bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep Neural Networks Approach for Monitoring Vehicles on the Highway
Authors: Husein Amir Mahmud , Christopher Christopher , Gracia Andy , Brandlee Rio , Hasibuan Muhammad Haris
Published: April 2020

Vehicle classification and detection aims to extract certain types of vehicle information from images or videos containing vehicles and is one of the important things in a smart transportation system. However, due to the different size of the vehicle, it became a challenge that directly and interested many researchers . In this paper, we compare YOLOv3's one-stage detection method with MobileNet-SSD for direct vehicle detection on a highway vehicle video dataset specifically recorded using two cellular devices on highway activities in Medan City, producing 42 videos, both methods evaluated based on Mean Average Precision (mAP) where YOLOv3 produces better accuracy of 81.9% compared to MobileNet-SSD at 67.9%, but the size of the resulting video file detection is greater. Mobilenet-SSD performs faster with smaller video output sizes, but it is difficult to detect small objects.
Investigation of International News Sites in the Context of Neutrality in the News: The Example of Turkey’s Peace Spring Operation
Authors: Çelikiz Ekrem
Published: April 2020

Internet journalism has brought a new impetus to journalism. The events in the world are instantly transferred to the reader / viewer on television channels, social media and internet news sites. There is a rivalry between the media tools at the speed of the transfer of news. International media organizations belonging to different capital groups, while conveying the news to the audience / reader in a fast manner, occasionally violating the reporting criteria; they ignore the principles of neutrality in the news. Specially, international media organizations often violate the principles of impartiality in their news when broadcasting news about different countries. In this study, we will investigate how the news websites of different countries, CNN International, France 24, Al Jazeera, TRT World and BBC news portals convey Turkey's Peace Spring Operation to their readers in 2019 in the context of the principles of neutrality in the news. A discourse analysis method will be used in the study.
Social Media and Social Class in China: How Social Media Accelerates Class Consolidation and Social Stratification) Based on Socio-economic Indicators (
Authors: Changyue Minnie Ma
Published: April 2020

This paper examines the development of Chinese social media platforms and corresponding socio-economic indicators. Applying Bourdieu's concepts of cultural capital and Fukuyama’s concepts of social capital, this paper analyzes various social media platforms and their impact on mobility across social classes in China. Government regulations are highly involved in Chinese social media platforms. Through measuring education, consumption, income inequality, social mobility, and other related socio-economic indicators, this paper argues that the emergence of social media platforms revolutionizes the traditional social class structure and results in a unique social stratification in China. Social media platforms empower upper classes, middle classes, and working classes differently. This paper's central proposition is that the rise of social media blurs boundaries between middle and working classes, but strengthens the upper classes' distinctiveness and further consolidates their capital. The models applied in this paper advances our understanding of the rise of social media and its role in advocating for social mobility while also its role in facilitating class consolidation.
Gender Differences and the Effects of Sibling Composition on Parents' Educational Expectations: Findings from a Case of China
Authors: Jiang Yun
Published: April 2020

This research aims to examine gender differences in parents’ expectations for the education of their children in China. With rich information from the 2013/14 wave of China Education Panel Survey Data, this study used the ordinary least squares regression with the statistical package STATA to examine the effects of teenager gender, the number of siblings and sibling sex composition on parents' educational expectations in China. Different from previous studies in China, this study found that parents have higher educational expectations for girls than for boys, and the higher rate of return to education for girls might be one of the explanations for this phenomenon. Additionally, residential areas, parents' educational levels, and father's occupational status show a significant impact on narrowing the gender gap in parents’ educational expectations. This study also focuses on the sibling composition in the family, which includes the number of siblings and the sibling sex composition. Consistent with the dilution model, a larger number of siblings has a negative impact on parents' educational expectations, but this impact has no gender differences. Besides, due to the previous family planning policy, a large number of Chinese families only have one child. This study found that in both one-child families and multiple-children families, parents still have higher educational expectations for girls, and even in multiple-children families this preference for girls to receive more education is more significant. Different as expected, sibling sex composition does not show any statistically significant influence on parents' educational expectations.
Ethical Conduct A Limpopo Provincial Government Department in South Africa
Authors: Keneilwe Rispah Moloi  , Ricky Munyaradzi Mukonza
Published: April 2020

Public officials have a greater responsibility to account to citizens, therefore they are expected to execute their duties with professionalism, courtesy and integrity and they are projected to refrain from unethical conduct that cripple the moral fibre of society. It is imperative for government officials to conduct themselves ethically in executing their daily duties and again it is of great importance to annotate that professional ethics in public administration is vital to ensure moral values, obligation, attitudes and norms governing public functionaries. The aim of this study was to examine ethical conduct in the Limpopo Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as a case study. The proposed study was used to make suggestions on how to rebuild government‘s integrity and also to address ethical challenges that South Africa’s public service is facing. The mixed research methodology was utilised, with unstructured interviews and structured (self-administered) questionnaires as tools to collect primary data. A combination of probability and non-probability sampling methods were employed in selecting sample elements from the population. Furthermore, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were used for the purpose of this study. Based on the study findings although Limpopo Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s officials were ethically behaving in their dealings with the public, not all community members were satisfied about their conduct. Evidence collected indicated that the citizens does not know the code of conduct for the department. Consequently, the paper recommends that the department should develop their own clear policies, procedures, code of conduct towards ethical conduct of officials.
The Relationship Between Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation in Senescent Rat Erythrocytes
Authors: MLADENOV M. , GOKIK M. , HADZI-PETRUSHEV N. , GJORGOSKI I. , JANKULOVSKI N.
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to gain more complete information about the relationships between some endogenous antioxidants and the malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation, during D-galactose induced senescence. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and the concentrations of uric acid (UA) in plasma and MDA in erythrocyte’s hemolysate, were determined in 15 D-galactose (D-gal), treated rats and compared with 15 placebo. The activity of the erythrocyte’s CAT was found significantly increased due to the senescence. The ratio of the activities of antioxidant enzymes R=SOD/(GPx+CAT) was significantly decreased due to the senescence and negatively correlated with the MDA (ρ=–0.524, p=0.045). The antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx negatively correlated with the MDA, while CAT displayed no correlation. Further, the UA positively correlated with the ratio of activities of the antioxidant enzymes R=SOD/(GPx+CAT), (ρ=0.564, p=0.029 for senescent rats). Obtained results may contribute to better understanding of the process of D-gal induced senescence in the erythrocytes.
Neonatal Rat Hearts Cannot Be Protected by Ischemic Postconditioning
Authors: DOUL J. , CHARVÁTOVÁ Z. , OŠŤÁDALOVÁ I. , KOHUTIAR M. , MAXOVÁ H. , OŠŤÁDAL B.
Published: April 2020

Although there are abundant data on ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) in the adult myocardium, this phenomenon has not yet been investigated in neonatal hearts. To examine possible protective effects of IPoC, rat hearts isolated on days 1, 4, 7 and 10 of postnatal life were perfused according to Langendorff. Developed force (DF) of contraction was measured by an isometric force transducer. Hearts were exposed to 40 or 60 min of global ischemia followed by reperfusion up to the maximum recovery of DF. IPoC was induced by three cycles of 10, 30 or 60 s periods of global ischemia/reperfusion. To further determine the extent of ischemic injury, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was measured in the coronary effluent. Tolerance to ischemia did not change from day 1 to day 4 but decreased to days 7 and 10. None of the postconditioning protocols tested led to significant protection on the day 10. Prolonging the period of sustained ischemia to 60 min on day 10 did not lead to better protection. The 3x30 s protocol was then evaluated on days 1, 4 and 7 without any significant effects. There were no significant differences in LDH release between postconditioned and control groups. It can be concluded that neonatal hearts cannot be protected by ischemic postconditioning during first 10 days of postnatal life.
A Comparison of Portal Vein Embolization With Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) and a Histoacryl/Lipiodol Mixture in Patients Scheduled for Extended Right Hepatectomy
Authors: PEREGRIN J. H. , JANOUŠEK R. , KAUTZNEROVÁ D. , OLIVERIUS M. , STICOVÁ E. , PŘÁDNÝ M. , MICHÁLEK J.
Published: April 2020

ght hepatectomy and whether it is as effective as the currently used agent (a histoacryl/lipiodol mixture). Two groups of nine patients each scheduled for extended right hepatectomy for primary or secondary hepatic tumor, had right portal vein embolization in an effort to induce future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy. One group had embolization with PHEMA, the other one with the histoacryl/lipiodol mixture. In all patients, embolization was performed using the right retrograde transhepatic access. Embolization was technically successful in all 18 patients, with no complication related to the embolization agent. Eight patients of either group developed FLR hypertrophy allowing extended right hepatectomy. Likewise, one patient in each group had recanalization of a portal vein branch. Histology showed that both embolization agents reach the periphery of portal vein branches, with PHEMA penetrating somewhat deeper into the periphery. PHEMA has been shown to be an agent suitable for embolization in the portal venous system comparable with existing embolization agent (histoacryl/lipiodol mixture).
proBDNF Is a Major Product of bdnf Gene Expressed in the Perinatal Rat Cortex
Authors: MENSHANOV P. N. , LANSHAKOV D. A. , DYGALO N. N.
Published: April 2020

In the developing brain, mature brain derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) and its precursor (proBDNF) exhibit prosurvival and proapoptotic functions, respectively. However, it is still unknown whether mBDNF or proBDNF is a major form of neurotrophin expressed in the immature brain, as well as if the level of active caspase-3 correlates with the levels of BDNF forms during normal brain development. Here we found that both proBDNF and mBDNF were expressed abundantly in the rat brainstem, hippocampus and cerebellum between embryonic day 20 and postnatal day 8. The levels of mature neurotrophin as well as mBDNF to proBDNF ratios negatively correlated with the expression of active caspase-3 across brain regions. The immature cortex was the only structure, in which proBDNF was the major product of bdnf gene, especially in the cortical layers 2-3. And only in the cortex, the expression of BDNF precursor positively correlated with the levels of active caspase-3. These findings suggest that proBDNF alone may play an important role in the regulation of naturally occurring cell death during cortical development.
Response of Heat Shock Protein 72 to Repeated Bouts of Hyperthermia in Rat Skeletal Muscle
Authors: LEE J. , HIMORI K. , TATEBAYASHI D. , ABE M. , YAMADA T.
Published: April 2020

We investigated the effects of repeated hyperthermic bouts on the heat shock response of heat shock protein (HSP) 72 in skeletal muscle. Rats were assigned to control and hyperthermia groups which were exposed to heated water at 42 °C. The hyperthermia group was further divided into sub-groups: a single bout (H30) or four bouts of hyperthermia for 30 min (H30x4). There was an increase in HSP72 protein content of the H30 groups in both extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles. Moreover, HSP72 protein expression in H30x4 group was significantly higher than in H30 group in both EDL and soleus muscles. The HSP72 mRNA was markedly increased from control levels in the H30 and H30x4 group in both types of muscles. However, HSP72 mRNA of the H30x4 group was lower than that of the H30 group in soleus muscles. Heat shock response of HSP72 is activated even after repeated bouts of hyperthermia, with a differential regulation between muscle types.
Effect of Exercise on Markers of Vascular Health in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: PIŤHA J. , KRÁLOVÁ LESNÁ I. , STÁVEK P. , MAHROVÁ A. , RACEK J. , SEKERKOVÁ A. , TEPLAN V. , ŠTOLLOVÁ M.
Published: April 2020

The cornerstone of cardiovascular risk management is lifestyle intervention including exercise which could exert favorable impact also in renal transplant recipients. Nevertheless, reliable assessment of the effect of lifestyle interventions is complicated and the available data in this population are not consistent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of physical activity on selected laboratory markers of vascular health including circulating stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, microparticles, and plasma asymmetric dimethyl arginine in renal transplant recipients. Nineteen men and 7 women were recruited in 6-month program of standardized and supervised exercise. Control group consisted of 23 men and 13 women of similar age and body mass index not included into the program. One year after the transplantation, the main difference between intervention and control group was found in the change of endothelial progenitor cells (p=0.006). Surprisingly, more favorable change was seen in the control group in which endothelial progenitor cells significantly increased compared to the intervention group. The explanation of this finding might be a chronic activation of reparative mechanisms of vascular system in the population exposed to multiple risk factors which is expressed as relatively increased number of endothelial progenitor cells. Therefore, their decrease induced by exercise might reflect stabilization of these processes.
NADPH Oxidase Activity and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Brain and Kidney of Adult Male Hypertensive Ren-2 Transgenic Rats
Authors: VOKURKOVÁ M. , RAUCHOVÁ H. , ŘEZÁČOVÁ L. , VANĚČKOVÁ I. , ZICHA J.
Published: April 2020

Hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) play an important role in brain control of blood pressure (BP). One of the important mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension is the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. The aim of our present study was to investigate NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide (O2-) production and to search for the signs of lipid peroxidation in hypothalamus and medulla oblongata as well as in renal medulla and cortex of hypertensive male rats transgenic for the murine Ren-2 renin gene (Ren-2 TGR) and their age-matched normotensive controls ‒ Hannover Sprague Dawley rats (HanSD). We found no difference in the activity of NADPH oxidase measured as a lucigenin-mediated O2- production in the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata. However, we observed significantly elevated NADPH oxidase in both renal cortex and medulla of Ren-2 TGR compared with HanSD. Losartan (LOS) treatment (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 2 months (Ren-2 TGR+LOS) did not change NADPH oxidase-dependent O2- production in the kidney. We detected significantly elevated indirect markers of lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in Ren-2 TGR, while they were significantly decreased in Ren-2 TGR+LOS. In conclusion, the present study shows increased NADPH oxidase activities in renal cortex and medulla with significantly increased TBARS in renal cortex. No significant changes of NADPH oxidase and markers of lipid peroxidation were detected in the studied brain regions.
PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR MENGGUNAKAN MODEL PROBLEM-BASED
Authors: Maharani Faddylla Intan , Montessori Maria , Montessori Maria
Published: April 2020

Latar belakang penelitian ini dikarenakan rendahnya kemampuan pemecahan masalah siswa sekolah dasar. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui peningkatan kemampuan pemecahan masalah siswa sekolah dasar menggunakan model problem based learning. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di kelas IV SDN 07 KTK Kota Solok. Peneltian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas dengan menggunakan desain Kemmis dan Mc Taggart. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa kemampuan awal siswa mendapatkan skor rata-rata 45,00, siklus 1 sebesar 68,00 dan siklus 2 sebesar 79,00. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan adanya peningkatan kemampuan pemecahan masalah siswa sekolah dasar dengan menggunakan model problem based learning. Implikasi penelitian dapat dijadikan acuan dalam mengembangkan kemampuan pemecahan masalah siswa sekolah dasar
ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG PRACTISING DENTISTS AND GENERAL PHYSICIANS ABOUT PRESCRIPTION WRITING: A SURVEY
Authors: Desai Ankit , Dabak Samhita , Shah Rohit , Mitra Dipika K
Published: April 2020

The medical prescription is a legal document and prescribing errors may contribute to complications and medico-legal problems. Hence the following study was undertaken to assess and reinforce the prescription writing skills

Aim: To assess the awareness and knowledge among practicing dentists and general physicians about prescription writing.

Objectives:
1)To evaluate the prescription writing skills of practicing dentists and general physicians.
Materials and methods:
1. The Ethical approval was taken.
2.Sample size was calculated to be 330.
3. The doctors were asked to give a written consent and prescribe -
a) Antibiotic
b) Analgesic
c) Antacid
4.The prescriptions were collected and were divided into three Groups BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), MDS (Master in Dental Surgery) and General Physicians.
5.The observations were tabulated and statistical analysis was done.
Results: The results showed that there was statistically significant difference between the three Groups in the criteria of Patient identification, Drug information and Legibility except the Doctors identification criteria.
Conclusion: Awareness of the importance of proper prescription writing for avoiding any complications and reinforcement of prescription writing skills is required.

Keywords: prescription, physicians, practicing dentist
Indications for tooth extraction among elderly in India- A retrospective study
Authors: Kudpi Ramya , Shetty Neetha J. , Gupta Chandni , Jain Mahima , Cowen Howard
Published: April 2020

Background: A few studies have been conducted to understand the reasons for tooth extractions in adult age groups with little attention being paid to the elderly population. The present retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the indications for tooth extraction among elderly. Methodology: A total of 211 records of patients aged above 60 years were reviewed. All the reasons for tooth extraction such as dental caries, periodontitis, trauma, endo- perio lesions beyond salvaging the tooth, prosthetic reason or tooth in the line of radiation were recorded. The chi-square test was applied to check the association between tooth loss to the tabulated data collected for demographic details, oral hygiene practices and medical problems. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 67.19±5.90. Among the study subjects 78(36.3%) were diabetic and 106 (49.3%) were hypertensive. About 59 (28%) had both diabetes and hypertension. There was no statistical significant difference between tooth loss and presence of diabetes or hypertension or both. It was concluded from the study that the primary reason for tooth loss among study subjects was dental caries. About 16 subjects (7.4%) had both dental caries and periodontal disease. Only 20 (9.47%) study subjects had retained at least 20 teeth in the oral cavity. There was statistical significant difference between gender and reason for tooth loss (p=0.02). Conclusion: It can be concluded that dental caries was the main reason for the tooth loss compared to periodontal disease. Key words: Tooth loss, Dental caries, Elderly
Pathogens Associated to Kiwifruit Vine Decline in Italy
Authors: Donati Irene , Cellini Antonio , Sangiorgio Daniela , Caldera Edoardo , Sorrenti Giovambattista , Spinelli Francesco
Published: April 2020

Kiwifruit production has gained great importance in Italy, becoming a strategic crop in several areas. In recent years, the Italian kiwifruit industry has been threatened by the emergence of a new, idiopathic syndrome causing a severe and rapid decline, leading to vine collapse within two years from symptom development. The main symptoms associated to this syndrome are the disappearance of feeding roots, blocking of both stele and xylem vessels, root cortex breakdown, leaf necrosis, phylloptosis, twig wilting and plant death. Kiwifruit decline affects both Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis and A. chinensis var. deliciosa. Due to the similarity with other fruit trees idiopathic diseases, such as the rapid apple decline, we propose to name this disorder as kiwifruit vine decline syndrome (KVDS). The causes of KVDS are still unknown. However, KVDS is prevalent in soils affected by waterlogging or poor aeration, suggesting a physiological origin of this disorder. In addition, our experiments suggested a role of the rhizosphere microbial community, since healthy and KVDS-affected plants show distinct bacterial and fungal communities. Phytophthora spp. and Phytopythium spp. were more frequent in symptomatic plants (58.6%) than in asymptomatic ones (19%). Moreover, Desarmillaria tabescens were found only on symptomatic plants. Inoculation of potted kiwifruit vines with those pathogens resulted in KVDS symptom development. Finally, induced waterlogging conditions increased the incidence of pathogen isolation, but not the symptom development.
Ecosystem (Dis)benefits Arising from Formal and Informal Land-Use in Manchester (UK); a Case Study of Urban Soil Characteristics Associated with Local Green Space Management
Authors: Dennis Matthew , Beesley Luke , Hardman Michael , James Philip
Published: April 2020

Urban soils are subject to anthropogenic influences and, reciprocally, provide benefits and disbenefits to human wellbeing; for example carbon storage, nutrient cycling and the regulation trace element and contaminant mobility. Collective stewardship of urban green commons provides contemporary examples of the diversity of uses and management of green space in cities and represents a growing movement in user participation in, and awareness of, the importance of urban ecological health. Exploring the range of social-ecological benefits exemplified in the urban environment has generally focused on above-ground processes, with few studies examining the potential for (dis)benefits arising from edaphic characteristics of collectively-managed spaces. An investigation into the influence of formal and informal green space management on carbon fluxes and heavy metal concentrations in urban soils was carried out in Manchester (UK) finding that carbon storage in soils of collectively managed urban green commons (7.15 ± 1.42 kg C m−2) was significantly greater than at formally managed sites (for example city parks: 5.08 ± 0.69 kg C m−2), though the latter exhibited reduced losses through CO2 emission. Variation in heavy metal concentrations and mobility were likewise observed, exemplified by the acidification of surface soils by leaf litter at orchard sites, and the resultant increase in the mobility of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The results of this study indicate the importance of small-scale contemporary urban green space management on selected ecosystem services provided by the limited soil resource of cities. Thus, a greater consideration of the effects of horticultural and amenity activities with regards to soil quality/functionality is required to ensure available urban green commons retain or increase their ecological quality over time.
An Optimal Combination of the Propagation Medium and Fogging Duration Enhances the Survival, Rooting and Early Growth of Strawberry Daughter Plants
Authors: Wei Hao , Liu Chen , Ryong Jeong Byoung
Published: April 2020

Runner propagation is an important process in strawberry cultivation, which influences plant survival and fruit yield during the commercial production. In South Korea, this process is carried out on plug tray benches that are set off the ground in greenhouses, rather than in open fields. During the propagation, the propagation media and fogging systems play an important role in the survival and rooting of daughter plants. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences of the different types of propagation media and various fogging treatments on the rooting and early growth of strawberry daughter plants. Two strawberry cultivars—‘Maehyang’ and ‘Seolhyang’—in a glasshouse, grown in four different propagation media-a peat moss-based mixture (PBM), rockwool cube (RWC), granular rockwool (GRW), and a coir-based mixture (CBM)—combined with five fogging durations, 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days were tested. PBM with 9–12 days of fogging was the most ideal combination for the rooting and early growth of daughter plants of the two strawberry cultivars, which increased the ratio of survival and rooting, number of new leaves, root length and maximised the fresh and dry weights of the aboveground and belowground runner biomass. However, fogging treatments shorter than 9 days led to a lower survival rate and rooting. RWC and GRW are not recommended for young plants of these two strawberry cultivars because their strong water-retentive properties could subject the root to water stress, which can lead to root rotting. The purpose of this study is to provide a reference for strawberry growers to improve the quality of plants and efficiency of production during the propagation period.
Five-Year Field Trial of Eight Camelina sativa Cultivars for Biomass to be Used in Biofuel under Irrigated Conditions in a Semi-Arid Climate
Authors: Lohaus Richard H. , Neupane Dhurba , Mengistu Mitiku A. , Solomon Juan K.Q. , Cushman John C.
Published: April 2020

Camelina sativa is a promising oilseed crop used for dietary oil and as a biofuel feedstock. C. sativa is a highly adaptable, cool season crop that can be grown on marginal lands with minimal inputs, making it potentially suitable for growth in Northern Nevada and other cooler and drier semi-arid regions of North America. A five-year (2011 to 2015) field trial was conducted to evaluate the seed yield, oil content, and oil and biodiesel production potential of eight C. sativa cultivars in semi-arid regions of Northern Nevada. Columbia, Cheyenne, Calena, and Blaine Creek were ranked as the top four varieties based on the five-year study of mean seed yield, oil content, and estimated oil and biodiesel production values, although none of the cultivars were significant (p > 0.05). Overall, Columbia displayed the highest seed yield, harvest index, oil yield and potential biodiesel production of 910 kg ha−1, 0.147, 273.4 kg ha−1, and 86.4 L ha−1, respectively, across five growing seasons. For each individual year across the eight cultivars, seed yield, oil content, oil and potential biodiesel production was highest in 2015, and lowest in 2012 and 2013 (the drier years). The seed yields of this study fall within the ranges of yields reported in both the irrigated and rainfed locations of the Western United States. Based on the seed yield, oil, and the estimated oil and biodiesel productivity reported in this study, C. sativa can be grown successfully with supplemental irrigation in semi-arid environments like Nevada.
Erratum: Saeed, E.-A.; Shawky, M.A.; El-Sayed, M.A.-K.; Shymaa, A.H.; Lilian, N.M.; Eman, M.F.; Asmaa, A.K. Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes. Animals 2020, 10, 537
Authors: El-Ashram Saeed , Aboelhadid Shawky M. , Abdel-Kafy El-Sayed M. , Hashem Shymaa A. , Mahrous Lilian N. , Farghly Eman M. , Kamel Asmaa A.
Published: April 2020

The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [...]
To What Extent Are Consumers’ Perception and Acceptance of Alternative Meat Production Systems Affected by Information? The Case of Cultured Meat
Authors: Mancini Maria Cecilia , Antonioli Federico
Published: April 2020

The global meat production system is currently under pressure, particularly for its environmental and animal wellbeing impacts, as well as for the increasing protein demand worldwide. In this regard, cultured meat is currently a hot topic in the industrial, political, and societal arenas, revealing itself as the potential relief for the issues above. However, its high degree of novelty may hamper the extent of consumers’ acceptance. This research assesses for which beliefs concerning intrinsic attributes and positive externalities, the provision of information is a sufficient tool for affecting the perception and acceptance of cultured meat on a panel of Italian consumers. Changes in perception and willingness to try, buy, and pay are assessed by measuring the variation before and after the provision of positive information related to the product. The results show that perception is affected by positive information concerning safety and nutritional characteristics, whereas the opposite occurs regarding the product flavor. Furthermore, findings reveal that, while the willingness to buy increases after providing positive information, the willingness to try does not. Finally, information on intrinsic attributes and positive externalities of the cultured meat would have to be combined with different approaches for further enhancement of consumers’ perception and acceptance.
Precision Betacarotene Supplementation Enhanced Ovarian Function and the LH Release Pattern in Yearling Crossbred Anestrous Goats
Authors: Lopez-Flores Noé M. , Meza-Herrera César A. , Perez-Marin Carlos , Blache Dominique , Arellano-Rodríguez Gerardo , Zuñiga-Garcia Santiago , Navarrete-Molina Cayetano , García De la Peña Cristina , Rosales-Nieto Cesar A. , Veliz-Deras Francisco G.
Published: April 2020

The possible out-of-season effect of beta-carotene supplementation on ovulation rate (OR), antral follicles (AFN), and total ovarian activity (TOA = OR + AFN) as related to the LH release pattern in yearling anestrous goats was evaluated. In late April, Alpine-Saanen-Nubian x Criollo goats (n = 22, 26 N) were randomly allotted to: (1) Beta-carotene (BETA; n = 10, orally supplemented with 50 mg/goat/d; 36.4 ± 1.07 kg live weight (LW), 3.5 ± 0.20 units, body condition score (BCS) or (2) Non-supplemented (CONT; n = 12, 35.2 ± 1.07 kg LW, 3.4 ± 0.2 units BCS). Upon estrus synchronization, an intensive blood sampling (6 h × 15 min) was accomplished in May for LH quantifications; response variables included (pulsatility-PULSE, time to first pulse-TTFP, amplitude-AMPL, nadir-NAD and area under the curve-AUC). Thereafter, an ultrasonography scanning was completed to assess OR and AFN. The Munro algorithm was used to quantify LH pulsatility; if significant effects of time, treatment or interaction were identified, data were compared across time. Neither LW nor BCS (p > 0.05) or even the LH (p > 0.05); PULSE (4.1 ± 0.9 pulses/6 h), NAD (0.47 ± 0.13 ng) and AUC (51.7 ± 18.6 units) differed between treatments. Nonetheless, OR (1.57 vs. 0.87 ± 0.18 units) and TOA (3.44 vs. 1.87 ± 0.45 units) escorted by a reduced TTFP (33 vs. 126 ± 31.9 min) and an increased AMPL (0.55 vs. 0.24 ± 0.9 ng), favored to the BETA supplemented group (p < 0.05), possibly through a GnRH-LH enhanced pathway and(or) a direct effect at ovarian level. Results are relevant to speed-up the out-of-season reproductive outcomes in goats while may embrace translational applications.
Grazing Cow Behavior’s Association with Mild and Moderate Lameness
Authors: O’Leary Niall W. , Byrne Daire. T. , Garcia Pauline , Werner Jessica , Cabedoche Morgan , Shalloo Laurence
Published: April 2020

Accelerometer-based mobility scoring has focused on cow behaviors such as lying and walking. Accuracy levels as high as 91% have been previously reported. However, there has been limited replication of results. Here, measures previously identified as indicative of mobility, such as lying bouts and walking time, were examined. On a research farm and a commercial farm, 63 grazing cows’ behavior was monitored in four trials (16, 16, 16, and 15 cows) using leg-worn accelerometers. Seventeen good mobility (score 0), 23 imperfect mobility (score 1), and 22 mildly impaired mobility (score 2) cows were monitored. Only modest associations with activity, standing, and lying events were found. Thus, behavior monitoring appears to be insufficient to discern mildly and moderately impaired mobility of grazing cows.
Comparative Analysis of CpG Sites and Islands Distributed in Mitochondrial DNA of Model Organisms
Authors: Kowal Krzysztof , Tkaczyk Angelika , Ząbek Tomasz , Pierzchała Mariusz , Ślaska Brygida
Published: April 2020

The information about mtDNA methylation is still limited, thus epigenetic modification remains unclear. The lack of comprehensive information on the comparative epigenomics of mtDNA prompts comprehensive investigations of the epigenomic modification of mtDNA in different species. This is the first study in which the theoretical CpG localization in the mtDNA reference sequences from various species (12) was compared. The aim of the study was to determine the localization of CpG sites and islands in mtDNA of model organisms and to compare their distribution. The results are suitable for further investigations of mtDNA methylation. The analysis involved both strands of mtDNA sequences of animal model organisms representing different taxonomic groups of invertebrates and vertebrates. For each sequence, such parameters as the number, length, and localization of CpG islands were determined with the use of EMBOSS (European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite) software. The number of CpG sites for each sequence was indicated using the newcpgseek algorithm. The results showed that methylation of mtDNA in the analysed species involved mitochondrial gene expression. Our analyses showed that the CpG sites were commonly present in genomic regions including the D-loop, CYTB, ND6, ND5, ND4, ND3, ND2, ND1, COX3, COX2, COX1, ATP6, 16s rRNA, and 12s rRNA. The CpG distribution in animals from different species was diversified. Generally, the number of observed CpG sites of the mitochondrial genome was higher in the vertebrates than in the invertebrates. However, there was no relationship between the frequency of the CpG sites in the mitochondrial genome and the complexity of the analysed organisms. Interestingly, the distribution of the CpG sites for tRNA coding genes was usually cumulated in a larger CpG region in vertebrates. This paper may be a starting point for further research, since the collected information indicates possible methylation regions localized in mtDNA among different species including invertebrates and vertebrates.
Preventing Dog Bites: It Is Not Only about the Dog
Authors: Reese Laura A. , Vertalka Joshua J.
Published: April 2020

Background: Dog bites can have an array of negative health impacts on victims. Research focusing on the correlates of bites focused on limited sets of variables and produced conflicting findings. Objective: To expand knowledge about the correlates of dog bites by exploring a comprehensive set of variables related to the nature of the dog and the circumstances surrounding the bite not commonly explored in extant research. Methods: Data were drawn from police department reports of dog bites in the city of Detroit between 2007–2015; 478 dog bites were reported. Multiple regression was used to determine the significant correlates of dog bites, focusing on the nature of the dog and the circumstances surrounding the bite. Results: Bites were caused by a neighborhood dog. Thirty-two percent of the reports involved dogs running loose; 25% dogs that had escaped from a fenced or unfenced yard; 9% escaped from their home; and 8% had broken off a chain, were being walked, or were in their own home. Based on multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard. Breed of dog was not correlated with bites in multiple regression. Conclusions: The greatest risk of bites does not come from wandering feral dogs. Based on multiple regression, the victim was most likely bitten in their own yard by a single neighborhood dog that escaped from its home or yard. Human error often contributes to bites.
A Radiographic Technique for Assessment of Morphologic Variations of the Equine Caudal Cervical Spine
Authors: Gee Christine , Small Alison , Shorter Kathleen , Brown Wendy Y.
Published: April 2020

Equine Caudal Cervical Morphologic Variation (ECCMV) is a congenital malformation of the caudal cervical spine distinct from the more commonly recognized Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM). The most common presentation of ECCMV is recognized on the sixth cervical vertebra (C6). In “normal” presentations, the transverse processes on the left and right sides have a caudal lamina projecting ventrally below the caudal vertebral body in a heel shape. With ECCMV, variations occur to the structure of the caudal ventral lamina on one or both sides of C6 and may include the seventh cervical (C7) and first thoracic (T1) vertebrae and ribs, in varying configurations. Whereas the prevalence of ECCMV is not known, it has been recognized for many years and has been reported to occur with relatively high frequency within multiple populations of domesticated horses. To date, there is no documented link between the occurrence of ECCMV and clinical signs. However, based on retrospective studies, multiple authors have recognized the potential impact on performance that this condition may have. Establishing a reliable radiographic protocol for the consistent diagnosis of ECCMV would allow quantitative, scientific evaluation of the problem and support clinicians working in this field. We present a radiographic technique, which has been illustrated by diagnosis of ECCMV in three horses and confirmation of the diagnoses in two cases via postmortem examination.
Ameliorative Effects of Antibiotic-, Probiotic- and Phytobiotic-Supplemented Diets on the Performance, Intestinal Health, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality of Clostridium perfringens-Infected Broilers
Authors: Hussein Elsayed O.S. , Ahmed Shamseldein H. , Abudabos Alaeldein M. , Suliman Gamaleldin M. , Abd El-Hack Mohamed E. , Swelum Ayman A. , N. Alowaimer Abdullah
Published: April 2020

The poultry industry needs efficient antibiotic alternatives to prevent necrotic enteritis (NE) infections. Here, we evaluate the effects of probiotic and/or prebiotic dietary supplementation on performance, meat quality and carcass traits, using only an NE coinfection model, in broiler chickens. Three hundred and twenty-four healthy Ross 308 broiler chicks are allocated into six groups. Taking a 35 d feeding trial, the chicks are fed a basal diet with 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 0.12, 0.5 + 0.12, and 0.2 g Kg−1 for the control (T1), Avilamycin (Maxus; T2), live probiotic (CloStat (Bacillus subtilis);T3), natural phytobiotic compounds (Sangrovit Extra (sanguinarine and protopine); T4), CloStat + Sangrovit Extra (T5), and spore probiotic strain (Gallipro Tect (Bacillus subtilis spores); T6) treatments, respectively. Occurring at 15 days-old, chicks are inoculated with Clostridium perfringens. The obtained results reveal that all feed additives improve the performance, feed efficiency, and survival rate, and reduces the intestinal lesions score compared with the control group. The T6 followed by T3 groups show a significant (p < 0.05) increase in some carcass traits, such as dressing, spleen, and thymus percentages compared with other treatments. Also, T5 and T6 have significantly recorded the lowest temperature and pHu values and the highest hardness and chewiness texture values compared to the other treated groups. To conclude, probiotics combined with prebiotic supplementation improves the growth, meat quality, carcass characterization and survival rate of NE-infected broiler chickens by modulating gut health conditions and decreasing lesion scores. Moreover, it could be useful as an ameliorated NE disease alternative to antibiotics in C. perfringens coinfected poultry.
Body Temperature Responses During Phases of Work in Human Remains Detection Dogs Undergoing a Simulated Deployment
Authors: Baker Janice , DeChant Mallory , Jenkins Eileen , Moore George , Kelsey Kathleen , Perry Erin
Published: April 2020

Body temperature responses were recorded during phases of work (waiting-to-work in close proximity to search site, active work in a search site, and post-work recovery crated in vehicle) in human remains detection dogs during search training. State or federally certified human remains detection dogs (n = 8) completed eight iterations of searching across multiple novel search environments to detect numerous scent sources including partial and complete, buried, hidden, or fully visible human remains. Internal temperature (Tgi) of the body was measured continuously using an ingestible thermistor in the gastrointestinal tract. Mean total phase times were: waiting-to-work: 9.17 min (±2.27); active work: 8:58 min (±2:49); and post-work recovery: 24:04 min (±10.59). Tgi was impacted by phase of work (p < 0.001) with a small increase during active work, with mean peak temperature 39.4 °C (±0.34 °C) during that period. Tgi continued to increase for a mean of 6:37 (±6:04) min into the post-work recovery phase in the handler’s vehicle with a mean peak Tgi of 39.66 °C (±0.41 °C). No significant increase in temperature was measured during the waiting-to-work phase, suggesting behaviors typical of anticipation of work did not appear to contribute to overall body temperature increase during the waiting-to-work recovery cycle. Continued increase of gastrointestinal body temperature several minutes after cessation of exercise indicates that risk of heat injury does not immediately stop when the dog stops exercising, although none of the dogs in this study reached clinically concerning body temperatures or displayed any behavioral signs suggestive of pending heat injury. More work is needed to better understand the impact of vehicle crating on post-work recovery temperatures in dogs.
Diurnal Rhythm of Plasma Melatonin Concentration in the Domestic Turkey and Its Regulation by Light and Endogenous Oscillators
Authors: Prusik Magdalena , Lewczuk Bogdan
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to characterize the diurnal rhythm of plasma melatonin (MLT) concentration and its regulation by light and endogenous oscillators in 10-week-old domestic turkeys. Three experiments were performed to examine (i) the course of daily changes in plasma MLT concentration in turkeys kept under a 12 h light: 12 h dark (12L:12D) cycle; (ii) the influence of night-time light exposure lasting 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 h on the plasma MLT level; and (iii) the occurrence of circadian fluctuations in plasma MLT levels in birds kept under continuous dim red light and the ability of turkeys to adapt their pineal secretory activity to a reversed light-dark cycle (12D:12L). The plasma MLT concentration was measured with a direct radioimmunoassay. The plasma MLT concentration in turkeys kept under a 12L:12D cycle changed significantly in a daily rhythm. It was low during the photophase and increased stepwise after the onset of darkness to achieve the maximal level in the middle of the scotophase. Next, it decreased during the second half of the night. The difference between the lowest level of MLT and the highest level was approximately 18-fold. The exposure of turkeys to light during the scotophase caused a rapid, large decrease in plasma MLT concentration. The plasma MLT concentration decreased approximately 3- and 10-fold after 0.5 and 1 h of light exposure, respectively, and reached the day-time level after 2 h of exposure. In turkeys kept under continuous darkness, the plasma MLT level was approximately 2.5-fold higher at 02:00 h than at 14:00 h. In birds kept under 12D:12L, the plasma MLT level was significantly higher at 14:00 h than at 02:00 h. The results showed that plasma MLT concentrations in 10-week-old turkeys have a prominent diurnal rhythm, which is endogenously generated and strongly influenced by environmental light.
Lineal Discrimination of Horses and Mules. A Sympatric Case from Arauca, Colombia
Authors: Salamanca-Carreño Arcesio , Jordana Jordi , Crosby-Granados Rene Alejandro , Bentez-Molano Jannet , Parés-Casanova Pere M.
Published: April 2020

This is the first morphological comparative study between local horses and mules from Arauca, Colombia. It was realized to compare morphological traits between both species by analysing 15 adult mules (7 males and 8 females) and 150 adult horses (137 males and 13 females), with an age interval from 2 to 22 years. Data consisted of 24 different body quantitative traits which can explain the body conformation: thoracic circumference, body length (BL), thoracic depth and width, withers height (WH), sternum height, shoulders width, chest width, forelimb cannon perimeter and length, head length and width, skull length and width, face length and width, ear length and width, loin height, croup height (CrH), width and length, dock height (DoH), and hock height. Heart girth circumference, body length, withers height, croup height, and dock height were the most discriminative traits, showing statistical differences between species. The formula is X = (BL × 0.402) + (WH × 0.323) + (CrH × 0.352) + (DoH × 0.384). A value of X > 184.5 assigns with total certainty that a skeleton belongs to a horse, and if X < 174.0, it is a mule. The proposed formula has a 100% specificity but a 71.4% sensibility for mules and an 84.4% for horses into the rank of 174.0–184.5. Therefore, results demonstrate that some postcranial anatomical elements of Equus could give enough information for a bone differentiation between horses and mules, at least in animals from the Araucan region, but the main interest is that it reflects the possibility to differentiate morphometrically both species from bone remains when horses and mules were sympatric.