The Temkin heat of sorption, B, and the Dubinin-Radushkevich mean free energy, E, for the activated carbon adsorbent are 0.196 J/mol and 7.07 kJ/mol respectively.

Conclusions
Nitric acid activated carbon derived from barks of Vitex negundo (NVNC) plant is found to be an effective adsorbent for the de-fluoridation of waters. The adsorption process is satisfactorily fitted with Langmuir adsorption isotherm with good correlation coefficient value and it indicates monolayer adsorption. The adsorption kinetics is found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics. The Dubinin-Radushkevich mean free energy and Temkin heat of sorption confirm the physisorption nature as these are lower than 20kJ/mol. The procedure developed is remarkably successful in de-fluoridation of real ground water samples.
Inter- and intraobserver reproducibility of buccal bone measurements at dental implants with cone beam computed tomography in the esthetic region
Authors: Slagter Kirsten W , Raghoebar Gerry M , Vissink Arjan , Meijer Henny J A 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Background
Sufficient buccal bone is important for optimal esthetic results of implant treatment in the anterior region. It can be measured with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), but background scattering and problems with standardization of the measurements are encountered. The aim was to develop a method for reliable, reproducible measurements on CBCTs.

Methods
Using a new method, buccal bone thickness was measured on ten CBCTs at six positions along the implant axis. Inter- and intraobserver reproducibility was assessed by repeated measurements by two examiners.

Results
Mean buccal bone thickness measured by observers 1 and 2 was 2.42 mm (sd: 0.50) and 2.41 mm (sd: 0.47), respectively. Interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.98). The mean buccal bone thickness of the first measurement and the second measurement of observer 1 was 2.42 mm (sd: 0.50) and 2.53 mm (sd: 0.49), respectively, with an intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.93 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.96). The mean buccal bone thickness of the first measurement and the second measurement of observer 2 was 2.41 mm (sd: 0.47) and 2.52 mm (sd: 0.47), respectively, with an intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.97).

Conclusions
Applying the methods used in this study, CBCTs are suitable for reliable and reproducible measurements of buccal bone thickness at implants.
Generation and Characterization of Transgenic Mice Expressing Mouse Ins1 Promoter for Pancreatic β-Cell-Specific Gene Overexpression and Knockout
Authors: Cheng Yulong , Su Yutong , Shan Aijing , Jiang Xiuli , Ma Qinyun , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Cao Yanan 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The technologies for pancreatic β-cell-specific gene overexpression or knockout are fundamental for investigations of functional genes in vivo. Here we generated the Ins1-Cre-Dsred and Ins1-rtTA mouse models, which expressed the Cre recombinase or reverse tetracycline regulatable transactivator (rtTA) without hGH minigene under the control of mouse Ins1 promoter. Our data showed that the Cre-mediated recombination and rtTA-mediated activation could be efficiently detected at embryonic day 13.5 when these models were crossed with the reporter mice (ROSAmT/mG or tetO-HIST1H2BJ/GFP). The Cre and rtTA expression was restricted to β-cells without leakage in the brain and other tissues. Moreover, both the transgenic lines showed normal glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. These results suggested that the Ins1-Cre-Dsred and Ins1-rtTA mice could be used to knock out or overexpress target genes in embryos and adults to facilitate β-cell researches. (Endocrinology 156: 2724–2731, 2015)
Main Tendencies of Innovative Advertizing Technologies Development in Real Estate Sphere
Authors: Пономарев  , Ponomarev Vladimir 
Published: April 2015

In this paper are considered such innovative methods for
real estate advertizing as non-conventional types of outdoor advertizing
(&#34;ambient media&#34;) and advertizing on devoted to real estate
special Internet portals. Two categories of real estate market’s
participating organizations forming the offer are considered – construction
and investment companies, and real estate agencies.
Distinctions between them in advertizing budget volume and,
therefore, in a choice of concrete forms of advertizing when planning
the advertizing campaigns are specified. A conclusion about
the increasing role of innovative methods for advertizing as less
expensive in comparison with the main traditional methods is drawn.
A review of largest Internet portals related to real estate, with indication
of main features for each of them is provided. Examples
of non-conventional forms for outdoor advertizing in the domestic
real estate market are pointed out. The main tendencies related to
the attitude of real estate market participants to innovative methods
of advertizing are revealed and these tendencies’ possible reasons
are specified.
Service Quality Variability and Termination Behavior
Authors: Sriram S. , Chintagunta Pradeep K. , Manchanda Puneet 
Published: April 2015

We investigate the roles of the level and variability in quality in driving customer retention for a new service. We present model-free evidence that whereas high average quality helps in retaining customers, high variability leads to higher termination rates. Apart from these main effects, we use model-free evidence to document the presence of (a) an interaction effect between average service quality and its variability on termination rates, (b) customer learning about service quality over time, and (c) a slower rate of learning among households that experience high variability. We postulate a mechanism involving risk aversion and learning, which can induce this interaction effect, and test this against several alternative explanations. We show that it is important to consider variability in quality while inferring the impact of improvements to average quality—ignoring the interaction effect between average quality and variability leads to an 18%–64% (5%–31%) overestimation (underestimation) of quality improvement elasticities among high-variability (low-variability) households. Given that responsiveness to quality decreases with variability, it is better for the firm to focus quality improvement efforts on customers experiencing low variability; increasing average quality by 1% lowers termination by 1.1% for low-variability households, but only by 0.41% for high-variability households. This paper was accepted by Gérard Cachon, marketing.
Achilles tendon rupture rehabilitation
Authors: Kearney R. S. , Parsons N. , Underwood M. , Costa M. L. 
Published: April 2015

Objectives The evidence base to inform the management of Achilles tendon rupture is sparse. The objectives of this research were to establish what current practice is in the United Kingdom and explore clinicians’ views on proposed further research in this area. This study was registered with the ISRCTN (ISRCTN68273773) as part of a larger programme of research. Methods We report an online survey of current practice in the United Kingdom, approved by the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and completed by 181 of its members. A total of ten of these respondents were invited for a subsequent one-to-one interview to explore clinician views on proposed further research in this area. Results The survey showed wide variations in practice, with patients being managed in plaster cast alone (13%), plaster cast followed by orthoses management (68%), and orthoses alone (19%). Within these categories, further variation existed regarding the individual rehabilitation facets, such as the length of time worn, the foot position within them and weight-bearing status. The subsequent interviews reflected this clinical uncertainty and the pressing need for definitive research. Conclusions The gap in evidence in this area has resulted in practice in the United Kingdom becoming varied and based on individual opinion. Future high-quality randomised trials on this subject are supported by the clinical community. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:65–9
Participatory culture and informal music learning through video creation in the curriculum
Authors: Cayari Christopher 
Published: April 2015

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

Abstract
Scholars from a wide range of disciplines – from linguistics, neuroscience and science to education, Sports and Leisure and telecommunications – have argued for the centrality of the body to effective learning environments. My contention in this article is that embracing the body is also crucial for creating empowering environments to support writing in UK Higher Education (HE). Drawing mainly on feminist theories of the body, I discuss how I have attempted to do this in my own work in academic literacy support with a specific consideration on the creation of supportive spaces for writing. The intention here is to theorize ways in which the body might relate to writing and to stimulate creative ideas about how this burgeoning field of ‘embodied writing support’ can be further developed.
The problems experienced by science teachers in their profession and difficulties they are confronted with in science teaching <p> Fen Bilimleri öğretmenlerinin meslekte karşılaştıkları problemler ve fen öğretiminde yaşadıkları zorluklar
Authors: Akıncı Barış , Uzun Naim , Kışoğlu Mustafa 
Published: April 2015

<p>The purpose of the current study is to reveal some important problems encountered by science teachers in their profession and science teaching and to suggest about these problems. The present study is a descriptive study designed in the survey model. The study group consists of 545 science teachers working in 76 different cities of Turkey. Based on a literature review and by collecting the opinions of 201 science teachers via e-mail, a 37-item questionnaire was developed. Cronbach Alpha coefficient for the reliability of the questionnaire was found to be 0.70. The questionnaire was administered in as on-line. The data were analyzed through SPSS program package and descriptive statistics related to the data were evaluated. In this regard, frequencies and percentages were calculated. Based on the opinions of the teachers, evaluations were made about the problems experienced by science teachers in their profession and science teaching. The findings are presented together with suggestions for solutions. </p><p> </p><p>Özet</p><p>Bu çalışmanın amacı, Fen Bilimleri öğretmenlerinin fen öğretiminde ve mesleklerinde karşılaştıkları bazı önemli sorunları ortaya koymak ve bunlara ilişkin çözüm yolları üretmektir. Araştırma, tarama modelinde yapılmış betimsel bir çalışmadır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Türkiye’nin 76 farklı ilinde görev yapan 545 Fen Bilimleri öğretmeni oluşturmaktadır. Literatürden faydalanılarak ve 201 Fen Bilimleri öğretmeninin mail yolu ile görüşleri alınarak 37 sorudan oluşan bir anket geliştirilmiştir. Anketin güvenirliğine ilişkin Cronbach Alpha katsayısı 0.70 olarak bulunmuştur. Anket, dijital ortamda çevrimiçi olarak uygulanmıştır. Veriler SPSS programıyla analiz edilmiş, verilere ait be­timsel istatistikler incelenmiştir. Bu kapsamda frekans analizi ve yüzde hesaplamaları yapılmıştır. Öğretmenlerin görüşleri doğrultusunda fen bilimleri öğretiminde ve meslekte yaşanan sorunlarla ilgili değerlendirmeler yapılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular çözüm önerileriyle birlikte sunulmuştur.</p>
Measuring the Effect of Multimarket Contact on Competition: Evidence from Mergers Following Radio Broadcast Ownership Deregulation
Authors: Waldfogel Joel , Wulf Julie 
Published: April 2015

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

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

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

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

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

AbstractThis study investigates stakeholder pressures on corporate climate change-related accountability and disclosure practices in Australia. While existing scholarship investigates stakeholder pressures on companies to discharge their broader accountability through general social and environmental disclosures, there is a lack of research investigating whether and how stakeholder pressures emerge to influence accountability and disclosure practices related to climate change. We surveyed various stakeholder groups to understand their concerns about climate change-related corporate accountability and disclosure practices. We present three primary findings: first, while NGOs and the media have some influence, institutional investors and government bodies (regulators) are perceived to be the most powerful stakeholders in generating climate change-related concern and coercive pressure on corporations to be accountable. Second, corporate climate change-related disclosures, as documented through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), are positively associated with such perceived coercive pressures. Lastly, we find a positive correlation between the level of media attention to climate change and Australian corporate responses to the CDP. Our results indicate that corporations will not disclose climate change information until pressured by non-financial stakeholders. This suggests a larger role for non-financial actors than previously theorized, with several policy implications.
Analytical performance specifications based on how clinicians use laboratory tests. Experiences from a post-analytical external quality assessment programme
Authors: Thue Geir , Sandberg Sverre 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAnalytical performance specifications can be based on three different models: the effect of analytical performance on clinical outcome, based on components of biological variation of the measurand or based on state-of-the-art. Models 1 and 3 may to some degree be combined by using case histories presented to a large number of clinicians. The Norwegian Quality Improvement of Primary Care Laboratories (Noklus) has integrated vignettes in its external quality assessment programme since 1991, focusing on typical clinical situations in primary care. Haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), HbA