bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporospatial analysis: Gait characteristics of young adults and the elderly in turning while walking
Authors: Bovonsunthonchai Sunee , Hiengkaew Vimonwan , Vachalathiti Roongtiwa , Said Catherine M , Batchelor Frances 
Published: March 2015

Background/Aim: Turning can be a difficult activity for the elderly and has been shown to contribute to a high incidence of falls. While earlier studies have shown differences between age groups in the segmental biomechanics used during turning, a comparative study into the temporospatial parameters during turning is needed to help us to understand how these mechanisms change with age. This study aimed to describe and compare movement characteristics that serve as indicators of difficulty in turning while walking in young adults and the elderly. Methods: Two groups of participants were assessed: young adults (n=20; age range: 18–25 years) and elderly adults (n=20; age range: 60–74 years). A Vicon motion capture system was used to collect data from both groups. Participants were instructed to perform a turn at both 45º and 90º, making each turn first on their right limb and then on their left limb. Three characteristics were used to identify difficulty in turning: i) step length; ii) the time taken to accomplish the turn (step time); iii) the number of steps taken during the turn (step speed). The main effects and interactions of age group (young adults vs elderly), degrees turned (45° and 90°) and ipsilateral limb (i.e. the limb on the side of the turn, left or right) on the step variables (length, time and speed) were assessed using a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A t-test was also carried out, with significant values adjusted according to the Bonferroni correction. Results: Findings demonstrated significant main effects for age, degrees turned and ipsilateral limb, as well as a significant two-way interaction between degrees turned and ipsilateral limb for step length. Main effects for age, degrees turned and ipsilateral limb were found for step speed. Both age groups demonstrated a significant decrease in step speed when turning at 90º compared with 45º, as well as when turning on the left limb compared with the right limb. A comparison between both age groups showed that the elderly participants demonstrated the following characteristics when turning: i) significant decrease in step length; ii) increase in step time; iii) decrease in step speed. Conclusions: Different turning characteristics were expressed between age groups, degrees turned and ipsilateral limb. In general, the elderly participants turned with shorter step length, longer step time and slower step speed than the young adults. We believe these changes observed in the three characteristics in the elderly group are indicators of difficulty in turning while walking.
Mirror therapy for the alleviation of phantom limb pain following amputation: A literature review
Authors: Timms Jason , Carus Catherine 
Published: March 2015

Background/Aim: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a debilitating condition that affects 50–85% of patients following an amputation and significantly diminishes their quality of life. Mirror therapy has been reported to have potential success for the alleviation of PLP. However, due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms underlying PLP and the fact that no current consensus as to the effectiveness of mirror therapy exists, guidelines for treatment protocols are lacking. This review aimed to assess the current best evidence for using mirror therapy to treat PLP in patients with amputation. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review of original research papers specifically investigating the use of mirror therapy in populations of patients experiencing PLP after unilateral limb amputation. Literature was sourced from PubMed, AMED, CINAHL and Google Scholar. The following search terms were used in combination: ‘phantom pain’; ‘PLP’; ‘phantom limb’; ‘phantom limb pain’; ‘mirror’; ‘mirror treatment’; ‘mirror therapy’; and ‘virtual limb’. All available studies were marked against predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Seven primary articles met the inclusion criteria, all of which reported significant PLP alleviation after using mirror therapy, with a trend for achieving phantom limb movement prior to pain relief. Conclusions: Mirror therapy is a promising intervention for PLP. Regular sessions of mirror therapy are required to maintain treatment effects. Causes of PLP and treatment pathways may be multifactorial; therefore, further well-conducted randomised controlled trials are required to identify best practice.
Predicting and Correlating the Strength Properties of Wood Composite Process Parameters by Use of Boosted Regression Tree Models
Authors: Carty Dillon M. , Young Timothy M. , Zaretzki Russell L. , Guess Frank M. , Petutschnigg Alexander 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Predictive boosted regression tree (BRT) models were developed to predict modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bond (IB) for a US particleboard manufacturer. The temporal process data consisted of 4,307 records and spanned the time frame from March 2009 to June 2010. This study builds on previous published research by developing BRT models across all product types of MOR and IB produced by the particleboard manufacturer. A total of 189 continuous variables from the process line were used as possible predictor variables. BRT model comparisons were made using the root mean squared error for prediction (RMSEP) and the RMSEP relative to the mean of the response variable as a percent (RMSEP%) for the validation data sets. For MOR, RMSEP values ranged from 1.051 to 1.443 MPa, and RMSEP% values ranged from 8.5 to 11.6 percent. For IB, RMSEP values ranged from 0.074 to 0.108 MPa, and RMSEP% values ranged from 12.7 to 18.6 percent. BRT models for MOR and IB predicted better than respective regression tree models without boosting. For MOR, key predictors in the BRT models were related to “pressing temperature zones,” “thickness of pressing,” and “pressing pressure.” For IB, key predictors in the BRT models were related to “thickness of pressing.” The BRT predictive models offer manufacturers an opportunity to improve the understanding of processes and be more predictive in the outcomes of product quality attributes. This may help manufacturers reduce rework and scrap and also improve production efficiencies by avoiding unnecessarily high operating targets.
The Effectiveness of "Teach for America" and Other Under-certified Teachers
Authors: Laczko-Kerr Ildiko , Berliner David C. 
Published: March 2015

The academic achievements of students taught by under-certified primary school teachers were compared to the academic achievements of students taught by regularly certified primary school teachers. This sample of under-certified teachers included three types of under-qualified personnel: emergency, temporary and provisionally certified teachers. One subset of these under-certified teachers was from the national program "Teach For America (TFA)." Recent college graduates are placed by TFA where other under-qualified under-certified teachers are often called upon to work, namely, low-income urban and rural school districts. Certified teachers in this study were from accredited universities and all met state requirements for receiving the regular initial certificate to teach. Recently hired under-certified and certified teachers (N=293) from five low-income school districts were matched on a number of variables, resulting in 109 pairs of teachers whose students all took the mandated state achievement test. Results indicate 1) that students of TFA teachers did not perform significantly different from students of other under-certified teachers, and 2) that students of certified teachers out-performed students of teachers who were under-certified. This was true on all three subtests of the SAT 9reading, mathematics and language arts. Effect sizes favoring the students of certified teachers were substantial. In reading, mathematics, and language, the students of certified teachers outperformed students of under-certified teachers, including the students of the TFA teachers, by about 2 months on a grade equivalent scale. Students of under-certified teachers make about 20% less academic growth per year than do students of teachers with regular certification. Traditional programs of teacher preparation apparently result in positive effects on the academic achievement of low-income primary school children. Present policies allowing under-certified teachers, including those from the TFA program, to work with our most difficult to teach children appear harmful. Such policies increase differences in achievement between the performance of poor children, often immigrant and minority children, and those children who are more advantaged.
Basic education teachers in Brazil in one possible reading of educational policies
Authors: Souza Angelo Ricardo , Gouveia Andréa Barbosa 
Published: March 2015

This article presents a reading of educational policies which have impact and/or relate to teachers’ work. Using data from Basic Education Assessment System (SAEB) and Brazilian National Education Census, this work builds a personal, professional and training profile of basic public education teachers in Brazil, and compares this profile with the demands for jobs in basic education and with the current national educational policies, so as to consider the challenges for public education in the country.
Acreditacion de la calidad y financiamiento. Potenciando el cambio a universitario vía programas no competititivos de mejora
Authors: García de Fanelli Ana María 
Published: March 2015

Este artículo analiza una política pública novedosa incorporada en el 2004 en la Argentina que vincula el financiamiento público con la acreditación de la calidad de las carreras de grado. El Ministerio de Educación asignó fondos trianuales no competitivos a las universidades públicas para que las carreras de grado acreditadas por tres años, bajo el compromiso de realizar planes de mejora, los llevaran adelante. El estudio de esta política se realiza utilizando el método de estudios de caso, seleccionando el proyecto de mayor relevancia por el monto asignado y la cantidad de carreras comprometidas: el Proyecto de Mejoramiento de la Enseñanza de las Ingenierías (PROMEI). Se analizaron documentos y datos cuantitativos y se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a informantes claves y semiestructuradas a autoridades de las unidades académicas. Los resultados muestran que la mayoría de las carreras que recibieron fondos del PROMEI lograron acreditar en la segunda fase. Además, las autoridades evaluaron positivamente el impacto de este proyecto para solucionar las debilidades de las carreras de ingeniería detectadas durante los procesos de acreditación. La evaluación positiva de esta política pública es atribuible a dos factores: primero, su formulación se realizó con la participación de diversos actores de la comunidad disciplinaria de las ingenierías; segundo, los componentes financiables contemplaron los múltiples factores que intervienen en la mejora de la calidad de la enseñanza. Finalmente, ha tenido un efecto adicional no esperado al contribuir con la legitimación de los procesos de acreditación de la calidad.
District-Wide Effects on Data Use in the Classroom
Authors: Wayman Jeffrey C. , Cho Vincent , Jimerson Jo Beth , Spikes Daniel D. 
Published: March 2015

In the present study, an examination is conducted in three school districts of how data are used to improve classroom practice. In doing so, we explore the effects that attitudes toward data, principal leadership, and computer data systems have on how data are used to affect classroom practice. Findings indicate that educators are ambivalent about data: they see how data could support classroom practice, but their data use operates in the presence of numerous barriers. Many of these barriers are due to principal leadership and computer data systems; these barriers often have negative effects on attitudes toward data and disrupt the progression from using data to inform classroom practice. It is hypothesized that many of these barriers can be removed through effective district policies to improve structures and supports for using data.
Novel insight in carbohydrate degradation during alkaline treatment
Authors: Nieminen Kaarlo , Testova Lidia , Paananen Markus , Sixta Herbert 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
A mathematical model is presented, in which the yield loss (YL) and the decline in polymerization of carbohydrates is comprehended. The model is applicable to the treatment of cellulose and hemicelluloses in alkaline media, and it features the actions of peeling, stopping, and alkaline hydrolysis of the polymer chains. The peeling reaction is further subdivided into primary and secondary peeling depending on whether it originates from an initial reducing end-group (REG) or from an REG created by alkaline hydrolysis. Fitting the model to experimental data provides estimates of the various reaction rate constants. When available, simultaneous observations of the YL and the decrease in chain length contribute to the evaluation of the parameters. Alternatively, if the data are limited to the YL, the obtained parameter estimates allow for a projection of the time development of chain length. The model has been applied on data from two types of experiments: soda-anthraquinone treatment of cotton linters and kraft treatment of Scots pine. It was possible to evaluate the impact of the different processes on degradation as well as the portions of polymer chains possessing active or stabilized REGs.
Wild poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla): an emerging weed in cotton and processing tomato in Greece
Authors: Chachalis D. 
Published: March 2015

Summary

Euphorbia heterophylla (wild poinsettia) is reported as an emerging weed in cotton and processing tomato in Kopaida plain, region of Viotia, in central Greece. This is the first record of E. heterophylla in tomato crop in Greece. In a field experiment, mature plants grown under weed-free conditions produced on average 19 heads, 64 capsules, and 192 seeds per individual plant. Mature seeds exhibited no dormancy and the maximum germination (82 to 90%) occurred at temperatures from 25 to 35°C, with a drastic decline (<38%) at 15 and 40°C. Light had no significant effect on seed germination in the whole range of temperatures tested. Fully mature plants were taller than cotton, exerting strong competition. Having no light dependence for germination, seeds might have the potential to germinate and emerge from greater soil depths. This short communication summarizes information for the identification, seed germination and growth of this weed species that would support a proper weed management
Mechanism Research on Melting Loss of Coppery Tuyere Small Sleeve in Blast Furnace
Authors: Chai Yi-Fan , Zhang Jian-Liang , Ning Xiao-Jun , Wei Guang-Yun , Chen Yu-Ting 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe tuyere small sleeve in blast furnace works under poor conditions. The abnormal damage of it will severely affect the performance of the blast furnace, thus it should be replaced during the damping down period. So it is of great significance that we study and reduce the burnout of tuyere small sleeve. Melting loss is one case of its burnout. This paper studied the reasons of tuyere small sleeve’s melting loss, through computational simulation and microscopic analysis of the melting section. The research shows that the temperature of coppery tuyere small sleeve is well distributed when there is no limescale in the lumen, and the temperature increases with the thickness of limescale. In addition, the interruption of circulating water does great harm to the tuyere small sleeve. The melting loss of tuyere small sleeve is caused by iron-slag erosion, with the occurrence of the melt metallurgical bonding and diffusion metallurgical combination.
Plasma-Augmented Fluidized Bed Gasification of Sub-bituminous Coal in CO2–O2 Atmospheres
Authors: Lelievre C. , Pickles C. A. , Hultgren S. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe gasification of a sub-bituminous coal using CO2–O2 gas mixtures was studied in a plasma-augmented fluidized bed gasifier. Firstly, the coal was chemically characterized and the gasification process was examined using Thermogravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA/DTA) in CO2, O2 and at a CO2 to O2 ratio of 3 to 1. Secondly, the equilibrium gas compositions were obtained using the Gibbs free energy minimization method (HSC Chemistry®7). Thirdly, gasification tests were performed in a plasma-augmented fluidized bed and the off-gas temperatures and compositions were determined. Finally, for comparison purposes, control tests were conducted using a conventional fluidized bed coal gasifier and these results were compared to those achieved in the plasma-augmented fluidized bed gasifier. The effects of bed temperature and CO2 to O2 ratio were studied. For both gasifiers, at a given bed temperature, the off-gas compositions were in general agreement with the equilibrium values. Also, for both gasifiers, an experimental CO2 to O2 ratio of about 3 to 1 resulted in the highest syngas grade (%CO + %H2). Both higher off-gas temperatures and syngas grades could be achieved in the plasma-augmented gasifier, in comparison to the conventional gasifier. These differences were attributed to the higher bed temperatures in the plasma-augmented fluidized bed gasifier.
Rickets and vitamin D deficiency in Alaska native children
Authors: Singleton Rosalyn , Lescher Rachel , Gessner Bradford D. , Benson Matthew , Bulkow Lisa , Rosenfeld John , Thomas Timothy , Holman Robert C. , Haberling Dana , Bruce Michael , Bartholomew Michael , Tiesinga James 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRickets and vitamin D deficiency appeared to increase in Alaskan children starting in the 1990s. We evaluated the epidemiology of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in Alaska native (AN) children in 2001–2010.We analyzed 2001–2010 visits with rickets or vitamin D deficiency diagnosis for AN and American Indian children and the general US population aged <10 years. We conducted a case-control study of AN rickets/vitamin D deficient cases and age- and region-matched controls.In AN children, annual rickets-associated hospitalization rate (2.23/100,000 children/year) was higher than the general US rate (1.23; 95% CI 1.08–1.39). Rickets incidence increased with latitude. Rickets/vitamin D deficiency cases were more likely to have malnutrition (OR 38.1; 95% CI 4.9–294), had similar breast-feeding prevalence, and were less likely to have received vitamin D supplementation (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.1–0.87) than controls.Our findings highlight the importance of latitude, malnutrition, and lack of vitamin D supplementation as risk factors for rickets.
Umbilical cord plasma interferon-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and interferon-induced T-cell alpha chemoattractant (ITAC) levels are lower in women with severe preeclampsia
Authors: Chedraui Peter , Solís Emilio J. , Pérez-López Faustino R. , Schatz Fred , Kayisli Umit , Escobar Gustavo S. , Loja-Chango Rita , Hidalgo Luis , Lockwood Charles J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractHigher 1To compare IP-10 and ITAC levels in neonatal cord blood from gestations complicated by severe preeclampsia vs. gestational age-matched controls.Umbilical cord vessels were sampled following delivery of women with severe preeclampsia (n=30) ≥36 weeks to measure plasma IP-10 and ITAC levels and compared to corresponding controls matched for parity as well as maternal and gestational age. Chemokines were measured by specific ELISAs and expressed as pg/mL. Rho Spearman’s coefficients were calculated to establish correlations between chemokine values and various numeric variables.Preeclamptic cases displayed significantly lower median plasma umbilical artery and vein levels of both chemokines when compared to controls (IP-10: 23.4 vs. 31.4 and 2.0 vs. 24.6 pg/mL, P<0.05; and ITAC: 2.0 vs. 13.9 and 11.9 vs. 31.6 pg/mL, P<0.05, in artery and vein, respectively). There was a significant correlation between levels of both chemokines (rIn contrast to elevated 1
Physical Education Undergraduate Students’ Colorblind Racial Ideology and Multicultural Teaching Competence
Authors: Burden, Jr. Joe W. , Hodge Samuel R. , Harrison, Jr. Louis 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze links between racial ideology and multicultural teaching competencies as perceived by undergraduate students in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. Data were collected from physical education students (N = 239) across five PETE programs in the Northeastern region of the United States via a demographic questionnaire and two survey scales: (a) the Colorblind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS; Neville et al., 2000, Construction and initial validation of the color-blind racial attitudes scale (CoBRAS). Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 59–70) and (b) the Multicultural Teaching Competency Scale (MTCS; Spanierman et al., 2010, The multicultural teaching competencies scale (MTCS): Development and initial validation. Urban Education). Pearson product moment correlations indicated a significant negative association between scores on the MTCS’s skills dimension and participants’ colorblind racial attitudes. In addition, MANOVA results indicated significant differences in scores on the MTCS for participants at the different PETE programs in their level of perceived multicultural competence. We discuss implications of the findings and offer recommendations for teacher preparation.
A Multimarket Analysis of Inter-dependent Consumer Response Sensitivities
Authors: Voleti Sudhir 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe investigate variation in aggregate consumer response sensitivities to the price, promotion and distribution elements of the marketing mix across US metropolitan markets. Primarily, three questions of research interest are examined – (i) the nature of the relationship between different aggregate response sensitivities and the implications therein, (ii) the usefulness of aggregate area-wide macroeconomic indicators such as inflation, unemployment and poverty in the context of a marketing problem, and (iii) the usefulness of geo-spatial information under a distribution-free approach. Beer category sales data across 49 major US metropolitan markets are analyzed. We find a pattern of strong inter-dependence among aggregate response sensitivities that indicates the existence of distinct, non-overlapping consumer segments. This enables a characterization of metropolitan market areas at an aggregate level. Ignoring inter-dependence mis-characterizes response sensitivity in two-thirds of the markets sampled. Further, on a standalone basis, neither area-wide economic indicators nor geo-spatial information help the analysis, but in conjunction, they vastly improve model fit (by almost 40%), explained variance (by over twice), parameter significance and consequently, insight.
Ca11InSb9, eine Zintlphase mit diskreten InSb4
9- - Anionen
Authors: Cordier Gerhard , Schäfer Herbert , Stelter Michael 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Ca11InSb9 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Iba2 (No. 45), with a = 1189.4(5) pm, b = 1259.4(5) pm, c = 1673.0(7) pm. In the structure there are different kinds of anions, i.e. isolated Sb3- anions, Sb2
4- dumbbells and isolated InSb4
9- tetrahedra. The new compound belongs to the Zintlphases.