bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radial Shock Wave Therapy in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis
Authors: Ilieva Elena M. , Minchev Roumen M. , Petrova Nedyalka S. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis, or “tennis elbow”, is a relatively common disorder.
Various therapeutic modalities have been tried in an attempt to manage the disorder but
neither the conservative methods nor the surgical options have proved to be benefi cial so
far. During the past decade in the USA and European countries and the past several years
in Bulgaria, the shock wave therapy (focused and radial) has been introduced as a method
of choice in the treatment of chronic tendynopathies.

The AIM of the present study was to make quantitative assessment of the effect of radial
shockwave therapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 16 patients with lateral epicondylitis (9 males,
7 females, mean age 47.2 ± 2.3 yrs) of mean duration of 15.06 ± 4.06 months. We used
the BTL-5000 radial shockwave therapy equipment and performed 5 procedures (one per
week). The total number of shocks was 2500, the pressure was 2 Bars: 1500 shocks of 5 Hz
frequency followed by 500 shocks of 10 Hz frequency were applied locally on the lateral
epicondyle and 500 shocks of 2 Bar pressure and 5 Hz frequency were applied along the
muscles near the insertion. The patients were evaluated 5 times: before treatment, immediately
after the end of treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Pain was assessed
at rest, on palpation and by the Thomsen test using a visual analogue scale (VAS).
The patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire was used to assess the
patients‘ pain, functional condition and limitations in performing specifi c activities, as well
as for the overall self evaluation.

RESULTS: We found signifi cant difference (p < 0.05) between the mean pain scores (at rest,
on palpation and by Thomsen test) before treatment and these scores obtained immediately
after treatment, the decrease sustained at 3, 6 and 12 months. VAS showed decrease from
3.75 ± 0.49 before therapy to 2.44 ± 0.39 after treatment, to 1.94 ± 0.46 at 3 months and to
0.69 ± 0.38 at one year at rest, from 7.44 ± 0.38 before therapy to 4.69 ± 0.51 after treatment,
to 3.56 ± 0.40 at 3 months and 1.46 ± 0.56 at one year at palpation, and from 5.87 ±
0.46 before therapy to 3.5 ± 0.29 after it, to 2.5 ± 0.40 at 3 months and 1 ± 0.38 at one year
in the Thomsen test.

The pain, function and the total score as assessed on the patient-rated scale (PRTEE) also
showed statistically signifi cant improvement (p < 0.05) after completion of therapy and
over the whole follow-up. Total score decreased from 56.75 ± 2.34 before therapy to 39.38 ±
3.96 after treatment, to 27.53 ± 3.7 at 3 months and to 13.69 ± 4.48 at one year.

CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this preliminary study we could recommend the radial
shock wave therapy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis of more than 6 months‘ duration
if the condition is recalcitrant to other conservative methods of treatment.
The effect of various light conditions and different nitrogen forms on nitrogen metabolism in pepper fruits
Authors: Kołton Anna , Wojciechowska Renata , Leja Maria 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The ‘Spartacus’ F1 sweet pepper was grown in a plastic tunnel on rockwool during 2006-2008. A fertigation technique was used for water and fertiliser application. The tunnel was divided into two parts covered with different plastic films. The first part of the tunnel was covered with a film that transmitted less light than the film covering the second part. In both parts of the tunnel, the plants were divided into two groups. One group of plants was fertilised with just nitrate nitrogen (100% N-NO3) and the other one with three forms of nitrogen (N-NO3:N-NH4:N-NH2 in a ratio of 50:13:37). Fruits were harvested mature green and red. Concentrations of nitrate and ammonium ions as well as total nitrogen and free amino acids were analysed in the plant material. Nitrate and nitrite reductase activities were also investigated, and dry matter content and soluble sugars were also determined. Higher light intensity increased nitrate concentration in red pepper fruits but decreased ammonium ion content. These tendencies were not as obvious in green fruits. In most cases, red fruits fertilised with three nitrogen forms accumulated more nitrates than those fertilised with N-NO3. This observation was similar in the case of green fruits. In most cases, pepper fruits accumulated more ammonium ions in the case of N-NO3 fertilisation than when three forms of nitrogen were applied, but the differences were not always statistically significant. Higher nitrate reductase activity was observed in the case of better light conditions as well as mixed nitrogen fertilisation in red pepper fruits. No differences were observed in the case of nitrite reductase activity between fruits harvested from various treatments in red and also green fruits, with some exceptions. The green fruits of pepper had higher nitrate reductase activity than the red ones. It can be summarised that various light conditions influenced the nitrogen metabolism of pepper fruits as well as the different nitrogen forms applied with fertilisers.
Magnetic stimulation of marigold seed
Authors: Afzal I. , Mukhtar K. , Qasim M. , Basra S.M.A. , Shahid M. , Haq Z. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The effects of magnetic field treatments of French marigold seeds on germination, early seedling growth and biochemical changes of seedlings were studied under controlled conditions. For this purpose, seeds were exposed to five different magnetic seed treatments for 3 min each. Most of seed treatments resulted in improved germination speed and spread, root and shoot length, seed soluble sugars and a-amylase activity. Magnetic seed treatment with 100 mT maximally improved germination, seedling vigour and starch metabolism as compared to control and other seed treatments. In emergence experiment, higher emergence percentage (4-fold), emergence index (5-fold) and vigorous seedling growth were obtained in seeds treated with 100 mT. Overall, the enhancement of marigold seeds by magnetic seed treatment with 100 mT could be related to enhanced starch metabolism. The results suggest that magnetic field treatments of French marigold seeds have the potential to enhance germination, early growth and biochemical parameters of seedlings.
Rheological behaviour of heated potato starch dispersions
Authors: Juszczak L. , Witczak M. , Ziêba T. , Fortuna T. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The study was designed to investigate the rheological properties of heated potato starch dispersions. Water suspensions of starch were heated at 65, 80 or 95°C for 5, 15, 30 or 60 min. The dispersions obtained were examined for granule size distribution and rheology. It was found that the starch dispersions significantly differed in both respects. The mean diameters of starch granules were largest for the dispersion heated at 65°C and smallest for that heated at 95°C. As the heating temperature was raised, the yield stresses and consistency coefficients decreased, while the flow behaviour indexes and Casson plastic viscosities increased. There were also differences in the viscoelastic properties of the dispersions: for those heated at 65°C the storage and loss moduli increased with heating time whereas for those heated at 80°C both moduli decreased.
Characterization of ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) crystals in first-year Arctic sea ice north of Svalbard
Authors: Nomura Daiki , Assmy Philipp , Nehrke Gernot , Granskog Mats A. , Fischer Michael , Dieckmann Gerhard S. , Fransson Agneta , Hu Yubin , Schnetger Bernhard 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe identified ikaite crystals (CaCO3·6H2O) and examined their shape and size distribution in first-year Arctic pack ice, overlying snow and slush layers during the spring melt onset north of Svalbard. Additional measurements of total alkalinity (TA) were made for melted snow and sea-ice samples. Ikaite crystals were mainly found in the bottom of the snowpack, in slush and the surface layers of the sea ice where the temperature was generally lower and salinity higher than in the ice below. Image analysis showed that ikaite crystals were characterized by a roughly elliptical shape and a maximum caliper diameter of 201.0±115.9 μm (n = 918). Since the ice-melting season had already started, ikaite crystals may already have begun to dissolve, which might explain the lack of a relationship between ikaite crystal size and sea-ice parameters (temperature, salinity, and thickness of snow and ice). Comparisons of salinity and TA profiles for melted ice samples suggest that the precipitation/dissolution of ikaite crystals occurred at the top of the sea ice and the bottom of the snowpack during ice formation/melting processes.
Numerical modeling of force and contact networks in fragmented sea ice
Authors: Herman Agnieszka 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn this paper, a molecular-dynamics sea-ice model is used to study contact and force networks in fragmented sea ice, composed of separate floes with power-law size distribution. The momentum equations for individual floes, taking into account floe/floe collisions (with Hertzian contact mechanics), are formulated in a way suitable for a computationally efficient numerical algorithm, allowing simulation of systems of thousands of floes. The simulations are performed for a number of scenarios: pure convergence without wind, through a jamming phase transition; constant wind at a constant ice concentration; and an idealized marginal ice zone. An analysis of the statistical properties of the contact and force networks reveals a highly localized, intermittent character of internal stress in the ice, as well as the role of the size-dependent response of floes to the forcing in formation of spatial patterns of internal stress at lower ice concentrations. The results provide a valuable starting point for formulating improved rheology models for fragmented sea ice.
Familial multiple exostosis arising from bones of enchondral as well as membranous (in a family affecting seven members)
Authors: Kambali Maruti , Priyamargavi H , Nazeer Shiek , Mukherjee Debojyothi , Gudi N.S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFamilial multiple exostosis in a family of seven members who are affected found that exostosis was arising both from bones of enchondral as well as membranous ossification, which was sessile as well as pedunculated and was larger in size at the growing ends of the bones. The lesions occur only in bones that develop from cartilage (endochondral ossification). In our study, we have noticed lesions occurring in both endochondral as well as membranous bone. Till now, no article has mentioned about membranous origin (clavicle).
Assessment-Driven Learning of Mathematics for Engineering Students
Authors: Davis L. E. , Harrison M. C. , Palipana A. S. , Ward J. P. 
Published: February 2013

HELM (Helping Engineers Learn Mathematics) is a three-year curriculum development project undertaken by a consortium of five universities (Loughborough, Hull, Reading, Sunderland and UMIST) which aims to enhance the mathematical education of engineering undergraduates by the provision of flexible learning resources. HELM makes extensive use of a computer aided assessment (CAA) regime, available in web- and CD-based versions, to drive student learning. This paper first describes the HELM learning resources and outlines the project's assessment philosophy; the HELM assessment regime and how it can be successfully used for both formative and summative assessment are then described. Finally, the viability of the HELM assessment regime across the higher education sector is examined.
Correction to the Classical Two-Species Hall Coefficient Using Twoport Network Theory
Authors: de Paor A. M. 
Published: February 2013

By the use of twoport network theory, the classical expression for the two-species Hall Coefficient, [Formula: see text] is, on admission of terms neglected by earlier authors, corrected to [Formula: see text] The new expression approximates the old when | By| « min {1/ μn, 1/ μp}. The condition of approximation establishes the range of field strength in which the classical expression is acceptable. Since the Hall Effect is part of the stock-in-trade of electrical engineers, however, it seems important that students should be aware of the correct expression.
Accreditation of Engineering Programmes at European Level
Authors: Augusti Giuliano 
Published: February 2013

While Europe still lacks a common system for the accreditation of educational programmes, the Bologna process, now involving more than 40 countries, intends to establish a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) on the basis of ‘a system of easily readable and comparable degrees’. In this context, while recognition of professional qualifications is assured by European Directives (a new overarching Directive was published in September 2005), it is essential to ensure that educational programmes are accredited on a continental scale. This paper illustrates the main outcomes of the EUR-ACE (EURopean ACredited Engineer) project, aimed at the establishment of a pan-European system for accreditation of engineering educational programmes on the basis of a multilateral, bottom-up agreement between national and regional bodies and Associations concerned, and the perspectives for its implementation.
Well Mixed Model Analysis in Indoor Air Quality
Authors: Assad Mamdouh El Haj 
Published: February 2013

In this work, unsteady contaminant concentrations in enclosures have been analysed by using a sequential box model. The enclosure is divided into two cells for which a nondimensional analysis is introduced to find the unsteady contaminant concentrations in each cell. The dimensionless concentrations have been obtained in terms of input parameters which can be controlled. An analytical solution for the system of equations has been obtained. The results show that the input parameters which account for the air exchange across the boundary between the cells have a major effect on contaminant concentrations of the cells. As these parameters approach low values, one of the cells will not receive any contaminant and the other will have well mixed conditions; however, as they increase, both cells approach the same contaminant and the whole enclosure will be well mixed. This work also represents a fundamental approach to obtain the contaminant concentration in an enclosure for different types of contaminant emission rates.
Gossip, Conversation and Group Size: Language as a Bonding Mechanism
Authors: Conein Bernard 
Published: February 2013

Humans share social skills with other primates, but at the same time they possess cognitive capacities that make them unique as a social species. One explanation that could be advanced is that language and verbal communication might play an important role in differentiating humans from other primates (Tomasello 1999; Dunbar 1993, 1996). Different arguments have been provided to explain how language intervenes as supporting species-specific social skills. One is that language could have an important role as a bonding mechanism. The approach here is based on Robin Dunbar's (1993) claim that language is a bonding process related to social group formation. Language as a bonding mechanism contributes to the extension of group size. The paper provides a language-based interpretation of social networks conceived as a complementary approach to the one propounded by Dunbar. Another claim is added to Dunbar's argument by considering the fact that language must generate social ties and networks if it is to increase group size. The main argument is that language creates virtual networks by projecting social ties as public representations available to be reported and assessed (Livet and Nef 2009).
Learning to Change or Changing the Learning: Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland
Authors: Maclachlan Kathy , Tett Lynn 
Published: February 2013

After decades of neglect adult literacy and numeracy (ALN) learning in Scotland has been accorded the prominence that it has always merited but seldom received. Understandings of the concept of literacies and what it means to be literate have similarly undergone significant change in the last few decades. This shift has entailed a recognition of literacies as diverse and complex social practices instead of merely the mechanical, functional skills of decoding and producing texts. This paper examines the experiences of ALN learners in Scotland, where policy affirms a commitment to developing literacies learning that is founded on a social practices model of ALN. It draws from the voices of adult learners throughout the country who reflect upon their learning experiences, and it argues that whilst the policy context has created a real climate of change for literacies learning, and whilst the arrangements for learning have resulted in significant changes for individual learners, there is still much work to be done around the critical and collective aspects of ALN learning for a social practices model to be fully realised in practice.
Partnership Working VIA Community Consortia: A Higher Education Perspective
Authors: Saunders Danny , Payne Rob , Davies Lisa 
Published: February 2013

The advantages and difficulties of partnership working for a new university at crisis point in the use of people, time and facilities for the development of widening participation initiatives. The focus is on local partnerships which bring together a wide range of organisations from public, private and voluntary sectors to increase participation in education and training in the South Wales valleys. Patterns of development were analysed for four consortium-based partnerships. Membership profiles revealed a pronounced dominance by public sector representatives. It was noted that after an initial interest in community partnership operations employers and voluntary sector representatives gradually stopped attending. Meetings were linked with a growing level of administrative detail and local educational authority and school representatives addressed an agenda of education and training provision for 14–19-year-olds; it is suspected that this also explained to some extent the non-attendance of business and voluntary sector representatives because they perceived 14–19-year-old youth dominated agendas as peripheral to their core interests. By contrast, the working groups in the partnerships were characterised by more grassroots involvement from a variety of sectors. The authors identify four possible strategies for meaningful engagement in numerous and concurrent local partnerships.
The Significance of Interpersonal Skills and Tutor Behaviour in Determining Quality of Teaching and Learning in Adult Education
Authors: Armstrong Liz 
Published: February 2013

Over the last six years, the UK government has focused on inspection as a means to drive improvement in the adult education sector. This article examines how far the quality assumptions behind the Common Inspection Framework are adequate and whether it requires further development. The purpose of this study is twofold: first to give a voice to adult education learners; and secondly, to examine whether the interpersonal skills and behaviour of the adult education tutor are a significant factor in determining the quality of teaching and learning, and therefore whether the effectiveness of the Common Inspection Framework as a quality improvement tool is limited by the omission of this factor. This is a qualitative research study using a case study from a local authority adult education service. The study concludes that a tutor's interpersonal skills and behaviour are significant to learners in determining quality and that the voice of learners can make a meaningful contribution towards quality improvement. It further concludes that, if quality is to improve significantly, the interpersonal skills and behaviour required need to be included in teacher-training programmes, classroom observations and the Common Inspection Framework.
One in Three? The Incidence and Outcomes Associated with the Late Attainment of Qualifications in the United Kingdom
Authors: Conlon Gavan 
Published: February 2013

Successive governments in the United Kingdom have consistently attempted to increase the skills base by encouraging younger members of society to remain in education, increasing access to higher and further education and by removing barriers to learning later in life. Although there are estimates of the incidence of educational participation2 and the economic rewards achieved by those in possession of formally recognised qualifications, either in terms of labour market outcomes or earnings, little is known about the personal or family characteristics associated with those engaged in learning later in life. There is no formal definition of what exactly late learning refers to, insufficient quantitative information3 relating to the incidence of adult learning, the associated costs and benefits or even whether the type of qualification or the method by which the qualification is undertaken is important. This article makes a provisional attempt to answer some of these questions. The conclusions are not intended to be definitive, but should be seen as a basis for other possible research work. However, some conclusions are clear and unambiguous. Learning undertaken later in life is widespread. Approximately one in three of the hours of education and training received by working-age individuals in the United Kingdom are attributable to those above the age of 25. This figure is substantially higher than the received wisdom in the academic arena. The costs and benefits associated with learning later in life remain difficult to compute due to the data limitations; however, it is illustrated that there is a sizeable penalty in terms of hourly wages and hours worked for late learners. Additional work must be undertaken as superior sources of data become available, as this area of work is currently under-researched. Rather than being at the periphery of education and training policy in the United Kingdom, late learning should continue to be seen as an important pillar within the general attempt to build the knowledge base within the United Kingdom.