The Glasgow 2014 XX Commonwealth Games and Scottish Independence: “Political Truce” or Political Truth(s)?

This paper explores the political reaction to Lord McConnell’s appeal for a political ‘truce’ in the form of a temporary halt to campaigning by all political parties and organisations involved in the debate regarding the Scottish independence referendum during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (BBC, 2014; McConnell, 2014). Urging both sides of the debate to cease campaigning for the two-week period of the Glasgow 2014 games, the current Labour peer and past First Minister of the Scottish Parliament cited concerns that there are “genuine concerns that the Games, and the image of Scotland, could be damaged by attempts by either side – for and against – to use the Games to promote their cause, or to use the venues for campaigning” (McConnell, 2014). Drawing upon the principles of both a critical discourse and a narrative analysis methodological approach, this paper will scrutinise the nature of the political reactions to McConnell’s proposal from a variety of perspectives on both sides of the independence referendum debate. In particular, the emphasis in the responses from both sides of the debate regarding the apolitical nature of the 2014 Games will be critiqued, drawing upon the arguments of past analyses of sporting mega-events which highlight the potential for political exploitation of such events by the host nations (e.g. Horne, 2007; Grix, 2012; Houlihan and Giulianotti, 2012; Roche, 2006). Furthermore, the findings of academic research on the political implications of hosting the Commonwealth Games will be considered (e.g. Majumdar and Mehta, 2010; Van Der Westhuizen, 2004; Macintosh and Greenhorn, 1992; Majumdar, 2011; Lockstone and Baum, 2010; Macfarlane and Herd, 1986), highlighting a number of precedents which demonstrate the numerous challenges faced in any attempts to the keep the 2014 Games free from political influence.

Digital serious games and simulation games - comparison of two approaches to lean training

In an increasingly competitive and globalized world, companies need effective training methodologies and tools for their employees. However, selecting the most suitable ones is not an easy task. It depends on the requirements of the target group (namely time restrictions), on the specificities of the contents, etc. This is typically the case for training in Lean, the waste elimination manufacturing philosophy. This paper presents and compares two different approaches to lean training methodologies and tools: a simulation game based on a single realistic manufacturing platform, involving production and assembly operations that allows learning by playing; and a digital game that helps understand lean tools. This paper shows that both tools have advantages in terms of trainee motivation and knowledge acquisition. Furthermore, they can be used in a complementary way, reinforcing the acquired knowledge.

Genotoxic effects in occupational exposure to formaldehyde: A study in anatomy and pathology laboratories and formaldehyde-resins production

ABSTRACT – Background: According to the Report on Carcinogens, formaldehyde ranks 25th in the overall U.S. chemical production, with more than 5 million tons produced each year. Given its economic importance and widespread use, many people are exposed to formaldehyde environmentally and/or occupationally. Presently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans and in experimental animals. Manyfold in vitro studies clearly indicated that formaldehyde can induce genotoxic effects in proliferating cultured mammalian cells. Furthermore, some in vivo studies have found changes in epithelial cells and in peripheral blood lymphocytes related to formaldehyde exposure. Methods: A study was carried out in Portugal, using 80 workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde vapours: 30 workers from formaldehyde and formaldehyde-based resins production factory and 50 from 10 pathology and anatomy laboratories. A control group of 85 non-exposed subjects was considered. Exposure assessment was performed by applying simultaneously two techniques of air monitoring: NIOSH Method 2541 and Photo Ionization Detection equipment with simultaneously video recording. Evaluation of genotoxic effects was performed by application of micronucleus test in exfoliated epithelial cells from buccal mucosa and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Results: Time-weighted average concentrations not exceeded the reference value (0.75 ppm) in the two occupational settings studied. Ceiling concentrations, on the other hand, were higher than reference value (0.3 ppm) in both. The frequency of micronucleus in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in epithelial cells was significantly higher in both exposed groups than in the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the frequency of micronucleus in peripheral blood lymphocytes was significantly higher in the laboratories group than in the factory workers (p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between duration of occupational exposure to formaldehyde (years of exposure) and micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes (r = 0.401; p < 0.001) and in epithelial cells (r = 0.209; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The population studied is exposed to high peak concentrations of formaldehyde with a long-term exposure. These two aspects, cumulatively, can be the cause of the observed genotoxic endpoint effects. The association of these cytogenetic effects with formaldehyde exposure gives important information to risk assessment process and may also be used to assess health risks for exposed worker

A Temporal Analysis of Emotions in Girls' Secondary School Physical Education Games and Fitness Classes

Female enthusiasm towards engaging in physical education (PE) significantly decreases with age as it provides females with positive and negative emotional experiences. This study examined emotions within four grade nine female PE soccer and fitness classes (N = 67). Emotional patterns were studied over time and across two units of instruction and in relation to student grades. A mixed-method approach was utilized assessing the state emotions of shame, enjoyment, anxiety, and social physique anxiety (SPA). Results revealed unsatisfactory internal consistency for shame and thus it was removed. Statistical analysis revealed no significant changes in emotions over time, whereas qualitative analysis found that state emotions were inconsistent. Statistical analysis indicated that students in the fitness classes reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and SPA on the final class (p < .01). Qualitative analysis signaled different origins and themes of students‟ emotions. No predictive relationship between emotion and students‟ grade was found.

Thumb-bangers : exploring the cultural bond between video games and heavy metal

« Heavy Metal Generations » is the fourth volume in the series of papers drawn from the 2012 Music, Metal and Politics international conference (http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/publishing/product/heavy-metal-generations/).

Fuzzy Topological Games and Related Topics

The main purpose of study is to extend the concept of the topological game G(K, X) and some other kinds of games into fuzzy topological games and to obtain some results regarding them. Owing to the fact that topological games have plenty of applications in covering properties, it made an attempt to explore some inter relations of games and covering properties in fuzzy topological spaces. Even though the main focus is on fuzzy para-meta compact spaces and closure preserving shading families, some brief sketches regarding fuzzy P-spaces and Shading Dimension is also provided. In a topological game players choose some objects related to the topological structure of a space such as points, closed subsets, open covers etc. More over the condition on a play to be winning for a player may also include topological notions such as closure, convergence, etc. It turns out that topological games are related to the Baire property, Baire spaces, Completeness properties, Convergence properties, Separation properties, Covering and Base properties, Continuous images, Suslin sets, Singular spaces etc.

Games and fun activities.

Su objetivo es ofrecer apoyo práctico a los profesores de primaria con poca experiencia en la enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras. Para ello, se proporciona orientación en la elección, preparación, organización y gestión de juegos, orientados a la práctica de idiomas y para alumnos menores de once años, aunque también pueden servir para niños más pequeños o con necesidades educativas especiales. Las actividades se realizan en grupo, en un ambiente relajado y divertido; la mayoría son sencillas, pues no requieren preparación, aunque algunas más complicadas necesitan planificación y uso de diveros materiales. Al final del libro, unos apéndices con ejemplos e instrucciones en las lenguas francesa y alemana, pueden ser de utilidad para profesores y alumnos.

Primary Grammar box : grammar games and activities for younger learners.

Recurso fotocopiable para enseñar gramática a estudiantes de siete a doce años. Incluye cincuenta y tres juegos y actividades con una duración entre veinte a sesenta minutos, para hacer a los niños divertido el aprendizaje. El texto incluye rompecabezas, juegos y crucigramas. Se divide en cuatro secciones: tres secciones de ampliación para los alumnos agrupados según las edades y el nivel, y la cuarta sección de crucigramas. Muchas de las actividades son apropiadas para la preparación de los alumnos para las pruebas de inglés del Cambridge Young Learners (Cambridge ESOL).

Primary activity box : games and activities for younger learners.

Recurso fotocopiable con actividades para estudiantes de cinco a once años aproximadamente. Incluye canciones, rimas, rompecabezas y juegos para escuchar, hablar, leer y escribir y están diseñadas para adaptarse a una variedad de estilos de enseñanza y aprendizaje, como la adquisición del lenguaje a través del movimiento corporal, además del enfoque visual y auditivo. Las actividades tienen diferente duración, que va desde diez minutos hasta ocupar la mayor parte del tiempo de la lección. Muchas de las actividades son apropiadas para la preparación de los alumnos para las pruebas de inglés del Cambridge Young Learners (Cambridge ESOL).

Primary vocabulary box : word games and activities for younger learners.

El texto incluye juegos y actividades fotocopiables para trabajar el vocabulario durante diez a sesenta minutos, con notas para el profesor para mejorar la práctica del idioma. Está dividido en seis secciones:tres secciones de actividades más complejas agrupadas según los niveles y edades de los alumnos, una sección de listas de vocabulario, una sección de búsqueda de palabras y la sección de crucigramas. Muchas de las actividades son apropiadas para la preparación de los alumnos para las pruebas de inglés del Cambridge Young Learners (Cambridge ESOL).

Primary pronunciation box : pronunciation games and activities for younger learners.

Contiene más de sesenta actividades incluyendo rimas, cantos, poemas, acertijos y juegos para practicar y hacer divertido el aprendizaje de la pronunciación a estudiantes entre siete y doce años. El material es adecuado para los diferentes estilos de aprendizaje y enseñanza según el nivel y la edad. Tiene instrucciones que explican paso a paso lo que el profesor necesita antes de la clase, cómo configurar la actividad e ideas para tareas opcionales. Viene con un CD-DA que contiene audio con dictados, canciones, rimas y cantos. Hay plantillas de juegos para ayudar a adaptar las actividades a las necesidades de los alumnos. Muchas de las actividades son apropiadas para la preparación de los alumnos para las pruebas de inglés del Cambridge Young Learners (Cambridge ESOL).

Games and activities for primary modern foreingn languages.

Incorpora la filosofía del aprendizaje a través del juego. El objetivo del recurso es dar a los profesores de inglés como lengua extranjera en el nivel primario, ciento cincuenta actividades seleccionadas especialmente para animar a los alumnos a utilizar la lengua de una manera divertida. Los juegos y actividades se dividen en cinco secciones. También incluye una sección de vocabulario para cada uno de los idiomas alemán, francés y español.

Practical ideas, games and activities for the primary classroom.

Recurso que reúne más de ciento cincuenta ideas para todos los que están involucrados en la enseñanza primaria. Proporciona estrategias para apoyar a los docentes en la planificación y la preparación de cada actividad. Estas han sido agrupadas por capítulos temáticos, sin embargo, muchas tienen gran potencial transversal. Hay capítulos que tratan de los temas del plan de estudios y otros que se centran en áreas extracurriculares. Además, la estructura permite que las actividades se adapten a diferentes grupos de edad y de habilidades.

Games for grammar practice : a resource book of grammar games and interactive activities.

Este recurso para el profesor se organiza en dieciséis unidades temáticas, con más de cuarenta juegos y actividades para la práctica de la gramática, de forma intensiva e interactiva, con estudiantes de todos los niveles desde principiante hasta avanzado. Incluye páginas para fotocopiar e instrucciones paso a paso para actividades adicionales.

101 games and activities for children with aurism, Asperger's and sensory processing disorders.

Una de las mejores maneras para que los niños con autismo, Asperger, trastornos sensoriales aprendan es a través del juego, sin embargo, los mayores desafíos a los que padres y maestros se enfrentan con estos niños es la manera de hacerlos participar con éxito en el juego. En este manual, se ofrece más de un centenar de juegos que ayudan al niño: hacer contacto visual, mantenerse concentrado, y fortalecer sus habilidades motoras; asociar las palabras con los objetos y mejorar las habilidades lingüísticas y numéricas; aprender a interactuar con otras personas, como tomar turnos, y otras habilidades sociales necesarias para asistir a la escuela preescolar.