bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of genes encoding IGFBPs, SNARK, CD36, and PECAM1 in the liver of mice treated with chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles
Authors: Minchenko Dmytro O. , Tsymbal D. O. , Yavorovsky O. P. , Solokha N. V. , Minchenko O. H.
Published: June 2017

Objective. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles on the expression level of genes encoding important regulatory factors (IGFBP1, IGFBP2, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, SNARK/NUAK2, CD36, and PECAM1/CD31) in mouse liver for evaluation of possible toxic effects of these nanoparticles.

Methods. Male mice received 20 mg chromium disilicide nanoparticles (45 nm) and titanium nitride nanoparticles (20 nm) with food every working day for 2 months. The expression of IGFBP1, IGFBP2, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, SNARK, CD36, and PECAM1 genes in mouse liver was studied by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results. Treatment of mice with chromium disilicide nanoparticles led to down-regulation of the expression of IGFBP2, IGFBP5, PECAM1, and SNARK genes in the liver in comparison with control mice, with more prominent changes for SNARK gene. At the same time, the expression of IGFBP3 and CD36 genes was increased in mouse liver upon treatment with chromium disilicide nanoparticles. We have also shown that treatment with titanium nitride nanoparticles resulted in down-regulation of the expression of IGFBP2 and SNARK genes in the liver with more prominent changes for SNARK gene. At the same time, the expression of IGFBP3, IGFBP4, and CD36 genes was increased in the liver of mice treated with titanium nitride nanoparticles. Furthermore, the effect of chromium disilicide nanoparticles on IGFBP2 and CD36 genes expression was significantly stronger as compared to titanium nitride nanoparticles.

Conclusions. The results of this study demonstrate that chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles have variable effects on the expression of IGFBP2, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, SNARK, CD36, and PECAM1 genes in mouse liver, which may reflect the genotoxic activities of the studied nanoparticles.
Premature ovarian failure could be an alarming sign of polyglandular autoimmune dysfunction
Authors: Saif Aasem , Assem M.
Published: June 2017

A 31-year-old lady, diagnosed to have premature ovarian failure in the gynecology clinic, was referred for endocrine assessment because of an abnormal thyroid function test. Clinical examination revealed hypotension, and fungal skin infection under her atrophic breasts. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was very high. Assessment of the suprarenal function revealed evidence of Addison’s disease. Polyglandular autoimmune dysfunction was diagnosed. She was treated with prednisone, fludrocortisone, and levothyroxine with significant improvement of her general condition and blood pressure.
The role of thyrostimulin and its potential clinical significance
Authors: Karponis Dimitrios , Ananth S.
Published: June 2017

Thyrostimulin is a glycoprotein heterodimer of GPA2 and GPB5, first described in 2002. It is involved in the physiological function of several tissues. Moreover, evidence points towards the ability of thyrostimulin’s individual monomers to induce a biological effect, which could denote the circulatory/systemic effects of the molecule when found in higher concentrations. From the evolutionary point of view, thyrostimulin shares a binding epitope with the thyroid-stimulating hormone for the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor, whilst possessing affinity for another unique binding site on the same receptor. Although thyrostimulin can be involved in the hypothalamicpituitary- thyroid axis, its presence in various tissues in an eclectic array of different species renders it multifunctional. From weight loss via increasing metabolic rate to progression of cancer in human ovaries, it is certainly not a signaling molecule to overlook. Furthermore, thyrostimulin has been implicated in bone metabolism, acute illness, and reproductive function. In summary, to our knowledge, this is the first review dealing with the physiological role of thyrostimulin and its potential applications in the clinical practice.
Polypropylene/basalt thick film composites: structural, mechanical and dielectric properties
Authors: Alkan Ümit , Karabul Yaşar , Bulgurcuoğlu Ayşe Evrim , Kılıç Mehmet , Özdemir Zeynep Güven , İçelli Orhan
Published: June 2017

In this work, polypropylene/volcanic basalt rock (PP/VBR) thick film composites with different VBR powder mass ratio varying from 0.5 wt.% to 20.0 wt.% were prepared by using the hot press technique. The effects of VBR powder doping on mechanical, structural and dielectric properties of PP were investigated by stress-strain measurements, Fourier transform infrared analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and dielectric spectroscopy methods. The highest tensile strength, percentage strain and energy at break were achieved for 0.5 wt.% VBR powder doped PP composite. According to the stress-percentage strain curves of the samples, it was observed that 0.5 wt.% VBR powder doping increases the mechanical performance of PP polymer. In addition, regardless of the doping concentration level of basalt powder, the real part of complex dielectric function (ε′) of all PP composites display approximately frequency independent behavior between 100 Hz and 1 MHz. On the other hand, 0.5 wt.% VBR powder doped PP composite has also the lowest dielectric constant at the vicinity of 2.7 between 100 Hz and 1 MHz. The composite also has considerably low dielectric loss which has a crucial importance for technological applications. For these reasons, PP/0.5 wt.% VBR composite with the highest tensile strength can be considered as a suitable candidate for microelectronic devices. Furthermore, the alternative current conductivity mechanism was determined as nearly constant loss due to approximately constant dielectric loss between 10 Hz and 1 MHz.
Long-term changes in atmospheric depositions in Slovakia
Authors: Krupová Danica , Bošeľa Michal , Pavlenda Pavel , Tóthová Slávka
Published: June 2017

The aim of this paper was to analyse temporal changes in chemism of atmospheric deposition in Slovakia. Two kinds of deposition, bulk and throughfall were considered and analysed for the period of 1996-2010. Data acquired from permanent monitoring plots (PMP) of Level II were used for this purpose. These plots were established as a part of the ICP Forests Programme. The changes in the composition of deposition were identified for the spruce and beech plots. The results were compared among three spruce plots, two beech plots and one mixed spruce-beech-fir plot. Precipitation pH was higher on the beech than on the spruce plots and during the spotted period increased on both spruce and beech plots. Depositions of cations decreased significantly on the spruce and beech plots in bulk deposition for all elements except for calcium. The significant decline of sulphur and ammonium nitrogen was found on both spruce and beech plots, but the highest decrease of sulphur deposition was found in throughfall precipitation (R2 = 0.75). The amount of nitrate nitrogen did not change during the study period.
Production of biodiesel from Vernicia montana Lour. oil using a co-solvent method and the subsequent evaluation of its stability during storage
Authors: Le Hanh Ngoc Thi , Imamura Kiyoshi , Furuta Masakazu , Van Boi Luu , Maeda Yasuaki
Published: June 2017

The costs associated with the production of biodiesel fuel (BDF) are directly affected by the nature of the feedstock material and the methods used during the production process. In Southeast Asia, many non-edible oils are used to produce BDFs, as exemplified by the recent use of the non-edible oil derived fromVernicia montanaLour. in Laos and Vietnam for the production of BDF. In this work, we developed an improved procedure for the production of BDF fromVernicia montanaoil consisting of 80.3%±0.5% α-eleostearic acid moiety (C18:3) using a co-solvent method. Furthermore, the stability of the BDF was evaluated based on its iodine value and unsaturated ester content. The optimized production conditions were determined to be as follows: methanol/oil molar ratio of 6:1, 1% (wt/wt) KOH, 20% (wt/wt) acetone as a co-solvent, and a reaction temperature of 40°C. Under these conditions, we achieved a BDF conversion efficiency of 99%±0.3% within 30 min of initiating the transesterification process. Notably, the BDF produced fromVernicia montanaoil showed good stability to air at temperatures ≤30°C for 1 month, showing similar stability properties to the BDF produced from rapeseed oil.
High-solids semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of corn silage in bag-type digester
Authors: Rusín Jiří , Kašáková Kateřina , Chamrádová Kateřina
Published: June 2017

The aim of this paper is to discuss the usability of a newly designed partially stirred horizontal anaerobic bioreactor made from triple layer bag material Sioen B6070 and heated by circulating hot air. For verification of the possibility of processing typical agricultural fibrous substrate at relatively high solids content in this type of reactor, the semi-continuous mesophilic (40±3°C) anaerobic digestion of corn silage of KWS Atletico cultivar was conducted. The reactor with a total volume of 0.7 m3provided 0.5 m3working volume. Liquid slurry from the 1st stage of the agricultural biogas station Pustejov II was used as inoculum. The silage dosage was performed so that the reactor reached high methane production intensity at low volumetric production of the digestate for 120 days. The average organic loading reached 4.27 kgVSm−3d−1while the average hydraulic retention time decreased to 85 days. The dry biogas production intensity was 3.42 mN3m−3d−1with an average methane content of 52.5 vol%. The specific methane production from corn silage was 0.419 mN3kgVS−1. At the end of the test, the digestate contained 13–14 wt% of total solids (TS) and 82–85 wt% of volatile solids in TS. The bag-type digester with hot air heating can be used by small farmers where there is no viable biogas cogeneration.
An efficient and catalyst-free synthesis of N-arylidene-2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-ylamine derivatives via Strecker reaction under controlled microwave heating
Authors: Abdel Hameed Afaf Mohamed , Moustafa Moustafa Sherief , Al-Mousawi Saleh Mohammed , Awed Reham R. , Sadek Kamal Usef
Published: June 2017

An efficient one-pot multicomponent reaction of 2-aminopyridine with aromatic aldehydes and either benzoyl cyanide or cyanamide in pyridine under controlled microwave heating afforded N-aryldene-2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]-pyridine-3-ylamine derivatives. The reaction is catalyst free and is of high atom economy.
Perspectives Regarding the Prefect Institution in Romania
Authors: Dincă Dragoş
Published: June 2017

The article highlights the key moments during the evolution of the prefect institution in Romania and it analyses the recent proposals of reorganization that aim to transform the prefect statute from high ranked civil servant to dignitary.

In addition, the principle of deconcentration is detailed and a scenario of reforming the prefect institution is proposed, by analyzing the applicability of this principle within the administrative practice of Romania.

The article analyzes the duties of the prefect institution, the possibility of transferring them to other entities and the appropriateness of maintaining this institution.
Smart Cities: Transport Challenges of the Macedonian Capital City
Authors: Jovanovska Mimoza Bogdanoska , Nechoska Daniela Koltovska
Published: June 2017

Smart City as a concept presupposes using new information and communication technologies in order to improve the quality of life within a particular geographic area. There are six different pillars in the frame of this concept and their one purpose is to achieve better efficiency of city operations. Smart mobility and transport are some of them. The efforts of traditional cities to become smart are not easily and quickly achievable. Numerous traffic solutions have already been implemented in different cities all over the world that make the ‘jump’ from traditional city to smart city. This paper provides an overview of the ‘smart’ transport solutions that have been implemented in the city of Skopje as a traditional city, which is on its way to becoming a smart city.

The presented smart solutions are related to traffic management and control area and are aimed at alleviating traffic problems. The focus is on non-motorized solutions, e-vehicles, adaptive traffic control systems and public transport solutions. Several aims have been set in this paper – to promote the achievements of the municipality of Skopje aimed at transforming Skopje into a smart city in a transport area; to present its functionality, and to point out the disadvantages related to law regulations and the interconnection of all stakeholders involved. Finally, the idea is to provide a starting point for future research and to recommend future steps in this direction in the city of Skopje.
Functional imaging of brown adipose tissue in human
Authors: El Hadi Hamza , Vettor Roberto , Rossato Marco
Published: June 2017

Obesity has become a major public health challenge and an increasing trend is seen in its prevalence worldwide. It is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat as a result of an energy imbalance leading to caloric overload. Since the discovery of functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans, with energy dissipating properties, this thermogenic tissue has thus emerged as an attractive therapeutic target to combat obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders. The advancements in imaging modalities to evaluate organ-specific metabolism in humans is substantially contributing to understand the physiological role of BAT. This review presents an overview of the different imaging approaches implied in BAT assessment, with a special emphasis on adult human BAT. In this context, we also attempted to summarize the developmental origins and physiology of BAT.
The Historian’s Silences: What Livy Did Not Know—Or Chose Not to Tell
Authors: Ridley Ronald T.
Published: June 2017

The fragments of Livy’s annalistic predecessors may be meagre, but they allow us to detect variant traditions which he does not include. Polybios, Tacitus and the emperor Claudius also record such variants on early Roman history. The same is true of the antiquarians Varro, Cincius, Verrius Flaccus, Gellius and Festus. These variants are examined to suggest what Livy might have rejected and why.
clubber: removing the bioinformatics bottleneck in big data analyses
Authors: Miller Maximilian , Zhu Chengsheng , Bromberg Yana
Published: June 2017

With the advent of modern day high-throughput technologies, the bottleneck in biological discovery has shifted from the cost of doing experiments to that of analyzing results. clubber is our automated cluster-load balancing system developed for optimizing these “big data” analyses. Its plug-and-play framework encourages re-use of existing solutions for bioinformatics problems. clubber’s goals are to reduce computation times and to facilitate use of cluster computing. The first goal is achieved by automating the balance of parallel submissions across available high performance computing (HPC) resources. Notably, the latter can be added on demand, including cloud-based resources, and/or featuring heterogeneous environments. The second goal of making HPCs user-friendly is facilitated by an interactive web interface and a RESTful API, allowing for job monitoring and result retrieval. We used clubber to speed up our pipeline for annotating molecular functionality of metagenomes. Here, we analyzed the Deepwater Horizon oil-spill study data to quantitatively show that the beach sands have not yet entirely recovered. Further, our analysis of the CAMI-challenge data revealed that microbiome taxonomic shifts do not necessarily correlate with functional shifts. These examples (21 metagenomes processed in 172 min) clearly illustrate the importance of clubber in the everyday computational biology environment.
Total Survey Error and Respondent Driven Sampling: Focus on Nonresponse and Measurement Errors in the Recruitment Process and the Network Size Reports and Implications for Inferences
Authors: Lee Sunghee , Suzer-Gurtekin Tuba , Wagner James , Valliant Richard
Published: June 2017

This study attempted to integrate key assumptions in Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) into the Total Survey Error (TSE) perspectives and examine TSE as a new framework for a systematic assessment of RDS errors. Using two publicly available data sets on HIV-at-risk persons, nonresponse error in the RDS recruitment process and measurement error in network size reports were examined. On nonresponse, the ascertained partial nonresponse rate was high, and a substantial proportion of recruitment chains died early. Moreover, nonresponse occurred systematically: recruiters with lower income and higher health risks generated more recruits; and peers of closer relationships were more likely to accept recruitment coupons. This suggests a lack of randomness in the recruitment process, also shown through sizable intra-chain correlation. Self-reported network sizes suggested measurement error, given their wide dispersion and unreasonable reports. This measurement error has further implications for the current RDS estimators, which use network sizes as an adjustment factor on the assumption of a positive relationship between network sizes and selection probabilities in recruitment. The adjustment resulted in nontrivial unequal weighting effects and changed estimates in directions that were difficult to explain and, at times, illogical. Moreover, recruiters’ network size played no role in actual recruitment. TSE may serve as a tool for evaluating errors in RDS, which further informs study design decisions and inference approaches.
Comparison of 2010 Census Nonresponse Follow-Up Proxy Responses with Administrative Records Using Census Coverage Measurement Results
Authors: Mulry Mary H. , Keller Andrew D.
Published: June 2017

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently conducting research on ways to use administrative records to reduce the cost and improve the quality of the 2020 Census Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) at addresses that do not self-respond electronically or by mail. Previously, when a NRFU enumerator was unable to contact residents at an address, he/she found a knowledgeable person, such as a neighbor or apartment manager, who could provide the census information for the residents. This was called a proxy response. The Census Bureau’s recent advances in merging federal and third-party databases raise the question: Are proxy responses for NRFU addresses more accurate than the administrative records available for the housing unit? Our study attempts to answer this question by comparing the quality of proxy responses and the administrative records for those housing units in the same timeframe using the results of 2010 Census Coverage Measurement (CCM) Program. The assessment of the quality of the proxy responses and the administrative records in the CCM sample of block clusters takes advantage of the extensive fieldwork, processing, and clerical matching conducted for the CCM.
Identification of infectious bursal disease virus with atypical VP2 amino acid profile in Latvia
Authors: Pikuła Anna , Domańska-Blicharz Katarzyna , Cepulis Rytis , Śmietanka Krzysztof
Published: June 2017

Introduction: Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a causative agent of immunosuppressive disorder resulting in significant losses to the world poultry industry. This study describes the molecular characterisation of an atypical IBDV from a field outbreak that occurred in vaccinated chicken flocks in Latvia in 2011.

Material and Methods: Ten bursae of Fabricius from each flock were collected for laboratory examination. Virus isolation was performed in embryonated eggs and CEF culture. The RT-PCR aimed at hypervariable domain of VP2 gene combined with sequencing was performed for detection and identification of IBDV.

Results: The molecular examinations confirmed the IBDV infection. The analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed that the strain possessed four amino acids at VP2 protein (222A, 256I, 294I, and 299S), indicating a genetic relatedness to a very virulent IBDV. However, some unique or rare amino acid substitutions (219L, 220F, 254D, 279N, and 280T) were also detected.

Conclusion: The obtained results demonstrate the occurrence of IBDV with a high mutation rate within the hypervariable domain of VP2 peptide, and highlight the necessity of implementation of IBDV surveillance in Eastern European poultry industry to determine whether this strain is an exception or a new wave of IBDV with new genetic features emerged in the field.
Evaluation of oxidative stress in sheep infected with Psoroptes ovis using total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and malondialdehyde level
Authors: Aktas Mustafa Sinan , Kandemir Fatih Mehmet , Kirbas Akin , Hanedan Basak , Aydin Mehmet Akif
Published: June 2017

Introduction: The study aimed at evaluating oxidative stress using malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) markers in sheep naturally infected with Psoroptes ovis (Acari).

Material and Methods: The study was performed on 40 sheep divided into two equal groups: a healthy group (group I) and a group naturally infected with Psoroptes ovis (group II). The sera were obtained by centrifuging blood samples collected from the vena jugularis and serum MDA level changes in the samples were measured spectrophotometrically. Commercially available test kits were used for the measurement of TAC and TOS levels. The percentage ratio of TOS level to TAC level was accepted as OSI.

Results: The serum malondialdehyde, total oxidant status levels, and oxidative stress index increased significantly (P < 0.01) in group II, while the serum total antioxidant capacity levels decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in this group. Negative correlations between total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status and total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde, and a positive correlation between total oxidant status and malondialdehyde were found in infected sheep.

Conclusion: The obtained results indicated the relationship between oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and Psoroptes ovis infection in sheep. Their MDA, TAC, TOS, and OSI markers may be used to determine the oxidative stress in natural infections with Psoroptes ovis.
Expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in the mammary lymph nodes of cows with subclinical mastitis
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Yang Wei , Xu Chuang
Published: June 2017

Introduction: Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) is a member of Ig superfamily. The aim of this study was to prepare highly specific polyclonal antibodies against bovine VCAM-1 and to evaluate the expression of VCAM-1 in the mammary lymph nodes of cows with subclinical mastitis.

Material and Methods: The VCAM-1 gene was cloned from bovine Peyer’s patches and inserted into the pGEX-4T-1 and pET-28a vectors. The recombinant plasmids pGEX-4T-1/VCAM-1 and pET-28a/VCAM-1 were transferred into Escherichia coli BL21 and the recombinant strains were induced by isopropyl-D-thiogalactoside to produce fusion proteins tagged with polyhistidine (His) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), respectively. The expressed fusion proteins His-VCAM-1 and GST-VCAM-1 were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. His-VCAM-1 protein was used as an antigen to immunise Wistar rats and polyclonal antibody serum against VCAM-1 was obtained.

Results: The serum titre tested by indirect ELISA was 128,000 using GST-VCAM-1 as the well coating antigen. Western blots indicated that the antibody recognised recombinant VCAM-1 protein as well as endogenous VCAM-1. In addition, using qPCR and Western blot, VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression levels were measured in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis. It was demonstrated that VCAM-1 levels in the mammary lymph nodes of the cows were significantly higher than those from healthy controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results are to our knowledge the first report that VCAM-1 expression in the mammary lymph nodes is elevated in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis.
Effect of pregnancy and stage of lactation on energy processes in isolated blood cells of dairy cows
Authors: Dębski Bogdan , Nowicki Tadeusz , Zalewski Wojciech , Bartoszewicz Agnieszka , Twardoń Jan
Published: June 2017

Introduction: The transition period is the most challenging time for dairy cattle, which is characterised not only by negative energy balance but also by fatty tissue mobilisation.

Material and Methods: The efficiency of energy pathways, β-oxidation in WBC and glycolysis in RBC (based on deoxyglucose transmembrane transport) were estimated. Insulin in blood plasma was determined using ELISA.

Results: After calving and up to one month after delivery, a significant drop in blood plasma level was noticed, simultaneously with a rise in β-oxidation from 18.93 ±3.64 to 30.32 ±5.28 pmol/min/mg protein in WBC. A strong negative correlation between these two indices (r = −0.68) was found. During the period of transition to lactation an increase in glucose cross-membrane transportation from 41.44 ±4.92 to 50.49 ±6.41 μmol/h/g Hb was observed. A strong positive correlation between glucose transportation in RBC and β-oxidation in WBC (r = 0.71) was noticed. These data are in agreement with results of studies on dairy cows using liver slices from dairy cows in late pregnancy and different stages of lactation, in which changes in gene expression were analysed.

Conclusion: It seems that measuring fatty acids oxidation and glycolysis using isolated blood cells may be an adequate and relatively simple method for energy state analysis to estimate the state of dairy cow metabolism and animal health.
Comparison of clinical, biomechanical, and histopathological effects of various suture techniques on repair of tendon rupture by using autograft
Authors: Ermutlu Celal Şahin , Baran Vedat
Published: June 2017

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of four different suture techniques in the treatment of experimentally modelled tendon injuries with tissue loss with autograft and grafting applications in rabbits.

Material and Methods: The study was performed on 30 male mature (2-year-old) New Zealand rabbits with mean body weight of 3.1 kg, divided into three equal groups. A graft measuring 1 cm in length was collected from the m. tibialis cranialis of each rabbit under general anaesthesia. The graft collected from the right tendon was transplanted into the left tendon, and the graft from the left tendon was transplanted into the right tendon. In all groups, a simple interrupted suture was placed on the left tendon as control, a Bunnell-Mayer suture was placed on the right tendon in group I, a Locking-Loop suture in group II, and a Horizontal U suture in group III. Both hindlimbs were bandaged for four weeks. The tendons were assessed biomechanically and histopathologically.

Results: According to the results of the tensile testing, the maximum durability of the techniques ranked as follows: Bunnell-Mayer, Horizontal U, Locking-Loop, and control groups.

Conclusion: The use of autografts was a good alternative for the treatment of tendon ruptures with tissue loss. Furthermore, even though there were no clinical or histopathological differences, the suture technique can be chosen based on the results of the tensile test.
The Problems of Planning a Timetable for Transport by Road in Terms of Theft Protection
Authors: Gnap Jozef , Rovňaníková Dominika , Rakovanová Radmila , Dvoryadkina Elena B.
Published: June 2017

In each transport, it is necessary to take into account the risks that may occur during transport. Most of these risks are associated with criminal activity, whether on a shipment, the driver himself or the vehicles used in potentially hazardous segments. The aim is to design a planning and verification process on a selected route or routes within Europe. The proposed transport route starts with load in the Kechnec Industrial Park and continues with two unloadings in Teplička nad Váhom in the Kia Motors Slovakia and in the town of Wolfsburg in the Volkswagen The transport route was designed in three alternatives by internet application Map&Guide.
Research on Selected Positive Externalities in Road Transport
Authors: Konečný Vladimír , Petro František , Berežný Róbert , Mikušková Miriama
Published: June 2017

Scientific article deals with the characteristics of positive externalities and identifying positive externalities of road transport. In the analysis are the processed data on economic indicators of the Slovak Republic and data for individual regions of the Slovak Republic. Based on the analysis were selected positive externalities of road transport. At present, there is insufficient attention to the positive externalities of the transportation, and despite the fact that road transport and road infrastructure has undeniable positive impact on social development and economic growth of the country.
Model of Knowledge Management Factors and their Impact on the Organizations’ Success
Authors: Kozjek Domen , Ovsenik Marija
Published: June 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to identify the factors of knowledge which have a significant impact on the outcome (measured as value added per employee) of the company. The existence, long-term survival, profitability, etc. of the company depends on the competitiveness of the products and services (regardless of industry or economic branch). Transformation of “raw materials” into competitive products is possible only with the knowledge of employees. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the factors of knowledge which can influence a positive result of the company.

Methodology: We reviewed the relevant literature in the field of knowledge management. On this basis, we summarized the factors of knowledge. We performed a survey among the 69 largest Slovenian commercial companies (public and banking sectors excluded). Based on the research, we developed a regression model of value added per employee in euros.

Results: The study showed that, of all factors studied, motivation in the form of assessing employees’ performance has the largest positive correlation with the value added per employee. Furthemore, training for the performance, the use of technological tools and organizational climate can bring significant value added per employee. The most important factor that affects the value added per employee is the industry branch which the company deals with. The factors which follow are the simplicity of using IT tools and the example that the managers give to the employees.

Conclusion: A model of knowledge management factors helps to identify which knowledge factors should be given priority to for increasing the company’s performance. The model also considers the industry in which the company operates.
Perceived Gender Equality in Managerial Positions in Organizations
Authors: Tominc Polona , Šebjan Urban , Širec Karin
Published: June 2017

Background and Purpose: This research aims to achieve two main objectives: to investigate differences between male and female managers regarding the perceived gender equality in organizations and to analyze the gender differences in relationships among the perceived gender equality, the perceived satisfaction with employment position and career, the perceived satisfaction with work, and the perceived work-family conflict.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The sample of research includes 82 managers in Slovenian organizations. In first stage, we analyzed with t-test differences between male and female regarding perceived gender equality in decision-making positions. In the next step we developed the conceptual models and used structural equational modeling (SEM), and analyzed differences between constructs in two conceptual models.

Results: The research results show that female managers perceive gender equality in organizations in general to be significantly lower than males; furthermore, perceived gender equality is positively related to the perceived satisfaction with employment position and career as well as to the perceived satisfaction with work, but both relationships are significantly stronger for female managers. On the other hand female managers seems to cope more efficiently with the perceived work-family conflict since it has significantly different impact on female managers’ perceived satisfaction with work, as compared to the male managers.

Conclusion: To achieve more gender equality within organizations and a reduction of the gender gap, the legislative initiatives cannot be successful without appropriate corporate strategy sets, which presents the framework for doing business and determines the internal working culture. The findings offer several policy, as well as business practice-oriented implications.
Mobbing in a Non-Profit Organisation
Authors: Kovacic Andrej , Podgornik Nevenka , Pristov Zorica , Raspor Andrej
Published: June 2017

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to analyse mobbing in a large, non-profit, state-owned organization in order to find out to what extent mobbing is present and in what way it takes place. In addition, the purpose of the research is to analyse whether the extent of mobbing is connected to employee’s age, gender and position.

Methodology: In this quantitative research, a total of 355 opinions were collected using a random selection procedure within the selected large size, state-owned organization (between 1000 and 2000 employees). The results of the employees’ experiences of mobbing were statistically analysed and tested.

Results: Similar to other researches, a third of all respondents stated they have been affected by mobbing in the last three years. Additionally, we found out that younger employees are not affected more than older. Interestingly, there are also no gender differences as both genders seem to be affected similarly. Also, a management position does not mean a person is less exposed to mobbing. Finally, we confirmed that the most frequent type of mobbing is vertical mobbing (carried out by an employer / manager on employees or vice versa).

Originality / value: The study fills a current gap in the research and understanding of mobbing in non-profit organizations in Slovenia as it presents the magnitude of mobbing experiences as well as the relations between the attackers and victims. The study also provides a good starting point for further research on this sensitive subject.

Research limitations / conclusions: Since the research was limited to one non-profit organization, it makes sense to explore the phenomenon in different individual profit companies as well as non-profit organisations in order to create plans for preventing and limiting mobbing.
Neuroanatomical pathways underlying the effects of hypothalamo-hypophysial-adrenal hormones on exploratory activity
Authors: Lalonde Robert , Strazielle Catherine
Published: June 2017

When injected via the intracerebroventricular route, corticosterone-releasing hormone (CRH) reduced exploration in the elevated plus-maze, the center region of the open-field, and the large chamber in the defensive withdrawal test. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the elevated plus-maze also occurred when infused in the basolateral amygdala, ventral hippocampus, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens, periaqueductal grey, and medial frontal cortex. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the defensive withdrawal test was reproduced when injected in the locus coeruleus, while the amygdala, hippocampus, lateral septum, nucleus accumbens, and lateral globus pallidus contribute to center zone exploration in the open-field. In addition to elevated plus-maze and open-field tests, the amygdala appears as a target region for CRH-mediated anxiety in the elevated T-maze. Thus, the amygdala is the principal brain region identified with these three tests, and further research must identify the neural circuits underlying this form of anxiety.
Who will advise us?
Authors: Thalos Mariam
Published: June 2017

This essay argues that, in place of the present hit-and-miss system of specialist advisement (a system of scientific experts performing case-by-case studies at numerous regulatory agencies, the US Office of Technology Assessment, for example), we require a corps of
Amerikanische Russlandpolitik, die Souveränität der Ukraine und der Atomwaffensperrvertrag: Ein Dreiecksverhältnis mit weitreichenden Konsequenzen
Authors: Budjeryn Mariana , Umland Andreas
Published: June 2017

Das Memorandum über Sicherheitszusagen für die Ukraine, das im Dezember 1994 auf dem KSZE-Gipfeltreffen in Budapest unterzeichnet wurde, schuf eine Verbindung zwischen dem Nuklearen Nichtverbreitungsvertrag (NVV) von 1968 sowie der ukrainischen politischen Souveränität und territorialen Integrität. Kiew hatte sich erst dann bereit erklärt, sein damals in der Welt drittgrößtes Atomwaffenarsenal abzubauen, nachdem die Vereinigten Staaten, Großbritannien und Russland, als die Depositarstaaten des NVV, im Budapester Memorandum sowie Frankreich und China in separaten Regierungsdeklarationen der Ukraine ihren Respekt für ihre Unabhängigkeit und Grenzen versichert hatten. Dies ist einer der Gründe, weshalb mögliche Pläne der Trump-Administration für einen Neustart der Beziehungen zum Kreml weder eine explizite noch implizite Aufweichung der US-amerikanischen Position gegenüber der fortgesetzten russischen Bekämpfung des ukrainischen Staates einschließen sollte.
Das Ende einer Dreiecksbeziehung: wehrtechnische Zusammenarbeit Chinas, Russlands und der Ukraine im Schatten der Krim-Krise
Authors: Kirchberger Sarah
Published: June 2017

Aufgrund eines US/EU-Waffenembargos ist China seit 1989 vom Handel mit den führenden Waffenproduzenten – mit Ausnahme Russlands und der Ukraine – ausgeschlossen. Eine bis Anfang 2014 bestehende militärisch-industrielle Symbiose zwischen der Ukraine und Russland wiederum kam als Folge der russischen Besetzung der Krim zu einem abrupten Ende. Dieser plötzliche Abbruch sämtlicher verteidigungsindustrieller Beziehungen bietet der Forschung nun die unerwartete Chance, die Besonderheiten transnationaler Waffenproduktion und deren strategische Implikationen unter Krisenbedingungen zu untersuchen. China wird wahrscheinlich von der neuen Situation profitieren können, während die westlichen Sanktionen gegen China und gegen Russland gegenwärtig Anreize für beide Staaten schaffen, ihre bilaterale strategische Zusammenarbeit weiter zu vertiefen.
Realistisch in den Osten blicken: Belarus nach der Ukraine-Krise und die Neuausrichtung der westlichen Politik
Authors: Helbig Robert
Published: June 2017

Kurzfassung:

Belarus ist an der europäischen Integration nicht ernsthaft interessiert. Es hat sich in der Vergangenheit der EU nur zugewandt, um Druck auf die russische Regierung zu erzeugen. Nicht einmal die Ukraine-Krise hat die außenpolitische Situation des Landes grundlegend geändert, das strukturell von Russland abhängig geblieben ist. Allerdings konnte Präsident Aljaksandr Lukaschenka seine Macht festigen und die aktuelle Wirtschaftskrise eröffnet ihm die Chance, das Land ökonomisch zu diversifizieren. Lukaschenkas gewonnenes Selbstvertrauen und der dringende Bedarf an wirtschaftlicher Umstrukturierung haben die Tür für den Westen geöffnet, seine Belarus-Politik neu aufzustellen und dessen Streben nach strategischer Diversifizierung zu unterstützen, um von Russland größere Unabhängigkeit zu erlangen.
Apparatus and methods for using a rotating ring–disk electrode with potentiodynamic control of both working electrodes
Authors: Vesztergom Soma , Kovács Noémi , Ujvári Mária , Láng Gyözö G.
Published: June 2017

When studying electrochemical processes, one of the most widely used methods of determining the reaction pathway is an
electrochemical assay of products using a rotating ring–disk electrode (RRDE). An RRDE tip consists of two electron
conducting parts: a centrally located disk and a ring around it. When brought into contact with an electrolyte solution,
the disk and the ring both form electrodes, the potentials of which can be independently controlled by a bi-potentiostat.
When the tip is rotated, reactants from the solution arrive at the disk where they undergo an electrode reaction
(oxidation or reduction) at a given rate, depending on the rotation speed. The formed products leave the disk surface and
due to forced convection make their way towards the ring electrode where they can undergo another electrode reaction and
can thus be detected. Normally, one applies potentiostatic control to at least one of the electrodes when carrying out an
RRDE experiment; albeit the simultaneous potentiodynamic perturbation of the electrodes offers an increased applicability
range. This paper presents the construction of a measuring system capable for the “bi-potentiodynamic” perturbation of
two working electrodes, and demonstrates the use of such methods in case of a few chosen example systems.
The Second Cretaceous Gall Midge Genus of the Tribe Diallactiini (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from the Late Cretaceous Burmese Amber
Authors: Perkovsky E. E. , Fedotova Z. A.
Published: June 2017

Ganseriella pankowskiorum Fedotova et Perkovsky, gen. et sp. n. has been described from the Late Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new genus is closely related to the genus Chastomera Skuse, 1888 stat. resurr., which was considered a synonym of Haplusia Karsch, 1877. Earlier, only Winnertzia burmitica (Cockerell) (Winnertziini) was described from Burmese amber. The new species is the first described Cretaceous representative of the tribe Diallactiini from Asia. Three species of fossil Diallactiini were described earlier: Cretohaplusia ortunoi Arillo et Nel, Palaeocolpodia eocenica Meunier and Diallactia bifurcata (Fedotova, 2004). The genera and species compositions of Cretaceous gall midges and fossil Diallactiini are reviewed.
A Redescription of Acanthocreagris iranica (Pseudoscorpiones, Neobisiidae) Inhabiting Soil Under Oak Trees in Zagros Forest, Western Iran
Authors: Nassirkhani M. , Mirab-Balou M. , Bazgir M. , Zamani M.
Published: June 2017

During study on soil mesofauna in Choqa Sabz Forest and Dalab Protected Area in Ilam Province (western Iran), the following pseudoscorpions belonging to four families were collected and identified: Chthonius (Chthonius) shelkovnikovi Redikorzev, 1930, Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) negarinae Nassirkhani and Vafai, 2015, Paramenthus nanus Mahnert, 2007, Cardiolpium asiaticum (Dashdamirov, 1990), and Acanthocreagris iranica Beier, in Mahnert 1976. All of these species are new to the fauna of western Iran. In this survey, the adults of A. iranica collected from Ilam and Lorestan Provinces are redescribed and figured. Additionally, its tritonymph and deutonymph are briefly described.
Peculiarities of Population Structure and Hybridization of the Genus Carassius (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) in Polyssia (Northern Ukraine)
Authors: Mezhzherin S. V. , Kokodiy S. V. , Pukhtaevitch P. P. , Kulish A. V.
Published: June 2017

Study of population structure of crucian carps in the mixed forests zone of Northern Ukraine (characterized by ample diversity of unregulated aquatic systems) showed the presence of diploid C. carassius and C. auratus, triploid C. gibelio (represented by a series of clones), C. auratus × C. carassius diploid hybrids, and tetraploid hybrids between C. carassius and C. gibelio. The crucian carps of the region compared with those of more southern zones of Ukraine are characterized by numerical prevalence of unisexual form of C. gibelio, and relatively restricted hybridization of C. carassius and C. auratus.
Soil Ciliates of Different Trophic Groups in Samur-Yalama National Park, Azerbaijan
Authors: Alekperov I. Kh. , Mamedova V. F.
Published: June 2017

A comparative investigation of the ciliates of separate trophic groups on the areas of Samur-Yalama National Park with different strength of anthropogenic impact was carried out. The ratio of trophic groups in the soil ciliates communities was found to reflect the ecological conditions in soil environment. It is expressed primarily in the reduction of the number of trophic groups caused by deteriorating environmental conditions.
Perception of root‐active CLE peptides requires CORYNE function in the phloem vasculature
Authors: Hazak Ora , Brandt Benjamin , Cattaneo Pietro , Santiago Julia , Rodriguez‐Villalon Antia , Hothorn Michael , Hardtke Christian S
Published: June 2017

Arabidopsis root development is orchestrated by signaling pathways that consist of different CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION (CLE) peptide ligands and their cognate CLAVATA (CLV) and BARELY ANY MERISTEM (BAM) receptors. How and where different CLE peptides trigger specific morphological or physiological changes in the root is poorly understood. Here, we report that the receptor‐like protein CLAVATA 2 (CLV2) and the pseudokinase CORYNE (CRN) are necessary to fully sense root‐active CLE peptides. We uncover BAM3 as the CLE45 receptor in the root and biochemically map its peptide binding surface. In contrast to other plant peptide receptors, we found no evidence that SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE (SERK) proteins act as co‐receptor kinases in CLE45 perception. CRN stabilizes BAM3 expression and thus is required for BAM3‐mediated CLE45 signaling. Moreover, protophloem‐specific CRN expression complements resistance of the crn mutant to root‐active CLE peptides, suggesting that protophloem is their principal site of action. Our work defines a genetic framework for dissecting CLE peptide signaling and CLV/BAM receptor activation in the root.
HPV/E7 induces chemotherapy‐mediated tumor suppression by ceramide‐dependent mitophagy
Authors: Thomas Raquela J , Oleinik Natalia , Panneer Selvam Shanmugam , Vaena Silvia G , Dany Mohammed , Nganga Rose N , Depalma Ryan , Baron Kyla D , Kim Jisun , Szulc Zdzislaw M , Ogretmen Besim
Published: June 2017

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to improved survival in response to chemo‐radiotherapy for patients with oropharynx head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, mechanisms involved in increased HNSCC cell death by HPV signaling in response to therapy are largely unknown. Here, using molecular, pharmacologic and genetic tools, we show that HPV early protein 7 (E7) enhances ceramide‐mediated lethal mitophagy in response to chemotherapy‐induced cellular stress in HPV‐positive HNSCC cells by selectively targeting retinoblastoma protein (RB). Inhibition of RB by HPV‐E7 relieves E2F5, which then associates with DRP1, providing a scaffolding platform for Drp1 activation and mitochondrial translocation, leading to mitochondrial fission and increased lethal mitophagy. Ectopic expression of a constitutively active mutant RB, which is not inhibited by HPV‐E7, attenuated ceramide‐dependent mitophagy and cell death in HPV(+) HNSCC cells. Moreover, mutation of E2F5 to prevent Drp1 activation inhibited mitophagy in HPV(+) cells. Activation of Drp1 with E2F5‐mimetic peptide for inducing Drp1 mitochondrial localization enhanced ceramide‐mediated mitophagy and led to tumor suppression in HPV‐negative HNSCC‐derived xenograft tumors in response to cisplatin in SCID mice.