bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Suppression of Basement Membrane Defects inCaenorhabditis elegansby Gain of Function in Extracellular Matrix and Cell-Matrix Attachment Genes
Authors: Gotenstein Jennifer R , Koo Cassidy C , Ho Tiffany W , Chisholm Andrew D
Published: February 2018

Basement membranes are extracellular matrices essential for embryonic development in animals. Peroxidasins are extracellular peroxidases implicated in the unique sulfilimine cross-links between type IV basement membrane collagens. Loss of function in the Caenorhabditis elegans peroxidasin PXN-2 results in fully penetrant embryonic or larval lethality. Using genetic suppressor screening, we find that the requirement for PXN-2 in development can be bypassed by gain of function in multiple genes encoding other basement membrane components, or proteins implicated in cell-matrix attachment. We identify multiple alleles of let-805, encoding the transmembrane protein myotactin, which suppress phenotypes of pxn-2 null mutants and of other basement membrane mutants such as F-spondin/spon-1. These let-805 suppressor alleles cause missense alterations in two pairs of FNIII repeats in the extracellular domain; they act dominantly and have no detectable phenotypes alone, suggesting they cause gain of function. We also identify suppressor missense mutations affecting basement membrane components type IV collagen (emb-9, let-2) and perlecan (unc-52), as well as a mutation affecting spectraplakin (vab-10), a component of the epidermal cytoskeleton. These suppressor alleles do not bypass the developmental requirement for core structural proteins of the basement membrane such as laminin or type IV collagen. In conclusion, putative gain-of-function alterations in matrix proteins or in cell-matrix receptors can overcome the requirement for certain basement membrane proteins in embryonic development, revealing previously unknown plasticity in the genetic requirements for the extracellular matrix.
The minimizer for the second order diﬀerential problem with one nonlocal condition
Authors: Paukštaitė Gailė , Štikonas Artūras
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we investigate the minimizer of the residual for the second order diﬀerential problem with one initial and other nonlocal Bitsadze–Samarskii condition. We obtain the representation of the minimizer and present an example.
On a Hadamard-type fractional turbulent flow model with deviating arguments in a porous medium
Authors: Wang Taoli , Wang Guotao , Yang Xiao Jun Jun
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we concern a Hadamard-type fractional-order turbulent flow model with deviating arguments. By using some standard fixed point theorems, the uniqueness, existence and nonexistence of solutions of the fractional turbulent flow model are investigated. Our results are new and are well illustrated with the aid of three examples.
Controllability of nonlinear fractional delay dynamical systems with prescribed controls
Authors: Ding Xiao Li Li , Nieto Juan J. J.
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we consider controllability of nonlinear fractional delay dynamical systems with prescribed controls. We firstly give the solution representation of the fractional delay dynamical systems using Laplace transform and Mittag–Leffler functions. Then we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the controllability criteria of linear fractional delay dynamical systems with prescribed controls. Further, we use a fixed point theorem to establish the sufficient condition for the controllability of nonlinear fractional delay dynamical systems with prescribed controls. In particular, we determine several sufficient conditions on the nonlinear function term so that if the linear system is controllable, then the nonlinear system is controllable. Finally, we give two examples to demonstrate the applicability of our obtained results.
Improved synchronization analysis of competitive neural networks with time-varying delays
Authors: Arbi Adnène , Cao Jinde , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: February 2018

Synchronization and control are two very important aspects of any dynamical systems. Among various kinds of nonlinear systems, competitive neural network holds a very important place due to its application in diverse fields. The model is general enough to include, as subclass, the most famous neural network models such as competitive neural networks, cellular neural networks and Hopfield neural networks. In this paper, the problem of feedback controller design to guarantee synchronization for competitive neural networks with time-varying delays is investigated. The goal of this work is to derive an existent criterion of the controller for the exponential synchronization between drive and response neutral-type competitive neural networks with time-varying delays. The method used in this brief is based on feedback control gain matrix by using the Lyapunov stability theory. The synchronization conditions are given in terms of LMIs. To the best of our knowledge, the results presented here are novel and generalize some previous results. Some numerical simulations are also represented graphically to validate the effectiveness and advantages of our theoretical results.
Reaction of photosynthetic apparatus of a representative of extrazonal steppe plants Quercus robur to air pollution by motor vehicle emissions
Authors: Shupranova L. V. , Lykholat Y. V. , Khromikh N. O. , Grytzaj Z. V. , Alexeyeva A. A. , Bilchuk V. S.
Published: February 2018

We examined the vital condition of the common oak (Quercus robur L.) in plantations of different categories in Dnipro-city. In the investigated plantations, differences in the individual resistance of plants were recorded. The patterns of changes in the pigmented complex of leaves exposed to atmospheric pollution from motor vehicle emissions were studied in connection with the life state of oak trees. The content of chlorophyll a had, in all variants of the experiment, significantly higher values than chlorophyll b. Chlorophyll a accounted for 52.4–75.0% of the total content of chlorophylls, and chlorophyll b (25.0–47.6%). Regardless of the level of air pollution, relatively healthy oak plants were characterized by a high content of pigments activity in the photosynthetic apparatus of the leaves. A chronic moderate influence of motor vehicle emissions had a positive effect on the content of green pigments and carotenoids. Increase in the intensity of transport emissions resulted in a significant reduction in the accumulation of chlorophylls and to an increase in carotenoids. The stability of the chlorophyll a / chlorophyll b ratio under the influence of motor vehicle emissions was been registered. Only severely damaged common oak trees showed a decrease of this parameter by 29.3% compared with healthy and moderately weakened specimens of oak. The values of the coefficients of variation in the content of chlorophylls, their amounts and ratios, as well as carotenoids were low and represent less than 19.0%, while the amplitude of the variability of the studied parameters of the pigment complex, depending on the life state of plants and the intensity of transport emissions, was quite significant: the highest fluctuations in the сontent indexes were recorded for chlorophyll a, the sum of chlorophylls a + b in trees from the park area and the area with a medium level of pollution, chlorophyll b only in oaks from the street with an average level of air pollution by transport emissions. The smallest variability was a characteristic of the ratio of chlorophylls a / b and the content of carotenoids. Low values of the ratio of the sum of chlorophylls a + b to carotenoids (4.3–5.2) indicate the stress state of oak plants in urban environments.
Species-specific morphological characteristics of adult and embryonic Capillariа obsignata roundworms (Nematoda, Capillariidae)
Authors: Yevstafyeva V. A. , Stybel V. V. , Sharavara T. A. , Melnychuk V. V. , Yasnolob I. О. , Antipov А. А.
Published: February 2018

The abundance of Capillaria obsignata Madsen, 1945, the causative agent of chicken capillariasis, was studied in the central region of Ukraine. Differential morphometric characters are determined for adult males and females of C. obsignata. The species-specific variability of its morphological parameters is characterized. New data is received on the meristic characters of C. obsignata eggs extracted from different substrates. The stages of embryonic development are determined in laboratory cultures of these nematodes, taking into account their meristic and morphological changes. Capillaria obsignata parasites are very common at the poultry farms of Poltava and Kyiv regions of Ukraine. Their abundance index is 3.4, and the intensity of infection varies from 3 to 317 specimens. Differential morphometric species-specific characters of adult C. obsignata males are the shape and size of the pseudobursa, spicule, spicule sheath. Adult females of the species can be identified by the shape and size of the vulva, the distance from the esophagus end to the vulva, and the length of the vagina. The meristic characters of nematode eggs, though typical for the species, may change depending on the sampled substrate. The parasite’s embryonic development involves five morphologically and meristically different stages. The invasive larvae of this species developed in the eggs before the 12th day of culturing in laboratory conditions at 25 °С. The invasive larvae’s viability was 90.3 ± 1.5%.
The role of mitochondria in the myocardium of senescent Meriones unguiculates
Authors: Potapenko Y. , Dyomshina O. , Ushakova G.
Published: February 2018

According to the mitochondrial theory of aging, changes in the functional state of mitochondria, which lead to excessive formation of active forms of oxygen, are the main factor in the development of age changes in organs and tissues of the whole organism. The assessment of the mitochondria state of the heart of senescent gerbils (Mongolian Gerbilia, Meriones unguiculates Milne-Edwards, 1867). It is proved that the aging of the heart is preceded by the appearance of dysfunction in mitochondria. The disturbance of metabolic processes in the myocardium of gerbils over the age of two years was established, which was accompanied by activation of oxidative stress by increasing the concentration of TBK-active compounds. An increase in the concentration of cytochrome C in cytosol has been shown due to the destructive effects of oxidized products on the outer membrane of mitochondria and enhancement of its permeability. The violation of bioenergetic processes, increase of the anaerobic respiration and the accumulation of lactate and unoxidative metabolites, which increases oxidative stress and cell damage, are determined. We established that for gerbils the critical age for senescence is 24 months. Major metabolic changes in the heart occur mostly at this age. This is marked by activation of prooxidants formation, proteolytic processes (decrease in total protein concentration) and inhibition of aminotransferase activity in cytosol. The switching of metabolic processes in the mitochondria of the heart with the participation of aminotransferases has been registered: increased activity of the mitochondrial isoenzyme alanine aminotransferase and reciprocal reduction of aspartate aminotransferase. After two years of age in the experimental gerbils the intensification of adaptive processes was established: activation of catalase, γ-glutamyltransferase, relative restoration of the activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, thus maintaining the processes of the vital activity of the whole organism, but at a new metabolic level. With age, irreversible damage to cardiomyocytes occurs, which gradually lose the ability to convert lactate, resulting in its increase, and the processes of its utilization are inhibited. The results confirm the key role of mitochondria in the process of aging of the myocardium. However, when gerbils reach the 36 months of age the metabolic disturbances in the myocardium reach their peak, resulting in large-scale cell damage.
Characteristics of antibiotic sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dairy farms in Ukraine
Authors: Berhilevych O. М. , Kasianchuk V. V. , Kukhtyn M. D. , Lotskin I. М. , Garkavenko T. O. , Shubin P. A.
Published: February 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important microorganism in the process of raw milk production and has significance for people’s health as it causes dangerous microbial contamination of dairy production. Furthermore, raw milk and the environment of livestock farms may be potential vehicles for distribution of antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus. The aim of the present study was to establish antibiotic sensitivity profiles of S. aureus depending on its origin from dairy farms, with a special focus on methicillin-resistant isolates. A total of 165 samples were collected for investigation in the period 2014–2016 from 5 dairy farms in Ukraine. All samples were analyzed for the presence of S. aureus using the Baird Parker Agar with Egg Yolk Tellurite Emulsion. Typical staphylococcal colonies were examined morphologically and for presence of coagulase and hemolysin activities. From these, positive samples for S. aureus were 62 (37.6%): 4 (6.5%) raw milk, 17 (77.4%) swabs of udder skin, 18 (29.0%) milk from cows with subclinical mastitis and 21 (33.9%) environmental samples. The standard disk diffusion method was used to determine sensitivity of S. aureus isolates to 10 antibiotics. The antimicrobial sensitivity profiles of S. aureus isolates showed differences between them, which depends on the origin of the isolates. Our results demonstrated that most of S. aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin, oxacillin and vancomycin. Of the 62 S.aureus isolates, 20 (32.3%) and 5 (8.1%) were found to be multiresistant to 3 different antibiotics, 6 (9.8%) isolates to 4 antibiotics, 12 (19.4%) and 3 (4.8%) to 5 antibiotics (P10, OX1, VA5, L10, TE30 and P10, OX1, VA5, CIP10, TE30 respectively). All isolates resistant to penicillin and oxacillin were typed by mec A gene in PCR with two primers (MecA147-F and MecA147-R). The results show that 66.7% of these isolates yielded a mecA product. The information obtained from this study is useful for understanding the prevalence of S. aureus and its antibiotic sensitivity in dairy farms and can be useful for local and national monitoring or for designing specific control programs of methicillin- and multiresistance isolates present in the food chain of milk production.
Аcid resistance and population structure of erythrocytes in trotter horses during and after exercise
Authors: Golovakha V. I. , Piddubnуak О. V. , Sliusarenko S. V. , Slivinska L. G. , Maksymovych I. A. , Shcherbatyy A. R. , Gutyj B. V.
Published: February 2018

Regular physical exercise improves the cardiovascular system function, increases energy metabolism and antioxidant protection, provides greater muscle strength and physical endurance. However, exhaustive physical exercise can cause oxidative stress. During intense physical exercise, erythrocytes become more vulnerable to oxidative damage due to action of active oxygen forms, high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Physical loading of horses is accompanied by the development of tissue hypoxia, so one needs to study in detail changes of hematopoiesis indices, responsible for providing oxygen to tissues. When monitoring animal health, blood tests will detect a disease in early stages, because blood is a sensitive indicator of metabolic disorders, both of physiological and pathological body conditions. The purpose of present study was to examine changes of some hematopoiesis indicators (RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH), acid resistance of erythrocytesand population structure in trotting horses due to workloads of 1,600 m trot races (at rest, after race, after 90 min). In total, 20 clinically healthy horses of Orlovska and Russian trotting breeds, aged 2–3 years, were used in the study. The experimental animals included 5 mares, 15 stallions. All horses had active training. The horses were divided into two groups. The first animal group included animals that showed high results (2 min 04 s – 2 min 21 s); the second had trotters that covered the distance with worse time (2 min 28 s – 2 min 41 s). The erythrocyte couint in the leader horses after the loading increased, in the outsider horses it fell. After rest the leader horses’ erythrocytes returned to their original values, in the outsider horses they did not change. The outsider horses’ hemoglobin level after loading was lower than in the leader horses. The leader horses had higher hemoglobin content after rest (by 11.0% as compared with the values before the loading). The outsider horses had lower hemoglobin content. The leader horses hematocrit value increased, in the outsider horses ‒ decreased. The leader horses’ MCV after the loading was reduced, however after rest it recovered. The outsider horses showed MSV increase during the whole study period. The MCH in the leader horses did not change over the entire research period, in the outsider horses – it increased. The animals that showed better results, had an increasing number of “mature” and “old” erythrocytes due to their elimination from the depot. However, the outsider animals had an increasing number of “young” erythrocytes, resistant to hemolysis, but they were not able to provide tissues with needed oxygen.
Factors Space and its Relationship with Formal Conceptual Analysis: A General View
Authors: Liu Haitao , Dzitac Ioan , Guo Sicong
Published: February 2018

Conceptual generation is a key point and basic problem in artificial intelligence, which has been probed in the Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) established by G. Wille. Factors Space (FS) is also a branch of cognition math initiated by P.Z. Wang at the end of last century, which has been applied in information processing with fuzzy concepts effectively. This paper briefly introduces the historic background of FS and its relationship with FCA. FS can be seen as a good partner of FCA on conceptual description and structure extraction; combining FCA with FS, we can get more clear and simple statements and more fast algorithms on conceptual generation.
Text Classification Research with Attention-based Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Du Changshun , Huang Lei
Published: February 2018

Text classification is one of the principal tasks of machine learning. It aims to design proper algorithms to enable computers to extract features and classify texts automatically. In the past, this has been mainly based on the classification of keywords and neural network semantic synthesis classification. The former emphasizes the role of keywords, while the latter focuses on the combination of words between roles. The method proposed in this paper considers the advantages of both methods. It uses an attention mechanism to learn weighting for each word. Under the setting, key words will have a higher weight, and common words will have lower weight. Therefore, the representation of texts not only considers all words, but also pays more attention to key words. Then we feed the feature vector to a softmax classifier. At last, we conduct experiments on two news classification datasets published by NLPCC2014 and Reuters, respectively. The proposed model achieves F-values by 88.5% and 51.8% on the two datasets. The experimental results show that our method outperforms all the traditional baseline systems.
Compaction and consolidation behaviour of untreated and treated waste of Indian red mud
Authors: Reddy Narala Gangadhara , Hanumantha Rao Bendadi
Published: February 2018

This study deals with the evaluation of the compaction and consolidation characteristics of untreated as well as hydrochloric acid (HCl)- and sodium chloride (NaCl)-treated red mud wastes. A series of standard and modified Proctor compaction and one-dimensional consolidation tests were conducted for the study purpose. Sodium chloride solutions of 1·71 and 3·42 M and hydrochloric acid solutions with pH of 1, 1·5, 2, 3 and 4 are selected to treat the waste. Results show that standard Proctor compaction tests yield inconsistent and low dry unit weight values with relatively high optimum water content. On the other hand, modified Proctor compaction test produced consistent dry unit weight values with low optimum water content. There is only a marginal improvement in dry unit weight and compression properties of hydrochloric acid- and sodium chloride-treated samples; however, the treatment proved effective in reducing pH of the waste. It has been noticed that the compressibility of both untreated and treated samples is appreciably low. Results elucidate that parameters such as the size of the particles and their shape, chemical and mineralogical compositions and surface charge properties can influence the compaction and compressibility characteristics of the waste. Overall, the study demonstrates that the red mud waste could be a potential resource material for geotechnical engineering applications.
Optimisation of waste vegetable oil-based thermoset polymers
Authors: Fernandes Felipe C , Kirwan Kerry , Wilson Peter R , Coles Stuart R
Published: February 2018

Bio-based thermoset polymers were produced from epoxidised waste vegetable oils (WVOs) cured with anhydrides at different molar ratios. Properties were compared to analogues produced with neat oil and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A as a feedstock. The thermal stability proved to be affected by the molar ratio, and the use of feedstock from waste oil resulted in no effect on this property. A dynamic mechanical analysis has shown that higher concentrations of anhydride enhance the storage modulus, glass transition temperature (up to 42·5°C) and cross-link density. The frying process proved to play a minor role in tuning the dynamic mechanical properties. However, the contribution of the anhydride was demonstrated to be significant enough to mitigate the losses caused by the waste oil, as shown statistically in a design of experiment study. All formulations were chemically resistant to aqueous, organic and acidic media. The identification of the effects of critical parameters on the properties of WVO-based thermosets enables the further production of polymers from waste streams.
Air embolism after prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a preterm infant
Authors: ÖZALKAYA ELİF , KARATEKİN GÜNER , TOPÇUOĞLU SEVİLAY , TÜTEN APDULHAMİT , GÖKMEN TÜLİN
Published: February 2018

Systemic
air embolism develops in newborns mostly secondary to idiopathic air infusion, necrotizing
enterocolitis and pulmonary air leak syndromes. A girl infant weighing 1355 g was
born at gestational of 28 weeks. She developed apnea and cardiopulmonary arrest
secondary to clinical sepsis at postnatal day 9. On radiography and
ultrasonography of the premature infant following cardiopulmonary resuscitation
for 30 minutes, air was detected in the cranial, systemic and pulmonary
vascularity. At long-term followed up of the patient with return of spontaneous
circulation with resuscitation, cortical cystic leukomalacia and necrotizing
enterocolitis developed secondary to air embolism. The patient intubated was
lost at the day 180 of her life. In this case report, we presented a preterm
infant who developed systemic air embolism due to prolonged resuscitation.
A RARE CAUSE CHEST PAIN IN CHILDREN: SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM
Authors: Yazar Abdullah , Türe Esra , Akın Fatih , Pekcan Sevgi , Odabaş Dursun
Published: February 2018

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (Hamman's
syndrome) is a rare, self-limiting disorder commonly seen in young adult males.
It occurs by the flow of air towards to the hilum and mediastinum due to increaced
intrathoracic pressure secondary to alveolar rupture. The cases usually present
with the complaints of chest pain, neck pain, back pain, dysphonia, dysphagia
and coughing. In this article, we present a case of spontaneous
pneumomediastinum (SPM), who admitted to the pediatric emergency clinic with the
complaint of chest pain.  SPM should be
kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of chest pain.
Trace elements content in virgin sunflower oil production
Authors: Koreňovská M. , Poláčeková O.
Published: February 2018

Trace elements content Cd, As, Hg, Pb, Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co and Mn in the single steps of virgin sunflower oil production were studied. It was determined that mercury is cumulated in sunflower kernel and passes into oil. Chromium is concentrated in sunflower hulls and therefore is not passing into oil. Nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, manganese remained in pressed sunflower meal. Only their decreased content was found in oil because mechanical purifying (separation and filtration) minimized their content. We determined the levels of selected trace elements in sunflower virgin oils produced in Slovakia in 1995 and 1996. Methods of atomic absorption spectrometry using graphite furnace and flame were used.
Colour of baked products during baking
Authors: Novotná P. , Landfeld A.
Published: February 2018

The parameters of the colour of the surface of bakery products – brightness L*, a* for red and b* for yellow colour – were measured at different temperature regimes. The parameters were found to change during the time of baking. There is a considerable decrease in brightness L* and an increase in parameters a* and b* under the regime of temperature decrease between 6th and 10th minute of baking. The products baked at the 9th and 10th temperature grade were darker in general, brightness L* was lower for the 10th temperature grade and parameter a* was higher from the 8th minute of baking for the 9th temperature grade.
Strains for fermentation of high gravity worts – a review
Authors: Pátková J. , Šmogrovičová D. , Dömény Z. , Bafrncová P.
Published: February 2018

The paper deals with isolation and construction of new strains usable for fermentation of high gravity worts. These worts cause stress for yeasts, and influence their metabolism and fermentation activity. It is reflected in fermentation speed and beer quality. Brewers’ yeast with STA2 genome for production of extracellular glucoamylase was obtained by gene manipulations, which is also used in industrial production. Operational experiments were successfully conducted with new strains of yeasts with these characteristics: ethanol-tolerant, osmotolerant, not glucose-repressed, higher flocculation capacity, ability to degrade turbidity-forming substances, influenced production of flavouring substances, but their larger-scale use is prevented by legislation.
Non-linear relationship between food resource exploitation and population density of stored-product pests
Authors: Stejskal V.
Published: February 2018

The main current strategies (IPM, HACCP) to control pests in stored food products are based on critical thresholds derived from pest population density. These thresholds usually do not consider cumulative effects of earlier pest infestation although injuries caused by biotic pest organisms to stored food commodities are irreversible. We present conceptual and illustrative models showing that population size indices, in contrast to cumulative (population history) indices, could (i) underestimate critical thresholds if pest population can grow exponentially and (ii) provide incorrect information about the level of stored food damage if pest population density can fluctuate. The importance of entomological food microanalysis and continual “cumulative monitoring” based on trapping is discussed with respect to HACCP and IPM programmes in stored food products.
A new method for rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food
Authors: Zdeňková K. , Demnerová K. , Jeníková G. , Pazlarová J.
Published: February 2018

Listeria monocytogenes represents serious danger for human health. Thus detection of this pathogen in food, which represents its main means of entry into the organism, is a topic of special importance. The original classic methods for the determination of Listeria monocytogenes are in general laborious and time-consuming procedures. In order to address this issue we developed a new rapid method for specific detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples. The method consists of three steps: i) enrichment of food microflora (16 h), ii) selective isolation of Listeria sp. exploiting immunomagnetic separation (2–3 h) followed by iii) precise identification of Listeria sp. and Listeria monocytogenes using duplex PCR. PCR primers specific to part of 16S rRNA were used in order to identify the members of Listeria genus. The specific identification of Listeria monocytogenes was accomplished exploiting a pair of primers specific to gene encoding invasion-associated protein – iap (4–5 h). Amplification products, 1003 bp and 593 bp respectively, were separated by electrophoresis and visualized by UV detection. The optimized IMS-PCR method was used to test the presence of Listeria sp. and Listeria monocytogenes in food samples (ground meat, low-fat milk and cheese [olomoucké tvarůžky]). A comparison of the efficiency of the bacteria enrichment step by IMS and centrifugation was also performed. The analysis time including enrichment is less than 24 h. The detection limit for Listeria monocytogenes was found between 101–102 cfu per 25 g of food sample.
Influence of the specific growth rate on formation of sterols in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during fed-batch cultivation
Authors: Čermák J. , Rychtera M. , Nechvíle P. , Náhlík J. , Melzoch K. , Šindelář J. , Vovsík J. , Votruba J.
Published: February 2018

Ergosterol is a major sterol in yeast cells. Intermediates of ergosterol biosynthesis or products of ergosterol biotransformation occur in cells too. Sterols mainly form components of cell membranes. Fluidity of membranes is affected by sterols. The amount of sterols in cells can be influenced above all by cultivation conditions and by the yeast genotype. Specific growth rate is an important factor which affects the amount of sterols present in yeast cells. We carried out a series of 24-hour cultivations to find out the impact of specific growth rate on sterol biosynthesis. Inflow of synthetic medium to the bioreactor was controlled by means of a profile of carbon dioxide concentration in the outlet gases. This profile was acquired by simulation according to a mathematical model of cultivation. Profile of carbon dioxide concentration corresponded to a precalculated profile of specific growth rate. Cultivation was divided into two phases with different growth rate values. A constant value of the specific growth rate was maintained in the 1st phase. The specific growth rate value decreased by controlling the inflow in the 2nd phase (beginning at 12th hour of cultivation). Other cultivations were carried out using so-called physiological control which consisted in determining the immediate physiological state (e.g., RQ) and the choice of control strategy according to the metabolic state. Selected control strategy ensures an immediate action (inflow of the medium). If the specific growth rate decreased in the 1st phase, the amount of total sterols in yeast dry biomass increased (to 2.7% in yeast dry biomass). But the purity of ergosterol decreased (amount of sterol contaminants increased up to 23.3% in the sterol fraction). If a constant value of respiratory quotient was maintained (at about 1.1), the amount of total sterols in yeast dry biomass and the purity of ergosterol were constant. If the value of respiratory quotient was changed in the growth and final phase of cultivation, the amount of total sterols in yeast dry biomass increased (to 2.83% in yeast dry biomass). However, the purity of ergosterol decreased (amount of sterol contaminants increased up to 21.2% in sterol fraction).
Influence of natural antioxidants on heat-untreated meat products quality
Authors: Korimová Ľ. , Máté D. , Turek P.
Published: February 2018

The work deals with a study of the effect of natural antioxidants – rosemary extracts in powder and liquid forms, respectively, on the quality of a heat-untreated meat product. Effect of added antioxidants was estimated in samples taken from the meat product mixture, from a ready-made product immediately after smoking, after 28 days – at the expedition of the meat product and then after further 28 days of storing at different ambient temperatures. Marked positive effect of the applied antioxidants was noted especially during storing when the peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values of fats increased more slowly compared to meat products manufactured without added antioxidants. Subsequent sensory analysis shows also preferences for the antioxidant treated meat products.
Specific microflora of packed meet – a review
Authors: Steinhauserová I.
Published: February 2018

Meat is an attractive medium for microorganism multiplication due to its composition. The microflora of unpacked meat or of meat packed in wrapping plastic foil is significantly different from the microflora of vacuum-packed or controlled-atmosphere packed meat. Dominant microorganisms of unpacked meat are some species of the genus Pseudomonas sp., namely Pseudomonas fragi, Shewanella putrefaciens, Psychrobacter and Acinetobacter, which largely contribute to meat spoilage. From vacuum-packed or controlled-atmosphere packed meat were isolated mainly Brochotrix thermosphacta, heterofermentative lactobacilli (L. cellobiosus), Carnobacterium sp. and Leuconostoc sp. Characteristic microorganisms of vacuum-packed meat were Leuconostoc carnosum, Leuconostoc gelidum and Carnobacterium divergens. Quantitative proportions of the groups of microorganisms in packed meat are related to meat pH value, plastic foil permeability for oxygen and type of packed product.
Wheat leaf rust races/pathotypes in the Czech Republic in 1999–2000
Authors: Bartoš P. , Hanzalová A. , Stuchlíková E.
Published: February 2018

In 1999–2000 virulence of the wheat leaf rust population was studied on Thatcher near isogenic lines (NILs) with  Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr10 (only in 2000), Lr11, Lr15, Lr17, Lr19, Lr21, Lr23, Lr24, Lr26 and Lr28. On these NILs 11 pathotypes were determined in 1999, and 18 in 2000. All rust samples were avirulent on Lr9, Lr19, Lr24 and Lr28. There was a relatively low frequency of virulence on Lr1, Lr2a and Lr2b. Most rust samples were virulent on Lr2c, Lr11, Lr15, Lr17, Lr21, Lr23 and Lr26. The identified pathotypes conformed with races 61SaBa, 77SaBa, 2SaBa, 12SaBa, 57SaBa, 6SaBa, 28SaBa, 61and 6. Races 61SaBa, 2SaBa and 77SaBa prevailed in 1999, races 61SaBa and 12SaBa were prevalent in 2000. Race 28SaBa was found for the first time. Data of the reactions to 15 leaf rust isolates of the recently registered winter wheat cultivars Niagara, Vlasta, Sulamit, Record, Ludwig, Apache, Semper, Drifter, Complet, Corsaire, Sepstra and Rialto are presented.
The Impact Of Body Mass Index On The Clinical Outcomes Of Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: ÜNAL Abdullah Meriç , ERCAN Sabriye , OĞUL Ahsen , BAYGÜL ATALAY Yurdagül , ÇETİN Cem
Published: February 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects
of the body mass index on the postoperative functional knee data of patients
who have undergone unicondylar knee arthroplasty with a fixed insert system.Patients and methods: Body mass index was calculated with the method
proposed by the World Health Organization. The patients were divided into two
groups based on their body mass index, those with a body mass index of below
and above 30 kg/m2. Preoperative and postoperative joint range of motion, Visual
Analogue Scale, Knee Society Scores, Oxford Knee Scores, Western Ontario and
McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index scores were used to identify the
patients’ satisfaction and the functional status of their knees.Results: Among the 82 patients were 44 patients (Group 1) with a body mass index
below 30 kg/m2 and 38 patients (Group 2) with a body mass index
above 30 kg/m2. There was no statistically significant difference
between the groups in terms of their demographic data other than their body
weights and body mass indexes, and their follow-up lengths (p˃0.05). A
statistically significant improvement in the postoperative period was
identified in both groups in the intragroup evaluation of the functional knee
scores (p:0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was found in
these parameters between the groups (p˃0.05).

Conclusion: Body mass index reaching the level of obesity would
not affect postoperative clinical results.
HBV DNA PreS1-PreS2 amplification v2
Authors: Dény Paul , Brichler Ségolène , Le Gal Frédéric , Gerber Athénaïs
Published: February 2018

This protocol aims to amplify the PreS1/PreS2 region of the Hepatitis B genome. It can be obtained from a single PCR giving an amplified product of 479 bp. However genotype D stains have typically a deletion in this region of 33 nucleotides, giving an amplified product of 446 bp. Furthermore, larger deletions may occur in rare HBV genotype D strains and the amplicon size may be as short as 263 bp. Used for phylogenetic analysis, this region has been shown to better fit with the full-length phylogenetic information of the HBV DNA, than the PreC/C region. However it may give ambigous results with regards to recombinant strains.
Amplification of Hepatitis delta virus genome region position 912-1264 v1
Authors: Dény Paul , Le Gal Frédéric , Brichler Ségolène , Dziri Samira
Published: February 2018

This protocol has been very widely used in our laboratory. The local lab labeling is called «amplification of the R0 region», However it is clearer to say that the amplicon corresponds to position 912 to 1264 of reference sequence from Kuo et al 1988, excluding the primer sequences. Sens primer is a 22 mer well conserved as locate complementary to the antigenomic ribozyme sequence cleavage site. The sens primer sequence 890->911 is 5’ CAT gCC gAC CCg AAG AGG AAA g 3’. Antisens primer corresponding to the antigenomic sequence 1288->1265: 5’ gAA ggA Agg CCC TCg AgA ACA AgA 3’ which is in the HD gene, corresponding to the sequence of the peptide ‘RKALENK’ located at the end of the first arginin rich motif. As this amplicon also contains the sequence coding the carboxyterminal extention of L-HDAg, it has been widely used for genotyping although caution should be made: HDV genotyping best relies on the full length S-HDAg gene or the full-length genome sequence.
Impact of Non-Performing Loans on Bank’s Profitability: Empirical Evidence from Commercial Banks in Tanzania
Authors: Stephen Kingu Peter , Macha Dr Salvio , Gwahula Dr Raphael
Published: February 2018

This study examined the impact of Non-performing loans on bank’s profitability using information asymmetry theory and bad management hypothesis. This study adopted causality research design using panel data (2007 to 2015) of 16 commercial banks in Tanzania. The study employed Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis estimation methods. Likewise, Ordinary Least-Squares (OLS) regression technique was also used, and then Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) assumptions were considered.

The study found that occurrence of non-performing loans is negatively associated with the level of profitability in commercial banks in Tanzania. The results extend further the information asymmetry theory and bad management hypothesis. The findings of the study have both theoretical and managerial implications for practitioners and policy-makers
Correlation Between Cytologic Results and Thyroid Autoantibodies, Calcitonin, and Thyroid Function Tests in Patients with Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Karakaya Pinar , Ozdemir Bahar , Yaprak Bulent , Mert Meral
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background: Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is currently a widely accepted screening procedure in diagnosis of thyroid nodules, there has been confusion related to diagnostic terminology in the assessment of samples. This confusion has been caused by multiple category names, descriptive reports without assigning to a category, and different terminologies used for surgical pathology. We aimed to evaluate correlations between US characteristics, cytologic results of FNAB, and thyroid antibodies, calcitonin, and thyroid function tests in patients presented with thyroid nodules, and to contribute in diagnosis, treatment, and patient follow-up.

Methods: A total of 1639 patients with thyroid nodules who applied to outpatient clinic of endocrinology between dates April and May 2017, had FNAB under US guideline, and their pathologic evaluation was performed according to Bethesda classification. Serological and hormonal tests were also performed for each patient.

Results: The mean age of study group was 50 (range interval= 14-90) years. The median of node-diameter1 was 17.5 (range=1-51) mm, and median of node-diameter2 was 12 (range=8-33) mm. Of US characteristics, echogenicity, microcalcification, irregular borders, and solitary nodules were determined in 4.4%, 54%, 71.2%, and 86.6% of cohort respectively. Elevated anti-TPO was determined in 64.6%. Cytologic readings were reported as 15.8% nondiagnostic, 53.8% atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance, 28.8% benign, 0.4% suspicious for follicular nodule, and 1.2% malign.  

Conclusion: Measurement of thyroid autoantiboides, calcitonin, and thyroid function tests have good correlations with Bethesda classification in patients with thyroid nodules.
Wsparcie młodzieży zagrożonej wykluczeniem z rynku pracy i bezrobotnej. Refleksje na marginesie działalności Ochotniczych Hufców Pracy
Authors: Giermanowska Ewa
Published: February 2018

Artykuł podejmuje temat adekwatności i skuteczności wsparcia społecznego młodzieży zagrożonej wykluczeniem z rynku pracy i bezrobotnej. Podstawą analizy jest wiedza o specyfice potrzeb młodych ludzi wymagających szczególnego wsparcia na rynku pracy oraz ocena dotychczasowej działalności Ochotniczych Hufców Pracy w tym obszarze. Autorka wskazuje na konieczność przeprofilowania działalności publicznych instytucji rynku pracy w kierunku świadczenia usług kompleksowych i zindywidualizowanych. Odwołuje się do koncepcji nowego zarządzania publicznego i założeń polityki młodzieżowej w UE.
Dzieciństwo z niepełnosprawnością – problem realizacji praw dziecka niepełnosprawnego w praktyce społecznej
Authors: Mikołajczyk-Lerman Grażyna
Published: February 2018

Dzieciństwo z niepełnosprawnością z całą pewnością jest „starym” problemem, który powoduje określone konsekwencje społeczne, ale w obliczu upowszechniających się praw dziecka, w tym także niepełnosprawnego, pojawiają się nowe okoliczności i wyzwania. Podejście oparte na prawach człowieka uwzględnia i akcentuje podmiotowość dziecka jako obywatela i przysługujące mu prawa w myśl nowoczesnej koncepcji dzieciństwa (Corsaro 1997; Jenks 2008; Prout, James 1997). Dzieci uzyskały w tym nowym podejściu pozycję aktywnych uczestników społecznego konstruowania dzieciństwa (Kwak, Mościskier 2002). Prawa dziecka są traktowane jako integralna część praw człowieka, przysługujących każdej istocie ludzkiej, także dzieciom niepełnosprawnym. Upowszechnianie się praw dziecka jako obywatela pozwala na wyeksponowanie trudnych doświadczeń najsłabszych fizycznie i/lub umysłowo dzieci i młodzieży (Callus, Farrugia 2016). Doświadczenia młodych niepełnosprawnych dają wiedzę na temat tego, co oni myślą o edukacji, służbie zdrowia i polityce społecznej. W większości są to negatywne doświadczenia, które potwierdzają wykluczenie dzieci i młodzieży niepełnosprawnej praktycznie we wszystkich dziedzinach życia, ale trzeba też podkreślić, iż grupa młodych niepełnosprawnych jest niejednorodna i ich doświadczenia nie zawsze są tylko negatywne (Davis 2004). Prezentowany artykuł podejmuje tematykę sytuacji dziecka niepełnosprawnego i jego rodziny, koncentrując się na specyficznych trudnościach, które stają się ich udziałem i w konsekwencji utrudniają, a czasem wręcz uniemożliwiają realizację praw im przynależnych.
Uznaniowość i niespójność jako potencjalne źródła nierówności w procesie usamodzielniania osób opuszczających socjalizacyjne placówki opiekuńczo-wychowawcze
Authors: Chrzanowska Patrycja
Published: February 2018

W artykule została poruszona problematyka realizowania ustawowo zaprojektowanego procesu usamodzielniania wychowanków opuszczających placówki opiekuńczo-wychowawcze typu socjalizacyjnego. Usamodzielnianie podopiecznych systemu pieczy zastępczej zarówno o charakterze instytucjonalnym. jak i rodzinnym, zostało ujęte głównie w dwóch aktach prawnych – ustawie o pomocy społecznej oraz ustawie o wspieraniu rodziny i systemie pieczy zastępczej. Przechodzenie z placówki zapewniającej całodobową opiekę do samodzielnego prowadzenia gospodarstwa domowego stanowi dużą zmianę życiową, wpływając w znaczący sposób na dalszy przebieg życia usamodzielniającego się wychowanka. Artykuł stanowi głos w dyskusji dotyczącej przebiegu procesu usamodzielnienia, w szczególności skupia się na omówieniu niedoskonałości obecnych w ustawowych kryteriach i systemie wsparcia osób opuszczających instytucje opiekuńcze. Przebieg procesu usamodzielnienia w ujęciu praktycznym został przedstawiony na podstawie wybranych wyników badań ilościowych i jakościowych, w tym prowadzonych na potrzeby projektów realizowanych przez Gdańską Fundację Innowacji Społecznych, SOS Wioski Dziecięce oraz Fundację Robinson Crusoe. W niniejszej pracy odwołano się do teorii Michaela Lipsky’ego – Street level bureaucracy – która posłużyła do skonstruowania rekomendacji mających na celu łagodzenie lub niwelowanie niespójności pojawiających się w procesie usamodzielnienia, a które, poprzez swoje występowanie, mogą prowadzić do nierówności skutkujących pogorszeniem sytuacji życiowej wychowanków opuszczających instytucjonalną pieczę zastępczą.
Problematyka emocji w zachowaniach prospołecznych w świetle wybranych teorii społecznych i badań empirycznych
Authors: Kanasz Tatiana
Published: February 2018

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie zagadnienia współczesnych działań prospołecznych z uwzględnieniem dorobku socjologii emocji oraz perspektywy problemów społecznych. Tezą jest stwierdzenie, że zachowania prospołeczne są zjawiskiem złożonym ze względu na motywy oraz uwarunkowania oraz że istotną rolę w indywidualnej oraz instytucjonalnej dobroczynności odgrywają emocje. Empiryczną implikacją założeń teoretycznych jest analiza zawartości stron internetowych trzech organizacji dobroczynnych o najwyższym poziomie zaufania w Polsce: Fundacji Wielkiej Orkiestry Świątecznej Pomocy, Caritas Polska oraz Polskiego Czerwonego Krzyża.
Dynamiczno‑przestrzenna analiza zjawiska przenoszenia zmienności między rynkami reprezentującymi różne klasy aktywów z uwzględnieniem zmian cen ropy naftowej w latach 2000–2015
Authors: Wleklińska Dagna
Published: February 2018

W obliczu licznych turbulencji na globalnym rynku finansowym wzrasta potrzeba głębszego przyjrzenia się zjawisku przenoszenia zmienności, gdyż w jego konsekwencji wzrost zmienności na jednym rynku może prowadzić do pojawienia się podwyższonej zmienności na innym. W przypadku tych zależności istotne wydają się zwłaszcza przesunięcia przestrzenne przejawiające się w reakcjach danego rynku w jednym kraju na zmiany dokonujące się na tym rynku w innych krajach. W podejściu tym analizy przeprowadza się przy założeniu, że rynki są zlokalizowane w przestrzeni metrycznej, gdzie zależności między zmiennymi opisującymi te rynki są funkcjami fizycznej lub częściej ekonomicznej odległości między nimi. Celem artykułu jest sprawdzenie, czy w kontekście zjawiska przenoszenia zmienności między rynkami poszczególnych klas aktywów dochodzi do ujawnienia się pewnych związków przestrzennych między nimi. Identyfikacji ewentualnych zależności przestrzennych dokonano z wykorzystaniem dynamicznych panelowych modeli przestrzennych. Analizie poddano rynki akcji oraz dziesięcioletnich obligacji skarbowych reprezentujące wybrane kraje europejskie. Zakres czasowy badania objął lata 2000–2015.