bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Company’s Staff in the Context of the New Socioeconomic Reality: The Implementation of the OKR System
Authors:   Kyiv National Economic University named after V. Hetman, Vonberg T. V. , Smaliichuk H. V. ,   Kyiv National Economic University named after V. Hetman, Vasylyk A. V. ,   Kyiv National Economic University named after V. Hetman, Bilyk O. M. ,   Kyiv National Economic University named after V. Hetman
Published: May 2022

In the context of the new socioeconomic reality, there is an urgent need for effective instruments for managing labor productivity, because measuring efficiency in order to respond in time and eliminate shortcomings is the basis of most processes. The aim of the article is to study the systems of personnel evaluation: OKR, МВО, KRI, based on the process of targeting; their delimitation, allocation of advantages and features of application. The necessity of transition to more effective instruments for managing labor productivity in the context of the new socioeconomic reality is substantiated. It is proposed to understand by OKR not just a method of evaluating the company’s staff, but rather a certain management system that allows to focus the team’s efforts on distinguishing and implementing the main and most significant individual goals through the prism of the strategic vision of the development plus the goals of the whole company. The main components of OKR are singled out and characterized: strategic vision, individual goals, action element or initiative and key results. The basic principles of the OKR system are formulated as follows: publicity and accessibility, ambition, concentration on the most important goals and objectives, quarterly basis, key results, systematic feedback, lack of attachment to motivation in the company. The advantages of OKR are distinguished from other staff evaluation systems.
The Marketing Strategies for Forming a Competitive Brand in International Markets
Authors:   Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics, Ivanienko V. V. , Kovalchuk K. V. ,   Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics
Published: May 2022

The article analyzes the essence and features of the application of marketing strategies for the formation of a competitive brand. Both the individual and the distinctive characteristics of the brand are examined. The reasons for the formation of brand relevance are given. It is determined that the brand is an important asset of the company, and the effective development of the company’s strategy should include the determination of the calculation of the trademark capital. A detailed list of components of the brand capital of the enterprise is presented. It is defined that with increasing competition, increasing attention is paid to the activation of the use of the method of promoting goods to the market, the growth of communicative influence on the target segments, an increase in the arsenal of components of the promotion complex through the use of non-standard methods of marketing communications. In the course of the research, the components of the brand are distinguished. A competitive brand is a very important process of the marketing component, bringing the product to the market, creating the face of the company. Given the position of the enterprise in the market and its scale, it is possible to record the growth of brand competitiveness. A research of competitiveness focuses on describing and evaluating component parameters and introducing a competitive advantage among other, existing brands. Branding is a form of diversity of almost identical products in the markets, but with the opposition of individuality. Branding activities are aimed at creating long-term consumer preferences, which include active ways to promote and position a particular product. A competitive brand is a brand that has advantages over other brands in terms of indicators that are characteristics of product competitiveness (quality, price, innovation activity), image and reputation characteristics of products and enterprises, its position in the market.
Development of Digital Marketing in the World and in Ukraine
Authors:   Heavy Value OU, Ihnatenko R. V.
Published: May 2022

The article is aimed at studying the main problems and prospects for the development of digital marketing in the world and in Ukraine. The article defines the essence of the concept of digital marketing and analyzes the main areas of its application, such as: market segmentation, influence marketing, analysis of the behavior of Internet users, collaboration, remarketing, advertising in games. The main parameters by which digital marketing differs from online marketing are determined as follows: the format of interaction with the target audience; ways of collecting and transmitting analytical data; promotion channels and instruments. The dynamics of the main indicators of digital marketing development in the world and in Ukraine is examined. It is found that digital marketing and marketing information systems have become widespread in advanced economies, and in Ukraine these instruments are not used properly, which is associated with a low level of digitalization of society. On the basis of the carried out research, the main factors hindering the development of digital marketing in Ukraine are identified, including: the general state and dynamics of economic development; market underdevelopment; information opacity of the market; financial and organizational restrictions within companies, etc. For a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of digital marketing, the author determines its advantages (interaction with a wider audience; a significant impact on customers, which increases the likelihood of product interest; the ability for the consumer to quickly view information about services and goods; globalization; targeted advertising, etc.) and disadvantages (technical complexity of working with digital tools and lack of employees in the market with the required level of digital qualifications; the need for special skills, etc.). It is concluded that the use of digital technologies in marketing activities opens up broad prospects for enterprises and organizations to preserve regular customers and develop long-term partnerships with them.
The Current Trends in the Stationery Market in Ukraine, Marketing Opportunities and Threats to the Development of Domestic Manufacturers in this Market
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Kuzo N. Y. , Kosar N. S. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Bukavina A. V. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: May 2022

The article defines the main trends in the development of the stationery market in Ukraine, which indicate increased competition on the part of foreign manufacturers of stationery and substitute goods, as such can be considered computers, laptops and tablets. It is also determined that along with this, in recent years, the demand for stationery from consumer organizations has been growing in Ukraine due to the opening of new offices. The competitive advantage of stationery manufacturers is provided primarily by modern equipment and the involvement of professional specialists, a wide range of products offered, its original design and a wide sales network. Based on the analysis of the environment of functioning of domestic stationery manufacturers, it is determined that the main opportunities for their further development are the growth of unemployment and restrictions on consumers regarding the purchase of expensive gifts, the emergence of new consumer needs, the growing importance of service in servicing consumer organizations; threats – rising costs for food products and housing-communal services, reducing consumer incomes, increasing the cost of raw materials and energy carriers. The comparison of opportunities and threats of manufacturers of stationery products allowed to determine the feasibility of using intensive and diversification growth strategies by them. In terms of the implementation of the latter, stationery manufacturers need to constantly develop new products, looking for attractive target segments using the algorithm presented in the article.
Omnichannelty as a Marketing Instrument to Ensure the Competitiveness of Trading Enterprises
Authors:   Rivne State Humanitarian University, Shymko O. V.
Published: May 2022

The article is concerned with studying the peculiarities of omnichannelty as a specific marketing strategy that allows to form the resource, technological, innovative, partnership, competitive advantages and take a stable competitive position in the market and, as the experience of developed countries shows, is a real mechanism for the successful development of trading enterprises in the context of digitalization of the economy, changes in consumer behavior and growing uncertainty of the external environment. The economic essence of omnichannelty as an integrated system of sales channels is disclosed. The author systematizes and expands approaches to its interpretation as one of the tools for managing the trade process, sales model, marketing sales strategy, means of integrated communication, directly integrated marketing, marketing instrument for ensuring competitive advantages. The main trends, problems and prospects for the development of omnichannel trade in the consumer market are considered. The concept of mono-, multi- and omnichannel trade is examined, attention is focused on their differences. The factors contributing to the development of omnichannel sales in retail trade are identified. The advantages and risks of implementation of the omnichannel strategy in the activities of domestic trading enterprises are determined. The main directions of transformation of business processes of retail companies and the business model of offline stores under the conditions of introduction of instant marketing are characterized. Prospects for further research are determined as follows: study of the mechanism and instruments for the formation of information-communication support for the process of managing the omnichannel sales in order to provide feedback in the planning, control and adjustment processes.
Determination of Factors Inhibiting the Physıcal Activity Status of Nursing Students in the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bülbül Tuba , Tosun Betül , Dirgar Ezgi
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic, which is accepted as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has seriously affected life in our country as well as all over the world. Quarantine decisions taken to control the spread of the pandemic caused physical inactivity in people. Especially in the student years, if no direction or intervention is made for insufficient physical activity, it can have negative effects on the health of individuals in the following years. The study, which was designed in descriptive type, was conducted with 261 volunteer students between February and March 2021 in order to determine the factors that prevent the physical activity status of nursing students during the pandemic period. The data were collected online with a questionnaire in which the demographic information and physical activity levels of the participants were questioned, and the 'Physical Activity Barriers Scale' (PABS). Data were given together as number, percentage, median, mean standard deviation, and p<0.05 was accepted as statistical significance level in all statistics. It was found that the mean age of the students was 21.36±1.58, 80.8% were female, 78.2% did not do physical activity, and 47.5% gained weight during this period. The total score they got from PABS was 54.47±13.13. During this period, the students living in the village, having low income and gaining weight had higher PABS scores (p = 0.05). It is recommended that these students, who will serve in the field of health, be given self-skill training that they should not neglect physical activity even if their conditions change.
Sequential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, Flt-1, and KDR/Flk-1 in regenerating mouse skeletal muscle
Authors: Wagatsuma A , Tamaki H , Ogita F
Published: May 2022

We investigated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1) during muscle regeneration by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR. On days 5 and 7 after the induction of injury, VEGF and Flt-1 were detected in the cytoplasm and KDR/Flk-1 in the cytoplasm and on cell membranes of the same regenerating muscle fibers. The levels of these proteins in the regenerating muscle fibers gradually decreased until day 20. In contrast, these proteins were not detected in the fibers of normal muscle. This suggests that regenerating muscle fibers express VEGF and its receptors in response to injury. In addition, we found that the VEGF mRNA transcript transiently increased after 12 h of muscle injury and then returned to the basal levels observed in normal muscles on day 1. The expression of Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 mRNA transcripts also peaked on day 3 and then returned to the basal levels observed in normal muscles on day 10. These findings suggest that regenerating muscle fibers are an important source of VEGF and that VEGF signaling through Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 may be involved in the process of muscle regeneration in vivo.
Hepcidin mRNA levels in mouse liver respond to inhibition of erythropoiesis
Authors: Vokurka M , Krijt J , Šulc K , Nečas E
Published: May 2022

Hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, decreases intestinal absorption of iron and its release from macrophages. Iron, anemia, hypoxia, and inflammation were reported to influence hepcidin expression. To investigate regulation of the expression of hepcidin and other iron-related genes, we manipulated erythropoietic activity in mice. Erythropoiesis was inhibited by irradiation or posttransfusion polycythemia and stimulated by phenylhydrazine administration and erythropoietin. Gene expression of hepcidin and other iron-related genes (hemojuvelin, DMT1, ferroportin, transferrin receptors, ferritin) in the liver was measured by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Hepcidin expression increased despite severe anemia when hematopoiesis was inhibited by irradiation. Suppression of erythropoiesis by posttransfusion polycythemia or irradiation also increased hepcidin mRNA levels. Compensated hemolysis induced by repeated phenylhydrazine administration did not change hepcidin expression. The decrease caused by exogenous erythropoeitin was blocked by postirradiation bone marrow suppression. The hemolysis and anemia decrease hepcidin expression only when erythropoiesis is functional; on the other hand, if erythropoiesis is blocked, even severe anemia does not lead to a decrease of hepcidin expression, which is indeed increased. We propose that hepcidin is exclusively sensitive to iron utilization for erythropoiesis and hepatocyte iron balance, and these changes are not sensed by other genes involved in the control of iron metabolism in the liver.
Effects of caffeine at different temperatures on contractile properties of slow-twitch and fast-twitch rat muscles
Authors: Wondmikun Y , Soukup T , Asmussen G
Published: May 2022

The slow-twitch soleus muscle (SOL) exhibits decreased twitch tension (cold depression) in response to a decreased temperature, whereas the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle shows enhanced twitch tension (cold potentiation). On the other hand, the slow-twitch SOL muscle is more sensitive to twitch potentiation and contractures evoked by caffeine than the fast-twitch EDL muscle. In order to reveal the effects of these counteracting conditions (temperature and caffeine), we have studied the combined effects of temperature changes on the potentiation effects of caffeine in modulating muscle contractions and contractures in both muscles. Isolated muscles, bathed in a Tyrode solution containing 0.1-60 mM caffeine, were stimulated directly and isometric single twitches, fused tetanic contractions and contractures were recorded at 35 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Our results showed that twitches and tetani of both SOL and EDL were potentiated and prolonged in the presence of 0.3-10 mM caffeine. Despite the cold depression, the extent of potentiation of the twitch tension by caffeine in the SOL muscle at 20 degrees C was by 10-15 % higher than that at 35 degrees C, while no significant difference was noted in the EDL muscle between both temperatures. Since the increase of twitch tension was significantly higher than potentiation of tetani in both muscles, the twitch-tetanus ratio was enhanced. Higher concentrations of caffeine induced contractures in both muscles; the contracture threshold was, however, lower in the SOL than in the EDL muscle at both temperatures. Furthermore, the maximal tension was achieved at lower caffeine concentrations in the SOL muscle at both 35 degrees C and 20 degrees C compared to the EDL muscle. These effects of caffeine were rapidly and completely reversed in both muscles when the test solution was replaced by the Tyrode solution. The results have indicated that the potentiation effect of caffeine is both time- and temperature-dependent process that is more pronounced in the slow-twitch SOL than in the fast-twitch EDL muscles.
Selected immunological changes in patients with Goeckerman’s therapy TNF-alpha, sE-selectin,
sP-selectin, sICAM-1 and IL-8
Authors: Borská L , Fiala Z , Krejsek J , Andrýs C , Vokurková D , Hamáková K , Kremláček J , Ettler K
Published: May 2022

Psoriasis is one of the most frequent inflammatory skin diseases in which abnormal individual immune reactivity plays an important role. The aim of the present study was to describe selected immunological changes, concerning pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-8) and adhesion molecules (sE-selectin, sP-selectin, sICAM-1), in 56 patients cured by Goeckerman's therapy (GT). GT includes dermal application of crude coal tar (containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and exposure to UV radiation. When compared with the control group (healthy blood donors), the patients before GT had significantly increased serum levels of sE-selectin (p<0.001), sP-selectin (p<0.001), sICAM-1 (p<0.001) and IL-8 (p<0.001). Significantly decreased serum levels of sE-selectin (p<0.05) and significantly increased serum levels of IL-8 (p<0.05) were found after GT therapy. Serum levels of sICAM significantly correlated with the disease activity and with serum levels of sE-selectin. The level of PASI score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) significantly decreased after GT (p<0.001) and confirms the high efficiency GT. These findings confirmed that pro-inflammatory chemokine (IL-8) and adhesion molecules (sE-selectin, sP-selectin, sICAM-1) play an important role in the development and regulation of inflammation in psoriasis. Determination of sE-selectin and sICAM seems to be a promising marker of psoriasis's activity. Chemokine pathway (IL-8) and TNF-alpha activity seem to be modulated by Goeckerman's therapy (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
Erythrocyte ion transport in rats subjected to acute and chronic hypobaric hypoxia
Authors: Rauchová H , Vokurková M , Dobešová Z , Kuneš J , Zicha J
Published: May 2022

Our study addresses selected parameters of rat erythrocyte ion transport (Na(+)-K(+) pump, Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport, and passive cation fluxes) after acute or chronic hypoxia exposure. We did not find any significant change of ion transport after acute hypoxia. However, chronic hypoxia could modify ion transport because the affinity of Na(+)-K(+) pump for intracellular Na(+) seems to be decreased.
CD8+ natural killer cells have a potential of a sensitive and reliable biodosimetric marker in vitro
Authors: Vokurková D , Šinkora J , Vávrová J , Řezáčová M , Knížek J , Östereicher J
Published: May 2022

The aim of our work was to evaluate peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets as in vitro indicators of the received dose of ionizing radiation (biodosimetric markers) in the range of 3-20 Gy and to determine the appropriate time interval, during which a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis occurs upon gamma irradiation. In lymphocyte subsets characterized by double color surface immunophenotyping, four-color flow cytometry was used for visualizing cell death-associated increase in superficial phosphatidylserine exposure and cytoplasmic membrane permeability by fluorinated Annexin V and propidium iodide, respectively. No differences between sham-treated and lethal dose (7 Gy)-irradiated samples were observed upon 6 h cultivation in vitro. Ten and 18 h later, about 50 % of lymphocytes were apoptotic, but only the minority of them was in the late apoptotic phase. The only difference in radioresistance of the CD4(+)CD8(-) and CD4(-)CD8(+) lymphocyte subsets was seen upon 2-day cultivation when huge depletion of intact cells and prevalence of the late apoptotic population became obvious. A dose-dependence study in 16 and 48 h cultures confirmed the effectiveness of major T cell subsets as biodosimetric indicators. On the other hand, the minor CD8(+) subset of natural killer (NK) cells has been identified as a radiosensitive lymphocyte population the disappearance of which correlated with the received dose. We demonstrated that the CD3(-)CD8(+)NK subset can be used as a lethal/sublethal dose discriminator to 16 h cultivation. In addition, our data indicate that two-day cultivation followed by CD3/CD8 expression analysis in an intact lymphocyte population may provide a clue for low dosage biodosimetry.
Bosna Hersek Devletinin Yönetsel Yapısı
Authors: LAMBA Mustafa , HİSOĞLU KOÇ Tuğçe
Published: May 2022

Tarihsel olarak, Bosna-Hersek'te üç büyük etnik grup bulunmaktadır. Bunlar: Boşnaklar (Müslümanlar), Hırvatlar (Katolik Hıristiyanlar) ve Sırplar (Ortodoks Hıristiyanlar)’dır. Bölgede bu üç etnik grup arasındaki gerilim hiç sona ermemiş ve oldukça kanlı savaşlara neden olmuştur. Gerilimin sona ermesi için uluslararası baskılar sonucu üç etnik grup arasında Dayton Barış Anlaşması imzalanmıştır. Dayton Barış Anlaşmasıyla; mevcut anayasal düzen, oldukça parçalanmış, güçlü etnik güç paylaşımı hükümlerine sahip “karmaşık federalist” bir sistem haline gelmiştir. Oluşturulan bu sistemle Bosna Hersek içerisinde; Bosna Hersek Federasyonu, Sırp Cumhuriyeti ve Brčko özerk bölgesi yer almaktadır. Bosna Hersek’te ki karmaşık etnik yapı sebebiyle çözüm olarak görülen yeni yönetsel yapı yönetsel sorunları da beraberinde getirmektedir. Çünkü oluşturulan bu yönetsel yapı parçalı ve karmaşık iktidar yapısıdır. Çalışmanın temel amacı Bosna Hersek’te, Dayton Barış Anlaşması öncesi sürece de yer vererek, oluşturulan yeni yönetsel yapı hakkında bilgi vermek ve bu anlaşmanın yönetsel yapı üzerindeki etkileri üzerine bir değerlendirme yapmaktır. Bu değerlendirme neticesinde Bosna Hersek’te siyasi makamların sayısının aşırılığı ve yönetsel yapıya önemli müdahalelerde bulunabilecek Yüksek Temsilciler Ofisinin varlığının yönetsel yapıda büyük bir sorun teşkil ettiği sonucuna varılmıştır. Ayrıca, halkın üzerinde anlaşarak kabul ettiği bir Anayasa’ya sahip olmamaları sorun çözmekten ziyade sorun yaratan bir yönetsel yapı ortaya çıkarmıştır.
Yeşil Kent Ekonomisi ve Sakin Şehirlerde Uygulanabilirliğinin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: DAĞDEVİREN Tuğçe , YAYLI Hasan
Published: May 2022

Ekolojik kıtlıkları ve çevresel riskleri azaltmaya bunun yanında, refahı ve sosyal eşitliği destekleyen yeni ve yeşil bir sosyo-ekonomik sisteme vurgu yapan yeşil ekonomi, sürdürülebilir kalkınma kavramının tamamlayıcısı olarak son yıllarda daha sık ele alınmaya başlanmıştır. Paris Anlaşması ve ardından daha uzun vadeli bir adımı içeren Avrupa Yeşil Mutabakatı kabul edilmiş ve Türkiye’de de iklim duyarlı adımlar hızlandırılarak Yeşil Mutabakat Eylem Planı yayımlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada hem eylem planlarından hem de yeşil ekonomi kavramından hareketle kentsel alanların yeşil ekonomi açısından öneminin vurgulandığı çeşitli kaynaklardan yola çıkılarak yeşil kent ekonomileri incelenmiştir. Yeşil kent ekonomilerin vurguladığı temel hedefler ve vurgular belli başlıklar halinde bir araya getirilerek sakin şehir kriterleri ile bağdaştırılmaya çalışılmıştır. Sonuç olarak bu çalışmada yeşil kent ekonomilerinin sakin şehirlerde uygulanabilirliği irdelenmiştir. Çalışma akademik yazına katkı sağlayacaktır.
Understanding the Impact of Liquid Organic Fertilisation and Associated Application Techniques on N2, N2O and CO2 Fluxes from Agricultural Soils
Authors: Grosz Balázs , Kemmann Björn , Burkart Stefan , Petersen Søren O. , Well Reinhard
Published: May 2022

The prediction of liquid manure effects on N transformations in soils and the associated N2O and N2 fluxes is poor because previous investigations have mostly excluded N2. The objectives of this study were thus to quantify N2, N2O and CO2 fluxes, the source processes of N2O, N2O reduction and the depth distribution of moisture, NO3−, NH4+, water-extractable organic carbon concentration and pH in a laboratory incubation study with sandy arable soil using 15N tracing to quantify N processes and gaseous fluxes. The soil was amended with and without artificial slurry in various manure treatments (control, surface and injected) and incubated for 10 days at varying moisture levels, where the depth distribution of control parameters was determined twice during the experiment. Manure application was found to increase N2 and N2O fluxes from denitrification, with the highest fluxes occurring in the wet manure injection treatment (33 ± 32 mg N m−2 d−1 and 36.1 ± 39.1 mg N m−2 d−1, respectively), confirming that manure injection under wet conditions enhances denitrification and possibly also N2O fluxes. This study concluded that the current dataset is suitable as a first step towards improving the capability of biogeochemical models to predict manure application effects, but further studies with more soils and refined experiments are needed.
Residual Effects of Different Cropping Systems on Physicochemical Properties and the Activity of Phosphatases of Soil
Authors: Wesołowska Sylwia , Futa Barbara , Myszura Magdalena , Kobyłka Agata
Published: May 2022

Soil plays a key role in sustainable land management and food production. The objective of the field experiment was to evaluate the subsequent effect of 10-year winter wheat and sugar beet cultivation under conventional and organic systems on selected physicochemical and biochemical properties and enzymatic pH index of lessive soil developed from loess under climatic conditions of Southeastern Poland. The experiment was set up by using the split-plot design, with three replications, on plots of 30 m2. In order to evaluate the soil value of sites cultivated in 2010–2019 in two systems—conventional agriculture and organic agriculture—spring wheat was sown as a test crop in 2020. Fertilization and pesticide applications (herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) were foregone in the cultivation of this crop due to the desire to capture the subsequent impact of 2010–2019. This resulted in soil properties shaped solely by the previous 10 years of cultivation. The obtained results indicate that the organic farming system contributed to the improvement of soil pHKCl compared to the conventional system, with statistically significant differences recorded only for winter wheat cultivation. Compared to the conventional system, in the organic farming system, improvements were recorded in the chemical indicators of loess soil quality (TOC, TN and TOC/TN) and P content, as well as acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities. However, statistically significant differences were found only for winter wheat cultivation. Research on the impact of an organic system of growing different species in rotation should be continued, and the results should be implemented.
Insights into Rural Stress: Using the Community Capitals Framework to Help Inform Rural Policies and Interventions
Authors: Lamm Kevan W. , Powell Alyssa , Borron Abigail , Atkins Keith , Hollifield Stephanie
Published: May 2022

Communities in rural America have experienced significant decline over the past century. Professionals working within these communities, such as extension or community development professionals, may leverage their position as trusted sources to decrease negative outcomes associated with novel and emerging societal problems, such as rural stress. This study was grounded in the community capitals framework and sought to examine the importance of capitals relative to the perception of rural stress. A sample of extension agents from a southeastern land-grant university in the United States provided rating and ranking data. A modified Borda Count and weighted ranking score were computed to generate a heuristic ranking of capitals relative to importance to rural stress. Human and natural capital were consistently regarded as highly important, while cultural and built–financial capital were consistently sorted to the bottom. Therefore, human and natural capital may represent critical entry points for professionals to develop programming related to rural stress perceptions and coping mechanisms. Overall, the results of this study support the continued use of the community capitals framework to guide community development strategies that address rural stress concerns and provides evidence to inform rural development policies and interventions. Such strategies should involve community members to facilitate an inside-out approach and develop sustainable solutions based on local knowledge and needs.
Effect of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes Supplementation or Functional Feed Additives on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation of Chemically Pre-Treated Sunflower Heads
Authors: Jabri Jihene , Ammar Hajer , Abid Khalil , Beckers Yves , Yaich Héla , Malek Atef , Rekhis Jamel , Morsy Amr Salah , Soltan Yosra Ahmed , Soufan Walid , Almadani Mohamad Isam , Chahine Mireille , Marti Mario E. de Haro , Okla Mohammad K. , Kamoun Mohamed
Published: May 2022

This study aims to provide possible utilization of sunflower head byproduct (SFH) as a feedstuff by implementing chemical pretreatments (4% sodium hydroxide (SFHNaOH) or 4% urea (SFHurea) and supplementation with either exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) or functional feed additive (FFA). The experimental EFE was a complex (1:1, v/v) of two enzyme products with high activity of β-1,3-1,4-glucanase and endo-1,4-β-D-xylanase and applied at 0 (SFHout), 1, 2, 5, and 10 µL/ gdry matter, while FFA was a fermentation byproduct rich in cellulase and xylanase activities, applied at 0 (SFHout), 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/g DM. SFHurea had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) content compared to other SFH substrates. Linear enhancements (p < 0.05) in kinetics of gas production (GP), metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations were observed for all SFH substrates supplemented with EFE. The SFHout had the highest (p < 0.05) potential GP, maximum rate (Rmax) of GP, ME, OMD and SCFAs. Supplementation of EFE was more pronounced than FFA in affecting the kinetic parameters of in vitro GP for all SFH substrates. SFHout supplemented with EFE seems to be the most promising substrate to enhance microbial fermentation in vitro.
Adventitious Root Culture—An Alternative Strategy for Secondary Metabolite Production: A Review
Authors: Khanam Mehrun Nisha , Anis Mohammad , Javed Saad Bin , Mottaghipisheh Javad , Csupor Dezső
Published: May 2022

Medicinal plants are valuable sources of botanical drugs, extracts and pure compounds. Although several species can be propagated or collected, the access to herbal material is limited in certain cases. The protection of natural habitats and biodiversity demands new sources to provide plant secondary metabolites of medical importance. Adventitious root culture is used to harvest the secondary metabolites from the medicinally important plants, thereby offering an alternative to collection and propagation of medicinal plants. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the previously published data on the use of adventitious root cultures for numerous therapeutic plants. Adventitious roots showed elevated growth rates and production of pharmaceutically important metabolites under sterilized condition with optimized plant-growth regulators in culture media. In the present study, major influencing factors, such as the stages involved in the process of adventitious root formation, medium composition and type of growth regulators, specifically the effect of different auxins on the initiation and formation of roots, are discussed. Elicitation strategies using biotic (yeast extracts, chitosan and pectin) and abiotic factors (MJ, SA, CuSO4, AgNO3, NaCl) that affect the in vitro growth of adventitious roots and the role of bioreactors, which are new advancements in the scale-up process, are also highlighted. The development of adventitious root cultures for the production of secondary metabolites of medicinal importance is a perspective that is advantageous from ecological and economical aspects as well.
The Effects of Catch Crops on Properties of Continuous Cropping Soil and Growth of Vegetables in Greenhouse
Authors: Qi Yingbin , Zhou Rong , Nie Lanchun , Sun Mintao , Wu Xiaoting , Jiang Fangling
Published: May 2022

Continuous cropping has become a key factor limiting the sustainable development of greenhouse vegetables. It is a matter of great importance to maintain and improve the effective fertility of greenhouse soil. Catch crops planted as green manure is an effective method to improve soil quality. In order to determine the effects of catch crops on soil characteristics and the growth of afterculture vegetables, onion, corn, wheat, soybean and cabbage were planted as catch crops for two years during the summer fallow season, with no catch crop as CK. The results showed that the total porosity and organic matter content of the soil, with corn and wheat as catch crops, was significantly increased by 2.93%, 5.25% and 21.32%, 51.61%, respectively, while pH was decreased, compared with CK. The urease, sucrase, invertase, catalase and FDA enzyme activity of the soil with corn and wheat as catch crops was significantly increased by 30.14% and 30.21%, 14.81% and 25.31%, 15.43% and 15.21%, 29.37% and 28.69%, 46.32% and 44.23%. Meanwhile, the enzyme activity of the soil was increased with each catch crop planted. The amount of culturable bacteria and actinomycetes in the soil with corn and wheat as catch crops was increased by 33.42% and 38.12% at the period of 150dayII, while fungi was decreased by 59.95%. The yield of vegetables with corn and wheat as catch crops significantly increased by 5.59~13.33% and 4.35~11.18% compared with CK. Overall, catch crops could improve the soil quality as well as the growth of afterculture vegetables.
Exogenous Applications of Spermidine Improve Drought Tolerance in Seedlings of the Ornamental Grass Hordeum jubatum in Northeast China
Authors: Tian Jingyao , Zhao Yi , Pan Yuqiao , Chen Xiaoxuan , Wang Yingnan , Lin Jixiang , Wang Jinghong , Yang Qingjie
Published: May 2022

Hordeum jubatum L. is a potential ornamental grass species. Spermidine (Spd) plays a regulatory role in plant stress. This study measured seedling growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, osmotic regulatory substance contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities in H. jubatum seedlings pretreated with Spd (0–1.5 mM at 0.5 mM intervals) in drought treatments simulating natural water loss. The results indicated that the water content, photosynthetic parameters maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), actual quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PSII (ϕPSII), and photochemical quenching coefficient (qp) values of H. jubatum shoots decreased significantly with increasing drought intensity. Simultaneously, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the nonphotochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) value increased. Spd improved growth and photosynthesis under drought stress. Spd also increased osmotic regulatory substance contents and antioxidant enzyme activities. These results suggest that the drought stress inhibited the growth of H. jubatum and damaged the photosynthetic systems, triggering a range of protective responses. Exogenous Spd mitigated the damage by promoting a variety of responses and adaptive mechanisms, such as adjusting stomatal conductance, promoting photosynthetic capacity, accelerating the synthesis of osmoregulatory molecules, and activating antioxidant enzyme systems. Additionally, 1.5 mM Spd-treated H. jubatum had the best drought tolerance. This study will help to develop an understanding of the effects of exogenous Spd on improving drought resistance and provide a strategy for the H. jubatum landscape effect to be achieved under water-limited conditions.
Chitosan Oligosaccharide Lactate Increases Productivity and Quality of Baby Leaf Red Perilla
Authors: Salachna Piotr , Łopusiewicz Łukasz
Published: May 2022

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, is used as a spicy culinary herb leafy vegetable as well as medicinal and ornamental plant. However, little is known about protocols for baby leaf perilla production. Native chitosan is a well-known biostimulant used in crop plant production. Nevertheless, the influence of water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide lactate (ChOL) on plant growth and bioactive compounds content remains unknown. The present pot experiment determines the effects of ChOL (0, 50 and 100 mg/L) on growth and selected biochemical characteristics of baby leaf red perilla. Compared to the untreated plants, ChOL application at 50 and 100 mg/L increased plant height (by 14.6% and 13.2%), the fresh weight of the above-ground part of plants (by 17.1% and 26.7%), leaves (by 21.8% and 35.5%) and roots (by 52.2%). The levels of total reducing sugars, polyphenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins in perilla leaves were significantly higher in all plants treated with ChOL at all tested concentrations. This was confirmed by macromolecules (FT-IR) studies showing higher band intensity for key functional groups in leaf samples. The application of ChOL also enhanced the antioxidant activity by using DPPH, ABTS and O2− radical scavenging activity assays. Based on the research, results suggested that ChOL may be used an effective plant biostimulant for high quality production of baby leaf red perilla.
Agri-Food Waste as a Method for Weed Control and Soil Amendment in Crops
Authors: Lorenzo Paula , Guilherme Rosa , Barbosa Sara , Ferreira António J. D. , Galhano Cristina
Published: May 2022

The continued and extensive use of synthetic herbicides to control weeds to maximize crop yield is no longer sustainable, as it results in negative impacts on the environment and human health. Innovative sustainable and resilient food production systems should preserve resources and environmental health by incorporating alternative natural herbicides, recycling waste, and favoring a circular economy. The present work assesses the value of different organic waste (Urtica dioica residues, Vicia faba pods, spent coffee grounds, and corn cobs) as bioherbicides and fertilizers in different seasons through pot and field two-year sequential experiments. Pot assays revealed that V. faba pods, spent coffee grounds, and corn cob waste showed the best inhibitory effect, which were subsequently evaluated in the Spring–Summer and Autumn crops. In the field, spent coffee grounds reduced the biomass of total naturally-emerged weeds and stimulated crop growth under scarce rainfall and warm days. However, its effect varied under different environmental conditions. Spent coffee grounds can partially control weeds in the field, which valorizes them as a bioherbicide and boosts sustainable agriculture.
Tillage, Water and Nitrogen Management Strategies Influence the Water Footprint, Nutrient Use Efficiency, Productivity and Profitability of Rice in Typic Ustochrept Soil
Authors: Tyagi Saurabh , Naresh Rama Krishna , Bhatt Rajan , Chandra Mandapelli Sharath , Alrajhi Abdullah A. , Dewidar Ahmed Z. , Mattar Mohamed A.
Published: May 2022

The current study was conducted to assess how optimal tillage water and nitrogen management system are adopted to reduce various field inputs, to improve water footprint (WF), nutrient use efficiency (NUE), rice productivity and profitability. The W1 (CS to a depth of 5 cm) achieved significantly higher total water footprint (TWFP) compared to all other irrigation strategies. When N1 (control) and N2 (80 kg N ha−1) was used, the highest TWFP was observed. The rice transplanted on wide raised beds (WBed-TPR) (0.71 kg m−3) yielded the greatest water productivity (WPIRRI), followed by reduced tillage transplanted rice (RT-TPR) and conventional tillage puddled transplanted rice (CT-TPR). The physiological NUE values ranged from 33.3 to 50.6 kg grain/kg N absorption, the values decreasing as the N doses rose. According to the findings, WBed-TPR and RT-TPR plots similarly drank more moisture from the deeper profile layer than CT-TPR practice. In plots of CT-TPR and WBed-TPR, the yield contributing characteristics of rice all increased, while grain yield increased by 16.8% and 10.6% over NBed-TPR technique, respectively. Finally, CT-TPR reported with maximum cultivation costs, followed by NBed-TPR and the lowest in RT-TPR plots, although WBed-TPR had the highest net profit, B: C ratio.
Effects of Implanting Exogenous Melatonin 40 Days before Lambing on Milk and Colostrum Quality
Authors: Canto Francisco , González Eloi , Abecia José Alfonso
Published: May 2022

The effects of exogenous melatonin implanted before lambing on the quality of colostrum and milk yield were quantified in 715 ewes. Forty days before lambing, 246 ewes (1M) received a melatonin implant; another 137 ewes (2M) received two implants, and the remaining 332 ewes (C) did not receive an implant (control). Milk analysis was based on individual monthly milk samplings (June, July, and August) after lambing. A colostrum sample was collected from 303 ewes (118 1M; 73 2M; and 112 C), and IgG concentrations were measured. Ewes implanted with melatonin had higher (p < 0.01) daily milk yield (DMY) in the three samplings than the C ewes. On average, 1M ewes produced more milk (p < 0.05) than ewes in the other two groups, and 2M ewes produced significantly (p < 0.05) more milk than C ewes. In the first and third controls, ewes that received two melatonin implants had a lower (p < 0.05) SCC than C and 1M ewes, and in the second sampling, 1M and 2M ewes had a lower (p < 0.01) SCC than C ewes. Ewes that received melatonin implants had a higher (p < 0.01) IgG concentration (21.61 ± 1.03 mg/mL) than non-implanted ewes (16.99 ± 1.13 mg/mL); 2M ewes had the highest IgG levels. In conclusion, ewes that received a melatonin implant 40 d before lambing produced colostrum that had a higher IgG concentration than the colostrum from nonimplanted ewes, and produced more milk, which had a lower SCC. The effect on SCC was prolonged if the sheep received a second melatonin implant.
Effects of Fat Type and Exogenous Bile Acids on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Lipid Metabolism and Breast Muscle Fatty Acid Composition in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Geng Shixia , Zhang Yuxin , Cao Aizhi , Liu Ying , Di Yuting , Li Juntao , Lou Qianqian , Zhang Liying
Published: May 2022

The current study aimed to explore the effects of fat type and exogenous bile acids (BAs) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, lipid metabolism, and breast muscle fatty acids composition in broiler chickens. A total of 432 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were stochastically distributed to a 2 × 2 factorial design comprised of two fat types (soybean oil and lard) and two levels of BAs (0 and 80 mg/kg) included in diets, totaling 4 treatments of 6 replicate pens with 18 chicks per replicate pen. Compared with treatments with soybean oil, dietary inclusion of lard increased the digestibility of ether extract (EE) in diets and the percentage of breast muscle on d 42, and increased the level of serum triglycerides and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity on d 21 (p < 0.05). The level of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and the n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio in breast muscle were also increased (p < 0.05) when feeding lard versus soybean oil. Dietary supplementation with BAs elevated average daily gain and reduced the ratio of feed to gain at d 0–21 and 0–42, significantly (p < 0.05). The digestibility of EE in diets and the percentage of breast muscle on d 42 were also increased by BAs (p < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol content as well as the percentage of abdominal fat on d 42, and ALT activity on d 21 were decreased when BAs were fed (p < 0.05). The concentration of total fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, and MUFAs of breast muscle were decreased by BAs. These results indicate that BAs can increase growth performance and nutrient digestibility, elevate carcass characteristics, and improve lipid metabolism, and their effects on nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics were more pronounced in broiler chickens fed diets with lard.
Effects of a Ceiling Fan Ventilation System and THI on Young Limousin Bulls’ Social Behaviour
Authors: Parrini Silvia , Sirtori Francesco , Fabbri Maria Chiara , Dal Prà Aldo , Crovetti Alessandro , Bozzi Riccardo
Published: May 2022

The study investigated the relationship between the temperature humidity index (THI) and the behaviour of 24 young fattening Limousin bulls reared in two farms in Tuscany, Italy. In each farm, six animals were undergone to ceiling fans (switched on at THI values up to 72), and six animals represented the control group. The trial lasted three days for two consecutive weeks in August 2020. Behavioural observations were conducted using scan sampling technique and eating, ruminating, drinking, resting and other social activities were registered every 5 min, from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm. Two different microclimatic conditions were evaluated to assess the effect of the ventilation system: normal (THI < 78) and alert (THI ≥ 78) conditions. Results showed that the ventilation system had significant effects increasing inactivity and lying down compared to control groups and decreasing eating and drinking activities. THI alert condition caused a significant decrease in eating and an increase in lying down behaviours. Ventilation system did not influence the animals’ cleanliness. The ceiling fans’ efficiency in changing the behaviour of young fattening bulls was demonstrated but further studies are needed to assess the ventilation system effects, especially during longer heat stress periods.
Wolf Dispersal Patterns in the Italian Alps and Implications for Wildlife Diseases Spreading
Authors: Marucco Francesca , Pilgrim Kristine L. , Avanzinelli Elisa , Schwartz Michael K. , Rossi Luca
Published: May 2022

Wildlife dispersal directly influences population expansion patterns, and may have indirect effects on the spread of wildlife diseases. Despite its importance to conservation, little is known about dispersal for several species. Dispersal processes in expanding wolf (Canis lupus) populations in Europe is not well documented. Documenting the natural dispersal pattern of the expanding wolf population in the Alps might help understanding the overall population dynamics and identifying diseases that might be connected with the process. We documented 55 natural dispersal events of the expanding Italian wolf alpine population over a 20-year period through the use of non-invasive genetic sampling. We examined a 16-locus microsatellite DNA dataset of 2857 wolf samples mainly collected in the Western Alps. From this, we identified 915 individuals, recaptured 387 (42.3%) of individuals, documenting 55 dispersal events. On average, the minimum straight dispersal distance was 65.8 km (±67.7 km), from 7.7 km to 517.2 km. We discussed the potential implications for maintaining genetic diversity of the population and for wildlife diseases spreading.