bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The energy value of olive oil soap stocks for Iberian crossbred pigs
Authors: ROJAS-CANO María Luz , RUIZ-GUERRERO Virginia , HARO Ana , LARA Luis , NIETO Rosa , AGUILERA Jose Fernando
Published: November 2024

Twenty four Iberian × Duroc 50:50 barrows of 50 kg initial body weight (BW) were placed in individual pens and allotted to 4 dietary treatments in which olive oil soap stocks (OSS) replaced 0, 25, 50 and 75 g/kg of a basal diet based on barley, corn, soyabean meal and wheat middlings. The apparent digestibility of nutrients and the N balance were studied. In a second experiment, sixteen pigs in the finishing stage of growth were randomly allotted to two experimental diets containing 12.5 and 62.5 g of OSS/kg in replacement of the basal diet. Daily feed allowance was fixed at 0.90 × ad libitum intake, in two equal meals. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein (CP), crude fat (ether extract; EE) and gross energy (GE) was not altered by the level of OSS dietary inclusion, remaining at 0.793 ± 0.0078, 0.825 ± 0.0070, 0.767 ± 0.0131, 0.857 ± 0.0134 and 0.799 ± 0.0084, respectively. OSS contain 31.24 MJ ME/kg. No differences in N retention were found between the experimental diets, the average value being 23.2 ± 1.04 g N retained daily. The inclusion of OSS in the diet of the finishing pigs improved the average daily gain (924 ± 23.9 vs. 838 ± 23.9 g; P < 0.05), and showed a tendency to improve the feed conversion ratio (3.78 ± 0.125 vs. 4.11 ± 0.125; P = 0.077). However, Gain:ME intake (g/MJ) remained unchanged at 19.6 ± 0.40 on average.
Breeding of the Black Slavonian pig in extensive conditions
Authors: BUDIMIR Kristina , MARGETA Vladimir , MARGETA Polona
Published: November 2024

Intensification of pig production has resulted in exploitation of the maximum genetic potential of pigs which has reached the limit of their physiological maximum. Black Slavonian pig is part of the cultural and traditional heritage that is passed on for generations, and makes this breed true autochthonous breed of this area. Extensive production system of Black Slavonian pigs has positive effect on the pigs’ health, is more friendly to environment and animal welfare and investment costs are lower. Production systems must provide self-employment, sustainable production and rural development. Although during the 19th century this was the most widespread breed in the area, its number began to decline to the point that it came in a group of endangered breeds. It is necessary to develop and implement the programs for protection and preservation of the breed. Exceptional quality of muscle and adipose tissue are good basis for the production of traditional meat products.
New technologies for characterization and quality assurance in pig
Authors: REY Ana Isabel
Published: November 2024

Consumers’ concerns regarding the quality and safety of their food supply has increased over recent years. In order to regulate and reinforce control practices, analytical methods guaranteeing correct assignment of production system and consequently quality and prices, are required in food industry. This review discusses reliability of some of these new methodologies, mainly those based on the feeding system identification. Compounds such as fatty acids, triacylglycerols, volatiles, tocopherols, nitrogen stable isotope ratio, etc. are potential tracers in tissues of feeding diets. Most of the technologies based on the quantification of these compounds are feasible tools for assuring quality and differentiating outdoors fed animal from those fed in intensive conditions with feed. However, to distinguish a greater number of feeding types or feeding combinations the use of different techniques or a multivariable analysis is required to assure quality.
The effect of immunocastration on carcass and meat cut yields in extensively reared Iberian gilts
Authors: IZQUIERDO Mercedes , PÉREZ Miguel A. , ROSARIO Ana I. , RODRÍGUEZ Pedro , GARCÍA-GUDIÑO Javier , DUARTE Juan L. , DALMAU Antoni , HERNÁNDEZ-GARCÍA Francisco I.
Published: November 2024

Iberian pigs are raised in Spain in extensive conditions with males and females free-ranging together. To avoid aggressive behavior, welfare problems, or even unwanted mating and pregnancies by domestic or wild boars, males and females are gonadectomized. However, Council Directive 2008/120/EC restricts female surgical sterilization. Therefore, the use of Improvac® as an alternative to gonadectomy would be highly beneficial for extensive Iberian pig farming. The aim of this study was to compare carcass traits of ovariectomized (CF), immunocastrated (ICF) and intact (IF) Iberian females. Seventy-five females (30 CF, 30 ICF and 15 IF) were used in this study. Animals were reared in extensive conditions and supplemented with a commercial concentrate until they reached commercial slaughter weight (around 160 kg of live weight) Carcass attributes were compared among these three groups of reproductive treatment. Results showed significant differences in the weights and yields of hams and loins among CF and the other two groups, but no differences were found for carcass and foreleg weights or yields among the three groups. Finally, there were no differences between IF and ICF for any of these carcass traits. In conclusion, immunocastration of female Iberian pigs does not negatively affect the weights or yields of carcass or commercial cuts with respect to intact females, yet, it improves certain carcass traits in comparison with ovariectomized females.
The fat tissue quality: comparison between Cinta Senese × Large White and Mora Romagnola × Large White pigs
Authors: SIRTORI Francesco , CROVETTI Alessandro , PUGLIESE Carolina , BOZZI Riccardo , FRANCI Oreste
Published: November 2024

Eighteen crossbred pigs, Cinta Senese × Large White (CS × LW, n = 10) and Mora Romagnola × Large White (MR × LW, n = 8) were included in the study. These two genotypes are used for the production of Casentino dry-cured ham, a typical product of the province of Arezzo, Italy. The comparison of fat tissue properties between two crossbreeds was made, in view of the fact that crossing CS × LW is well investigated whereas information on the crossing MR × LW is lacking. As regards the results, MR × LW pigs had fatter carcasses with thicker subcutaneous fat than CS × LW (33.0 vs. 24.4 mm, P < 0.05). MR × LW pigs showed higher fat percentage in loin portion than CS × LW (37.8 vs. 24.7, P < 0.05). Lean/fat ratio was higher in CS × LW than MR × LW pigs. As for chemical analyses, the fat of the CS × LW had higher percentage of moisture (12.93 vs. 7.46) and more SFA and PUFA content (43.0 vs. 40.2, P < 0.05 and 14.0 vs. 12.3%, P < 0.05), while MR × LW showed higher percentage of MUFA (47.5 vs. 42.9, P < 0.05).
The effect of farrowing rate and number of piglets weaned per litter on production costs of commercial Iberian herds in Extremadura (Spain)
Authors: DUARTE Juan Luis , HERNÁNDEZ-GARCÍA Francisco Ignacio , GARCÍA-GUDIÑO Javier , RODR ÍGUEZ-DE LEDESMA Antonio , IZQUIERDO Mercedes
Published: November 2024

The effects of farrowing rate (FR) and the number of weaned piglets per litter (NWP) on the economic profitability of nine Iberian pig farms managed in different production systems were studied. Economic and production data were used to perform a cost analysis per sow, litter and piglet. After the cost analysis was performed, the marginal profitability and the net income resulting from the NWP and sow FR were calculated according to current market prices. It can be concluded that FR and NWP did not compensate the production costs in the extensive farms. In contrast, intensive production farm compensated the production costs and even yielded economical benefits.
Learning processes for producers in assessing a new product with Protected Designation of Origin. The case of the prisuttu or dry cured ham of Corsica
Authors: MAESTRINI Oscar , MÜLLER Thomas , CASABIANCA François
Published: November 2024

In order to protect Corsica as an origin for their production, some pig producers, generally practicing on-farm processing, created a syndicate for applying a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for the dry cured ham named “prisuttu”. Even if their actual practices are close to the rules included into the specification, some difficulties may appear for being in compliance with the whole code of practices of the future PDO. Anticipating the official registration, we explored the possibility of a “blank” assessment with a sample of 6 producers throughout 43 already registered in the syndicate. On several batches of slaughtered pigs, we implemented a fraction of the control plan foreseen for the future PDO. The controls operated in our work concern the operations around slaughtering, from the finishing pigs to be slaughtered till the end of the salting period of hams. The step from the farm breeding the pigs to the process into typical products must be considered as key in production chain. We present and discuss the results we obtained. They show that on some criteria, producers must conduct learning processes for increase their ability to make sure to be in compliance with the requirements of the future PDO.
Non-invasive techniques for exact phenotypic assessment of carcass composition and tissue growth in domestic animals
Authors: KUŠEC Goran , SCHOLZ Armin M. , BAULAIN Ulrich , DJURKIN KUŠEC Ivona , BERNAU Maren
Published: November 2024

The present review paper deals with the advances in exact phenotyping of domestic animals regarding carcass composition and the changes in tissue proportions during growth. The development of non-invasive methods such as computer tomography (CT), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is presented, especially in relation to recent investigations of genetic aspects of growth. Supported by various bio-statistical approaches that can manage huge amount of data, such research could enable better understanding of complex phenotypic traits like changes in body composition during growth.
Estimation of local genetic ancestry in an admixed cattle population applying different methods
Authors: KHAYATZADEH Negar , MÉSZÁROS Gábor , GREDLER Birgit , SCHNYDER Urs , CURIK Ino , SÖLKNER Johann
Published: November 2024

In current study, we estimated local genetic ancestry for Swiss-Fleckvieh dairy cattle population using two alternative approaches implemented in LAMP and MULTIMIX software. Swiss-Fleckvieh is a composite descending from Simmental and Red Holstein Friesian. Illumina BovineSNP50 Beadchip data for 485 animals were used. Genetic ancestries averaged across admixed animals indicated a high correlation of individual admixture at global levels (0.99), yet the correlation between genetic ancestries averaged across 7914 windows (5 SNPs each) was 0.55. The highest correlations of window-wise estimates were along chromosomes 2, 5, 12, 15, 21, 27 and 29 (≥0.80) and the lowest was −0.71 on chromosome 24. Based on LAMP results, a region on chromosome 13 (46.3–46.7 Mb) and three adjacent regions on chromosome 18 (18.8–19.2, 20.1–25.7 and 23.9–25.7 Mb) passed the threshold based on deviation from normal distribution of local ancestries assuming 1000 independent segments. Regarding MULTIMIX, another region on chromosome 22 (9.3–10.3 Mb) was significant. Although estimates from both programs are comparable at the global levels, there was considerable difference at the local levels.
Genetic differentiation of Slovak Pinzgau, Simmental, Charolais and Holstein cattle based on the linkage disequilibrium, persistence of phase and effective population size
Authors: KUKUČKOVÁ Veronika , MORAVČÍKOVÁ Nina , TRAKOVICKÁ Anna , KADLEČÍK Ondrej , KASARDA Radovan
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to estimate the linkage disequilibrium extent (LD), effective population size (Ne) and the persistence of phase (R) among cattle breeds for syntenic marker pairs using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms genotyped in Slovak Pinzgau, Simmental, Charolais and Holstein cattle. The average LD ranged from 0.29 ± 0.23 (Charolais) to 0.36 ± 0.29 (Simmental) for markers in the 0 to 10 kb bins. The recent Ne was from 58 (Holstein) to 85 (Charolais). The persistence of phase as a measure of the prediction reliability for markers in one breed compare to another breeds markers was estimated. Markers in the 0 to 10 kb bin could be predicted with a maximal accuracy of 0.65 between Simmental and Charolais. The lowest correlation was observed between Slovak Pinzgau and Charolais (0.46 in the 0 to 10 kb bins) what indicated that phase was not strongly preserved between breeds. Results of this study could be the basis for the implementation of genomic selection programs in the Slovak Pinzgau breed and the differentiation of cattle populations during the selection process.
Efficient Cow – Estimation of feed intake for efficiency traits using on-farm recorded data
Authors: LEDINEK Maria , GRUBER Leonhard , STEININGER Franz , FUERST-WALTL Birgit , ZOTTL Karl , ROYER Martin , KRIMBERGER Kurt , MAYERHOFER Martin , EGGER-DANNER Christa
Published: November 2024

Increasing efficiency is necessary to cope with scarce resources and higher costs especially for energy and concentrate. The Federation of Austrian Cattle Breeders (ZAR) started the project “Efficient Cow” in 2013 to evaluate efficiency traits in cattle breeding under Austrian conditions. Data of approximately 5400 cows, i.e. 3100 Fleckvieh (dual purpose Simmental), 1300 Brown Swiss, 1000 Holstein kept on 167 farms were recorded over a whole year. Feed intake was predicted by a model considering animal and ration specific parameters. The observation of the individual feeding information considering the variety of feeding systems and ration compositions was the biggest challenge. A novel data encoding system for ration components was established to reflect different on-farm feeding situations correctly and to ensure a successful and structured further processing for intake prediction. A total of 1960 different rations could be reduced to 16 different ration types and therefore calculation methods depending on the way ration components were offered, namely mixed together, separately or without known amount or proportion in diet like pasture.
Low input production system suitable for Black Slavonian pig breeding
Authors: MARGETA Vladimir , GVOZDANOVIĆ Kristina , MARGETA Polona , DJURKIN KUŠEC Ivona , RADIŠIĆ Žarko , GALOVIĆ Dalida , KUŠEC Goran
Published: November 2024

Pig production in Croatia is organized on the big farms and small family farms. During the last 10 years there has been a drastic decrease in number of pigs. One of the reasons for this decrease is high production cost. For that reason it is necessary to reorganise pig production and introduce low cost production systems. Basis for this kind of production lies in the tradition and organic production, where most suitable pig breeds are indigenous, such as Black Slavonian and Turopolje pig. Due to its excellent quality the meat from these pig breeds can be used for production of traditional products. Furthermore, they both represent an old genes pool which is necessary to preserve for next generations of breeders and producers. Genetic improvement programmes can serve as tool for improving pig production in specific region. Chosen genotypes should be able to survive environmental stress without decreasing in productivity. Integration of genetic improvement programs should be in accordance with genetic resource and variation in production environments.
Effects of salting duration and boar taint level on quality of dry-cured hams
Authors: KALTNEKAR Tadej , ŠKRLEP Martin , BATOREK LUKAČ Nina , TOMAŽIN Urška , PREVOLNIK POVŠE Maja , LABUSSIERE Etienne , DEMŠAR Lea , ČANDEK-POTOKAR Marjeta
Published: November 2024

Meat from entire males (EM) may take an important market share in the EU in case surgical castration is abandoned. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of salting regime and boar taint level on dry-cured ham quality. Standard (18 days, HS) and shortened salting (6 days, LS) was applied to 16 hams from 8 EM, being also evaluated according to boar taint; low (LBT) or high (HBT). Compared to standard procedure, shorter salting resulted in 40 % lower salt content, higher proteolysis, higher aw, softer texture, accompanied by lower sensorial saltiness and sourness and higher meat colour intensity, sweetness, bitterness, pastiness and off-flavour perception. HBT hams were more proteolysed, with softer texture, higher perception of bitterness, pastiness and juiciness with more pronounced offflavours and poorer typical cured odour than LBT hams. A significant interaction between boar taint level and salting on perceived off flavours denotes that either salt covers off-flavours or there are additive effects of boar taint substances and proteolysis products when salt content is low.
Evidence of selective sweeps through haplotype structure of Pinzgau cattle
Authors: KASARDA Radovan , MORAVČÍKOVÁ Nina , KUKUČKOVÁ Veronika , KADLEČÍK Ondrej , TRAKOVICKÁ Anna , MÉSZÁROS Gábor
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to identify the genomic regions potentially under positive selection through the determination of integrated Haplotype Homozygosity Score in dual-purpose Pinzgau cattle. The genomic data from in total 37 Slovak and 105 Austrian purebred bulls were obtained using Illumina high-density SNP panels. After applying the quality control the final dataset composed of overall 27,895 autosomal loci with SNP density at the level one locus per 89.31 kb. The single-site iHS values have been scored for each SNP and subsequently averaged into the non-overlapping 500 kb windows across the genome. Totally, 27,293 iHS values across 4968 sliding windows were tested for the evidence of selection signatures. The most significant iHS values were detected for 6 genomic regions on BTA 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 22. The iHS value was in average 0.03 and the highest score of iHS (2.09) has been found in region on BTA 5. Our results provide initial insight and basis for future studies of genome-wide associations and impact of artificial selection in Slovak Pinzgau cattle.
Founder contribution in the endangered Czech draught horse breeds
Authors: VOSTRÁ-VYDROVÁ Hana , VOSTRÝ Luboš , HOFMANOVÁ Barbora , SCHMIDOVÁ Jitka , VESELÁ Zdeňka , MAJZLÍK Ivan
Published: November 2024

There are many horse breeds included in conservation programs around the world. The current populations of these breeds have often been derived from a small number of founders. The genetic structure of two endangered horse breeds – Silesian Noriker and Czech-Moravian Belgian was studied based on founder contribution analysis. Silesian Norikers are descended from 1235 founders and Czech-Moravian Belgians are descended from 2583 founders. The effective numbers of founders and ancestors contributing to the current genetic pool were 69.42 and 22.32 for the Silesian Noriker breed and 43.33 and 23.32 for the Czech-Moravian Belgian breed respectively. Approximately 50 % of total genetic variation was explained by 31 founders with the greatest influence for the Silesian Noriker and 47 most influential founders for the Czech-Moravian Belgian, with a maximum individual contribution of 8 % for Silesian Noriker and 14 % for Czech-Moravian Belgian. These results suggest that the genetic variability has decreased and without changes in breeding strategy, the genetic variability might continue to decline. The further expected loss of genetic variability in the populations can be minimized by increasing the number of descendants of low-represented founders.
Regional marketing mechanisms for industrial energy flexibility enabled by service-oriented IT platforms
Authors: Scharmer Valerie M. , Bank Lukas , Halbrügge Stephanie , Haupt Leon , Köberlein Jana , Roth Stefan , Schulz Julia , Vernim Susanne , Weibelzahl Martin , Buhl Hans Ulrich , Schilp Johannes , Zaeh Michael F.
Published: November 2024

An increasing number of renewable energy sources driven by ambitious sustainability efforts is both changing and challenging electricity systems worldwide. Successfully dealing with a variable and highly decentralized electricity supply associated with the rising share of renewable energy sources will be crucial in the near future. This paper investigates the potential of information technology (IT) for regional marketing of energy flexibility from the machine level in factories to the electricity-grid level. In this context, energy flexibility describes the capability to react quickly and cost-efficiently to alternating electricity availability. Based on a literature review of regional marketing mechanisms, existing concepts of IT platforms, and current real-world model regions, this paper aims to apply a holistic research approach to better understand the challenges regarding the energy transition on a regional level and corresponding requirements for IT platforms used for flexibility marketing. The approach allows to identify relevant key challenges and flexibility marketing use cases, attributing core importance to underlying production processes. In particular, target processes for respective use cases are derived based on a description of current regional marketing of demand flexibility. Successful implementation of target processes is required to provide regional energy flexibility via IT platforms. A comparison between current processes and target processes finally allows defining the need for change and development, e.g., of new intelligent interfaces, already during the conceptual test of new IT platforms. The introduced research approach was applied to one exemplary use case within the energy-flexible model region Augsburg of the Kopernikus project SynErgie, Germany. The paper especially illustrates that service-oriented IT platforms simplify the communication process between the relevant players in energy flexibility marketing.
Linear transverse flux generator for wave energy conversion: design optimization and analysis
Authors: Duniev Oleksii , Yehorov Andrii , Masliennikov Andrii , Stamann Mario , Dobzhanskyi Oleksandr
Published: November 2024

The electric power industry impacts each state’s economy significantly, driven by increasing electricity consumption that necessitates expanding power plants and finding alternative energy sources. Among alternative energy sources, ocean and sea wave energy converters can be distinguished as a separate class. Wave energy converters transform wave energy into mechanical and then electrical energy. The purpose of the study is to analyze and optimize the magnetic system of a transverse flux machine (TFM) linear generator and to determine the influence of the distance between the stator cores on the efficiency of the generator. This research included conducting 3D modeling and analysis to identify this rational distance. The methods for investigating the magnetic system and calculating the magnetic field pattern are divided into analytical and numerical. Thanks to advanced software for solving such tasks, numerical calculation methods based on the finite element method play a decisive role. Meanwhile, analytical calculations of the magnetic circuit are performed using Kirchhoff’s second law for preliminary analysis. The article discusses a two-phase linear TFM generator with a U-shaped core and permanent magnets. The results of numerical modeling show that the distance between the stator cores should have a specific size and requires detailed selection when designing the magnetic system in each particular case. In the design studied, it was calculated that 6 mm between the stator cores increases the machine’s performance. 3D modeling is necessary for accurate analysis, considering the axial magnetic flux to minimize stray fields and their mutual demagnetization. Future research will explore an E-shaped core TFM design.
The body says it all: Non-verbal indicators of choice awareness
Authors: Mouratidou Alexandra , Zlatev Jordan , van de Weijer Joost
Published: November 2024

Recent cognitive science research suggests that occasional “blindness” to choice manipulations indicates a lack of awareness in choice making. This claim is based on participants’ tendency not to detect choice manipulations and the similarity between their justifications for choices they made and those they were tricked into believing they made. Using a cognitive-semiotic framework, we argue that such conclusions underestimate the embodied, intersubjective nature of human meaning-making. We support this by investigating choice awareness beyond language to include non-verbal behavior. Forty-one participants were asked to choose from pairs of photographs of human faces the one they found most attractive and then to justify their choices, without knowing that for some of the trials they were asked to justify a choice that they had not made. Verbal responses were categorized as (i) non-manipulated, (ii) detected manipulated, and (iii) undetected manipulated trials. Bodily expressions, assessed using five different Categories of Bodily Expression (CBE): Adaptors, Torso, Head, Face and Hand expressions, revealed differences in: (a) duration, (b) rates of occurrence and (c) variety of the CBEs across trials. Thus, even when manipulations were not verbally detected, participants took longer to assess choices, showed increased bodily expressions, and engaged more body parts in undetected manipulations compared to non-manipulated choice trials. This suggests a degree of awareness to the choice manipulation, even if pre-reflective, manifested in participants’ bodily expressions.
Linguistic paradigms as cognitive entities: A domain-general approach
Authors: Setzke Rafael Soto
Published: November 2024

The concept of paradigm has been used extensively in many areas of linguistics throughout the past century, such as language education or historical linguistics. It is therefore quite surprising that paradigms have mostly been disregarded when it comes to cognitive language theories. Recently however, more and more researchers have started to advocate for the introduction of paradigms into cognitivist frameworks to be able to account for certain phenomena in language that would be hard to explain otherwise. But whilst there is agreement on which phenomena could best be explained through the notion of paradigm, there is a lot of disagreement regarding the way in which paradigms would be mentally represented, and how they would relate to the rest of the mental lexicon. This paper will discuss a few reasons to believe that paradigms are part of our grammar, present two previously proposed examples for modelling paradigms from a cognitivist perspective, highlight possible issues regarding their psychological plausibility, and explore how further research on modelling paradigms could be aided through an alternative domain-general approach which proposes that paradigms are cognitively equivalent to non-linguistic categories.
Adaptive language strategies of an older sibling in bilingual German-Russian acquisition: A case study
Authors: Koch Nikolas , Gaus Maria
Published: November 2024

In the beginning stages of language acquisition, children primarily learn language from their parents or main caregivers. Studies have shown that adults use a specific way of speaking when talking to young children, called child-directed speech (CDS). This type of speech has distinct characteristics across different aspects of language. Additionally, older siblings also communicate with their younger brothers and sisters. Studies suggest that even three- and four-year-olds change how they talk when interacting with younger children, like their siblings. Studies have shown that children’s speech patterns resemble those of adults, whether they grow up in monolingual or bilingual environments. However, research on bilingual language acquisition often focuses on how siblings influence the language development of younger children. In this study, we explore how children adapt their language in bilingual settings and focus on the older sibling. Specifically, we compare the speech of an older sibling, who speaks both German and Russian, when talking to their younger sibling and when talking to their parents. The study revealed the following: The girl demonstrated linguistic adaptations typical of child-directed speech in both Russian and German when interacting with her younger brother. However, these adaptations were not consistent across all linguistic categories analyzed, revealing some differences between the two languages. Notably, Katharina did not exhibit more child-directed speech features in one language over the other. Adaptive behavior was present in both Russian and German in categories such as MLU, MLU5, question constructions, and imperatives. In Russian, adaptation was also evident in coordinate constructions but not subordinate constructions, while the opposite pattern was observed in German.
The role of L1 phonology in the perception of L2 semivowels
Authors: Zhou Wei William
Published: November 2024

The study compares how L1 Chinese and Japanese speakers perceive L2 English semivowels (/j/ and /w/) preceding high vowels (/i/ and /u/). In Chinese, [j] and [w] serve as phonetic variants of /i/ and /u/, respectively. However, /j/ and /w/ are distinct phonemes in Japanese, although Japanese /w/ lacks the roundness feature found in English /w/. Participants completed experiments with a discrimination task and an identification task. While the discrimination task revealed no differences in /j/ and /w/ perception between the groups, the identification task showed that the Japanese speakers outperformed the Chinese speakers in their perception of /j/, suggesting an L1 “phonemic over phonetic” advantage. However, the Japanese speakers did not outperform the Chinese speakers in their perception of /w/, suggesting that an L2 feature unexploited in the L1 (i.e., roundness) can impede perception. These findings underscore the importance of considering both phonemic status and features in L2 speech perception.
Sophia: The Female Aspect of Christ in Origen of Alexandria
Authors: Jacobsen Anders-Christian
Published: November 2024

This article examines the feminine aspect of Sophia, a significant title for Christ in Origen of Alexandria’s theology. It investigates whether Origen recognized and utilized Sophia’s femininity to develop a Christology that incorporates female elements or if he downplayed this aspect to counter Gnostic interpretations, particularly those of the Valentinians, who sexualized the divine. The analysis begins with an overview of the Wisdom figure in Prov 8:22-25 and its representation in Valentinian Gnosticism, highlighting Origen’s reliance on biblical texts as foundational to his theological framework. Key passages from Origen’s “On First Principles” and “Commentary on the Gospel of John” are explored to reveal his understanding of Sophia as both a mediator in creation and an integral part of Christ’s identity. The article concludes that while Origen acknowledges Sophia’s femininity, he strategically avoids sexualized language and imagery, likely to prevent misinterpretation among simpler Christians and to distance himself from Gnostic thought. Ultimately, this nuanced approach reflects Origen’s complex engagement with the feminine in his theological discourse.
Targeting Endogenous Tau in Seeded Tauopathy Models Inhibits Tau Spread
Authors: Jang Elliot , Hoxha Kevt’her , Mozier Damian , Insana Abigail , Farber Ethan , Changolkar Lakshmi , Zhang Bin , Chio Tak-Ian , Crowe Alex , Chen Richard , Mercken Marc , Lee Edward B. , Luk Kelvin C. , Brunden Kurt R. , Lee Virginia M.-Y. , Xu Hong
Published: November 2024

The transmission of tau pathology has been proposed as one of the major mechanisms for the spatiotemporal spreading of tau pathology in neurodegenerative diseases. Over the last decade, studies have demonstrated that targeting total or pathological tau using tau antibodies can mitigate the development of tau pathology in tauopathy or Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models, and multiple tau immunotherapy agents have progressed to clinical trials. Tau antibodies are believed to inhibit the internalization of pathologic seeds and/or block seed elongation after seed internalization. To further address the mechanism of tau antibody inhibition of pathological spread, we conducted immunotherapy studies in mouse primary neurons and wild-type mice (females) seeded with AD patient-derived tau to induce the formation and spreading of tau pathology. Notably, we evaluated the effect of a mouse tau-specific antibody (mTau8) which does not interact with AD–tau seeds in these models. Our results show that mTau8 crosses the blood–brain barrier at levels similar to other antibodies and effectively decreases AD–tau-seeded tau pathology in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, our data suggest that mTau8 binds to endogenous intraneuronal mouse tau, thereby inhibiting the elongation of internalized tau seeds. These findings provide valuable insights into the possible mechanism underlying antibody-based therapies for treating tauopathies.
Forging Democracy in the Flames
Authors: Pospieszna Paulina , McMahon Patrice C.
Published: November 2024

This study examines democracy promotion during interstate war, focusing on Polish NGO efforts during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. By examining the efforts of Polish NGOs during the ongoing war in Ukraine, the study explores the strategies, areas of focus, and shifts in approaches compared to the pre-war period. The objective is to shed light on the rationale behind democracy promotion; delineate the evolving roles, approaches, and tactics of democracy promoters; and draw lessons learned. Bridging the gap in existing knowledge, the study explores dynamics during active conflict offering perspectives from Polish NGOs that have been engaged in democracy promotion in Ukraine since the 1990s.
Revisiting the Access Rainbow
Authors: Smith Karen , Shade Leslie , Clement Andrew
Published: November 2024

The Access Rainbow offers a 7-layer socio-technical model for universal access that has been widely discussed in CI. For the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Journal of Community Informatics (JOCI), we explore what this public interest model of universal access foreshadowed as critical issues about AI and emerging information infrastructures. Looking forward, we challenge CI scholars to continue to leverage the Access Rainbow model to foreground human rights issues, and to continue the empowerment-oriented work associated with CI activism in datafied and algorithmically intensive domains.
ТЕРРИТОРИАЛЬНЫЕ СОЧЕТАНИЯ ЭКСТРЕМАЛЬНЫХ ПРИРОДНЫХ ПРОЦЕССОВ И ОПАСНЫХ ЯВЛЕНИЙ В ТИХООКЕАНСКОЙ РОССИИ
Authors: П.Я. БАКЛАНОВ , С.М. ГОВОРУШКО , Г.Г. ТКАЧЕНКО , С.М. КРАСНОПЕЕВ
Published: November 2024

Рассмотрены экстремальные природные процессы и опасные явления, которые наблюдаются в Дальневосточном регионе: землетрясения, цунами, лавины, сели, криогенные процессы, экстремальные низкие температуры, наводнения, грозы, пожары, метели, туманы, водная эрозия, карст, ледники и др. Выделены различные территориальные сочетания этих процессов и явлений. Пространственный охват исследования - макрорегион, который рассматривается как акватерриториальный регион Тихоокеанской России, включающий территорию и прилегающие к ней пространства акваторий в пределах 200-мильной морской исключительной зоны. В этом акватерриториальном макрорегионе активно развивается региональное природопользование, в том числе освоение природных ресурсов приморской суши и ресурсов морских акваторий. В то же время многие экстремальные природные процессы и опасные явления, возникающие в пределах морских акваторий, негативно отражаются на прибрежной суше. Дана оценка территориальным и акватерриториальным сочетаниям экстремальных природных процессов и опасных явлений в Тихоокеанской России. Построены карты нескольких вариантов зонирования по различию сочетаний экстремальных природных процессов и опасных явлений, в том числе для всех 25 рассматриваемых их видов. Выделено 10 типов территорий Тихоокеанской России с различными сочетаниями этих явлений и процессов, дана их обобщенная характеристика.

We examine extreme natural processes and hazardous phenomena which are observed in the Far Eastern region: earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches, mudflows, cryogenic processes, extreme low temperatures, floods, thunderstorms, fires, snow storms, fogs, water erosion, karst, glaciers, etc. Various territorial combinations of these processes and phenomena have been identified. Spatial coverage of the research is a macroregion which is considered as an aqua-territorial region of Pacific Russia, including the territory and adjacent water areas within the 200-mile maritime exclusive zone. This aqua-territorial macroregion is characterized by active regional environmental management, including the utilization of natural resources of the coastal land and resources of marine waters. However, many extreme natural processes and hazardous phenomena occurring within marine areas have a negative impact on coastal land. An assessment is made of the territorial and aqua-territorial combinations of the extreme natural processes and hazardous phenomena in Pacific Russia. We constructed maps of several versions of zoning according to the difference of combinations of extreme natural processes and hazardous phenomena, including their 25 types. We identified 10 types of territories of Pacific Russia with various combinations of these phenomena and processes, and their generalized characteristics are provided.
Migration in sport wrestling: analysis of performances at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Authors:   Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Ukraine, Latyshev Mykola , Polianychko Olena ,   Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Ukraine, Yeretyk Anatoly ,   Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Ukraine, Lakhtadyr Olena ,   Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Ukraine, Korotya Vladimir ,   National Aviation University, Ukraine
Published: November 2024

Purpose: to analyze the achievements of migrant wrestlers at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Material and methods.The following methods are used in the research: analysis of scientific and methodical sources, analysis of the results of sportsmen's performances and methods of mathematical statistics. The study was conducted to analyze the number of migrant athletes, their results in competitions, as well as age and weight characteristics in each style of wrestling (women's wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling). The data is taken from the official website «United World of Wrestling» (https://unitedworldwrestling.org). The percentage of migrants, their average age, weight categories and places they occupied were analyzed, with further processing of statistical indicators to identify patterns in their performance. Results: the results of the study showed that 34 migrant athletes participated in the 2024 Olympic Games, with the largest number (24,0 %) observed in freestyle wrestling, while the figure was the lowest in women's wrestling at 2,1 %. The analysis also found that migrant athletes have an average age of 29,5 years, indicating their experience.Almost a third of them won prizes, in particular, 8,8 % became winners, and 29,4 % won prizes. Despite the high achievements, 35,3 % of the athletes ranked 10 and below, which indicates a wide variety of results among migrants. A comparison with previous studies confirmed the tendency of athletes to change their citizenship after the peak of their career. Migrant athletes aged 24-27 make up the largest group, indicating their strategy to achieve international success after achieving the best results in their careers. Conclusions. Migrant athletes participating in the 2024 Olympic Games showed a high level of results, especially in freestyle wrestling. Their participation and success confirm that changing citizenship is an important strategy for further achievements in international competitions, especially after the peak period of a sports career.
IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH OVARIAN CANCER STAGE III-IV
Authors:   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Hrytsyk R. , Kryzhanivska A. ,   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University,   Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise «Prykarpattia Clinical Oncology Center of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council», Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
Published: November 2024

Summary. Aim:to evaluate the immediate treatment outcomes and overall and relapse-free survival of patients with ovarian cancer stage III-IV depending on the treatment method. Object and methods: the study presents the overall and relapse-free survival results of 269 patients with ovarian cancer stage III-IV who received comprehensive treatment at the “Prykarpattia Clinical Oncology Center of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council” between 2017 and 2023. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the treatment method: Group I – primary cytoreductive surgery followed by 6 adjuvant cycles of polychemotherapy (PCT); Group II – three neoadjuvant cycles of PCT, interval cytoreductive surgery, and adjuvant PCT; Group III – 6 cycles of PCT. All patients received chemotherapy following the paclitaxel-carboplatin regimen. Results: in all groups, 19 (7%) cases of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were identified, and the treatment outcomes for these patients were not included in survival calculations. The 3-year overall cumulative survival rate was 50% in group I, 58% in group II, and 36% in group III. The median overall survival in group I was 31 months, in group II – 37 months, and in group III – 17 months. The 3-year relapse-free cumulative survival was 24% in group I, 48% in group II, and 36% in group III. The median relapse-free survival in group I was 19 months, in group II – 25 months, and in group III – 17 months. Conclusions: relapse-free and overall survival rates were significantly better in patients who received comprehensive treatment compared to those who only underwent chemotherapy cycles. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage III-IV ovarian cancer improves relapse-free survival but does not affect overall survival compared to patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery.
THE ROLE OF REPAIR PROCESSES IN THE FORMATION OF RADIOSENSITIVITY OF HEALTHY AND TUMOUR CELLS IN HUMANS
Authors:   R.E.Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Domina E.A.
Published: November 2024

Despite significant progress in the development and implementation of new radiotherapeutic techniques over the past decade and positive results of radiotherapy for cancer patients, overall and progression-free survival rates are still poor. The analysis of literature data and our own research in the field of clinical radiobiology and radiation oncology shows that cellular DNA repair systems increase the radioresistance of tumours and thus hinder the improvement of the effectiveness of patient therapy. The role of repair processes in shaping the radiosensitivity of tumours compared to healthy tissues is discussed in detail, and their differences are described. It is emphasized that the repair of irradiated DNA damage in tumour cells is more intensive than in healthy tissue cells due to increased expression of repair enzymes. Together with the instability of the tumour cell genome, this causes a large variation in their radiosensitivity and indicates the priority of research aimed at finding and developing radioprotectors to protect the genome of healthy cells from the environment of the irradiated tumour without affecting (reducing) its radiosensitivity. Such a way to optimize the results of therapeutic radiation will help minimize radiation complications that require additional therapy and worsen the quality of life of treated patients.
Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Austin Anna E. , Anderson Kayla N. , Goodson Marissa , Niolon Phyllis Holditch , Swedo Elizabeth A. , Terranella Andrew , Bacon Sarah
Published: November 2024

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common and can impact health across the life course. Thus, it is essential for professionals in child- and family-serving roles, including pediatric and adult primary care clinicians, to understand the health implications of childhood adversity and trauma and respond appropriately. Screening for ACEs in health care settings has received attention as a potential approach to ACEs identification and response. Careful examination of the existing evidence on ACEs screening and consideration, from a clinical and ethical perspective, of the potential benefits, challenges, and harms is critical to ensuring evidence-informed practice. In this critical appraisal, we synthesize existing systematic and scoping reviews on ACEs screening, summarize recent studies on the ability of ACEs to predict health outcomes at the individual level, and provide a comprehensive overview of potential benefits, challenges, and harms of ACEs screening. We identify gaps in the existing evidence base and specify directions for future research. We also describe trauma-informed, relational care as an orientation and perspective that can help pediatric and primary care clinicians to sensitively assess for and respond to ACEs and other potentially traumatic experiences. Overall, we do not yet have sufficient evidence regarding the potential benefits, challenges, and harms of ACEs screening in health care and other settings. In the absence of this evidence, we cannot assume that screening will not cause harm and that potential benefits outweigh potential harms.
Valor y extracción del trabajo en un monocultivo centroamericano: reconfiguraciones rurales y producción socio-territorial de la diferencia en las piñeras costarricenses
Authors: Prunier Delphine , Rodríguez Echavarría Tania
Published: November 2024

El norte de Costa Rica, en tanto región de margen, frontera agraria y zona de oportunidad para las inversiones del capital agroindustrial, ha sido profundamente transformada en los últimos veinte años por la introducción del monocultivo de piña. Este proceso implica una reconfiguración de los territorios rurales, de las relaciones sociales de producción y de los mercados laborales. Además, se ubica en el espacio de mayor asimetría en la región centroamericana, pues los desequilibrios en niveles de producción, desarrollo y salario son considerables entre Costa Rica y el país colindante del norte, Nicaragua. En este trabajo, discutimos la noción de extractivismo agrario desde el punto de vista de los recursos humanos, en particular la fuerza de trabajo campesina y migrante (temporal y de origen nicaragüense). Enseguida, presentamos el contexto en el que se ha dado la expansión de la piña en esta región y los métodos de investigación implementados. En el tercer apartado, analizamos los impactos del extractivismo agrario desde el punto de vista de las transformaciones del trabajo rural, a través de dos procesos principales: por un lado, el trabajo campesino y su papel en la economía del monocultivo y por el otro lado, el trabajo migrante esencial, pero invisibilizado y precarizado.