Exercises Training Program: Its Effect on Muscle Strength and Activity of Daily Living among Elderly People

Context: Aging is associated with the loss of muscle strength and difficulties in functional activities. Research evidence has identified that regular exercises in the elderly have been shown to enhance gait, balance, and muscle strength, leading to a reduction in seniors’ dependency.Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an exercise training program on muscle strength and activity of daily living among elderly people. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was used in the current study. A purposive sample of 92 male and female elder adults was distributed in three geriatric homes collected over a period of one year. This study was carried out at three geriatric homes in Minia city (Dar Omar Bn El-Khattab, Dar El- Qedesa Hena, and Dar El- Raee El-Saleh), Egypt. Three tools were utilized in collecting the data; Structured Interview Questionnaire; Muscle Strength Scale for upper and lower limbs; Katz and Akpom Scale used to assess activities of daily living. Results: The current study findings revealed that the level of independence of elderly clients at the end of the program became (87.5%) compared to zero at the first observation. There was a highly statistically significant difference in muscle strength in upper limbs between the first and tenth observation as (37.5%) have normal muscle strength compared to none at the first observation. Also, a highly statistically significant difference in lower limb strength between the first and tenth observation (58.75%) has normal muscle strength in the lower limb compared to none at first observation. Conclusions: The study findings concluded that the regular performance of exercises for an extended period enhances the performance of the daily living activity and strengthens body muscles, which improves general health. Recommendations: Active exercise training programs should be recommended by evaluating their effect on the quality of life for the elderly, particularly those at the elderly home

The Effect of Time Pressure, Task Complexity and Litigation Risk on Auditors’ Reliance on Decision Aids

Auditors’ reliance on decision aids has been the subject of much research in the decision-aid literature. Extant literature shows that auditors are somewhat reluctant to rely on decision aids throughout the audit process, despite potential improvement in decision accuracy. The objective of this study is to empirically examine the extent to which auditors’ reliance on decision aids is associated with the perceived levels of time pressure, task complexity and litigation risk—decision aid reliance factors that have been understudied in the auditing literature. In a 2 x 2 x 2 between-subjects experimental design, the independent variables were manipulated as follows: time pressure (high, low), task complexity (high, low) and litigation risk (high, low). The dependent variable reflects the level of reliance on a decision aid. Study results indicate a positive relationship between each of the three factors and decision aid reliance. A three-way interaction was also indicated, suggesting that the joint effect of litigation risk and task complexity depends on the level of perceived time pressure. Study findings hold implications for both practicing auditors and audit researchers, particularly in the increasingly litigious environment in which auditors are immersed

Garhy-Generated Family of Distributions with Application

This paper introduces a new family of continuous distributions called a Garhy generated family of distributions. Some mathematical properties of this family are discussed. The derived properties are hold to any proper distribution in this family. Some special sub-models in the new family are derived. General explicit expressions for the quantile function, ordinary and incomplete moments, generating function and order statistics are obtained. The estimation of the model parameters is discussed by using maximum likelihood and the potentiality of the extended family is illustrated with one application to real data. Keywords: Kumaraswamy distribution; Exponetiated distribution; Moments; quantile function, Maximum likelihood estimation

DETERMINANTES DO INVESTIMENTO DIRETO EXTERNO (IDE) NA AMÉRICA LATINA: UMA PERSPECTIVA INSTITUCIONAL

The purpose of this study is to build and estimate a model to assess the determinants of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Latin America and also for a larger group of emerging market countries. Based on a panel data model for seven Latin American Countries over the period of 1984-2001, we estimate the FDI model. The estimation results indicate that FDI inflows to Latin America are determined by the lagged GDP (gross domestic product), as a proxy of the market size of the host country, by real exchange rate and by institutional variables, which include political risk, freedom and regional integration agreements. Thus, we find that the quality of institutions has positive effects on FDI. The impact of economic reforms, political risk and regional integration is statistically significant, and economically important to adjust the investment strategies of Multinational Companies in the region.

Carnitine deficiency and oxidative stress provoke cardiotoxicity in an ifosfamide-induced Fanconi Syndrome rat model

In addition to hemorrhagic cystitis, Fanconi Syndrome is a serious clinical side effect during ifosfamide (IFO) therapy. Fanconi syndrome is a generalized dysfunction of the proximal tubule which is characterized by excessive urinary excretion of glucose, phosphate, bicarbonate, amino acids and other solutes excreted by this segment of the nephron including L-carnitine. Carnitine is essential cofactor for β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in the myocardium. IFO therapy is associated with increased urinary carnitine excretion with subsequent secondary deficiency of the molecule. Cardiac abnormalities in IFO-treated cancer patients were reported as isolated clinical cases. This study examined whether carnitine deficiency and oxidative stress, secondary to Fanconi Syndrome, provoke IFO-induced cardiomyopathy as well as exploring if carnitine supplementation using Propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) could offer protection against this toxicity. In the current study, an animal model of carnitine deficiency was developed in rats by D-carnitine-mildronate treatment Adult male Wistar albino rats were assigned to one of six treatment groups: the first three groups were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline, D-carnitine (DC, 250 mg/kg/day) combined with mildronate (MD, 200 mg/kg/day) and PLC (250 mg/kg/day), respectively, for 10 successive days. The 4th, 5th and 6th groups were injected with the same doses of normal saline, DC-MD and PLC, respectively for 5 successive days before and 5 days concomitant with IFO (50 mg/kg/day). IFO significantly increased serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary carnitine excretion and clearance, creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), intramitochondrial acetyl-CoA/CoA-SH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in cardiac tissues and significantly decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and total carnitine and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in cardiac tissues. In carnitine-depleted rats, IFO induced dramatic increase in serum creatinine, BUN, CK-MB, LDH, carnitine clearance and intramitochondrial acetyl-CoA/CoA-SH, as well as progressive reduction in total carnitine and ATP in cardiac tissues. Interestingly, PLC supplementation completely reversed the biochemical changes-induced by IFO to the control values. In conclusion, data from the present study suggest that: Carnitine deficiency and oxidative stress, secondary to Fanconi Syndrome, constitute risk factors and should be viewed as mechanisms during development of IFO-induced cardiotoxicity. Carnitine supplementation, using PLC, prevents the development of IFO-induced cardiotoxicity through antioxidant signalling and improving mitochondrial function

Prediction of self compacted rubberized concrete properties using Taguch methods

The effect and optimization of using self-compacting rubberized concrete was investigated by using Taguchi method. Design of experiment was performed via orthogonal array to accommodate four factors with four levels. These factors were the percentage of fine rubber, coarse rubber, fly ash and viscocrete in the concrete mix. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to study the performance characteristics of self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC). Rubberized concrete can be improved using the concrete proportioned as self-compacting concrete. The results indicate that there was a reduction in the strength with increasing rubber content but there was an increase in impact resistance. However, the replacement of 10% of coarse aggregate with coarse rubber gave more strength than that of zero rubber mix by 124% at 90 days. Replacement of 20% of both fine and coarse aggregates with fine and coarse rubber respectively, increased impact resistance by 453% compared to the corresponding SCRC control mix

INTERNACIONALIZAÇÃO DE CURSOS STRICTO SENSO: UMA INVESTIGAÇÃO SOBRE A DISTÂNCIA PSÍQUICA E AS PRÁTICAS ADOTADAS

O processo de internacionalização está cada vez mais presente nos negócios, e isto inclui as Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES). A internacionalização de IES não é recente, no entanto, cada vez mais elas vêm adotando este fenômeno, especialmente os cursos stricto senso. Objetivando verificar se a distância psíquica interfere na escolha dos parceiros envolvidos, realizou-se uma pesquisa exploratória e qualitativa com sete cursos stricto sendo de uma universidade do sul do Brasil. Os resultados revelam que a distância psíquica não é algo que determina a escolha dos países envolvidos nos processos de internacionalização, e sim, a rede de relação dos professores. A rede de relações, já enfatizada como uma forma de superar a distância psíquica por Johanson e Vahlne (2009), foi vista como um fator que realmente ajuda a minimizar a distância psíquica, gerando conhecimento aos cursos. Descobriu-se ainda, que os cursos stricto senso se inserem no mercado internacional sem ter muito conhecimento sobre ele, e aos poucos, vão adquirindo conhecimento, conforme preconizado por Johanson e Vahlne (1977). Percebeu-se ainda, que a falta de congruência entre os envolvidos no processo de internacionalização prejudica as ações dos cursos em internacionalizarem-se