bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
USER-GENERATED CONTENT EM SERVIÇOS: UMA ANÁLISE DO AEROPORTO INTERNACIONAL DE GUARULHOS (GRU)
Authors: Guido Ana Lúcia Borella , João Belmiro Do Nascimento
Published: December 2016

A principal inovação no setor aeroportuário brasileiro é a gestão da qualidade de serviços, após a privatização do setor. O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar comentários (em língua inglesa) de usuários que avaliaram os serviços no Aeroporto Internacional de Guarulhos (GRU) colhidos entre 07/11/2011 e 18/05/2014. Sua importância está em usar a linguagem como análise na perspectiva dos usuários (service encounter). Para isso utiliza-se a análise de conteúdo além de regressão. Esta pesquisa, avaliará o poder da palavra para analisar a satisfação do cliente em relação ao serviço prestado, referente a três categorias: tempo de espera nas filas (queuing), instalações (facilities) e limpeza no ambiente (cleanline). Em complementação, os usuários podem recomendar, ou não, o aeroporto para outros viajantes. Resultados apontam que nos comentários positivos, a situação do aeroporto é aceitável, porém seguida de críticas. As variáveis de maior relevância são: instalações e tempo de espera nas filas. O que há de novo nesta análise é a dinâmica criada pela utilização de ferramentas de tecnologia da informação e a geração de conteúdo que pode ser utilizado para a co-criação, melhoria de qualidade ou redução de falhas em serviços.
ROTAS TURÍSTICAS EM REGIÕES VINÍCOLAS: ENOTURISMO NA CAMPANHA DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL – BRASIL
Authors: Barbosa Fabrício Silva , Lacerda Daniel Pacheco , Viegas Cláudia Viviane , Santos Alessandra Santos dos
Published: December 2016

O Enoturismo emergiu como um rentável setor agroindustrial, responsável por fomentar o desenvolvimento regional especialmente econômico de regiões produtoras de vinho. Em virtude do crescimento e desenvolvimento desta atividade, novos destinos turísticos estão surgindo e, com isso, novos meios econômicos emergem para atrair apreciadores, consumidores ou não de vinhos, fazendo com que o patrimônio cultural vinícola seja resgatado e mantido. Muitas das pesquisas realizadas acerca do enoturismo sugerem os benefícios desta atividade para a indústria do vinho, assim como para as localidades rurais envolvidas. Nesta perspectiva, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o Enoturismo como atividade econômica, e o quanto este contribui para o desenvolvimento de vinícolas localizadas na Região da Campanha do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil. Para a realização dessa investigação optou-se pela elaboração de pesquisa com abordagem qualitativa, utilizando como método a estruturação de um estudo de caso descritivo, com análise de conteúdo a partir de entrevista estruturada. Os resultados apontam o Enoturismo em curva crescente em todas as empresas estudadas, atuando como ferramenta de competitividade de vinícolas locais, contribuindo para o fortalecimento da marca e comercialização de seus produtos.
CONTRIBUIÇÃO DO ESTUDO DAS CARACTERÍSTICAS CULTURAIS DO CLUSTER DA MALACOCULTURA DA GRANDE FLORIANÓPOLIS PARA A GESTÃO DAS ATIVIDADES DE TURISMO NA REGIÃO
Authors: Teixeira Fátima Regina , Vieira Paisana António Maria , Vieira Filipa Dionísio , Mayr Luiz Roberto
Published: December 2016

No Brasil, no Estado de Santa Catarina, na Grande Florianópolis, encontra-se o cluster da malacocultura, formado por micro e pequena empresas e por produtores autônomos. Embora tenha condições ambientais e econômicas favoráveis, este cluster apresenta problemas de gestão que estão relacionados com o comportamento dos seus integrantes refletido na sua maneira de ser, de agir e de pensar, condicionada pela sua cultura, que afetam a sua competitividade. Será que estas mesmas características culturais locais seriam um entrave para a formação de um cluster de turismo na região, atividade que apesar de também compartilhar condições ambientais e econômicas favoráveis, ainda não conseguiu se organizar de maneira colaborativa? Este trabalho busca fazer uma analogia entre o que ocorre na atividade da malacocultura e no setor de turismo, com base em resultados de um estudo de caso que entrevistou quarenta e três indivíduos, dos diferentes segmentos de atores do cluster da malacocultura, inclusive ligados ao turismo, que constatou que a cultura local, predominantemente de origem açoriana, apresenta fortes traços de individualismo, tolerância à incerteza, indulgência, orientação de curto prazo e acomodação, que afetam a competitividade, a governança e a gestão dos empreendimentos.
Potential Effect and Analysis of High Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Penetration to an Electric Distribution Utility (DU)
Authors: Dellosa Jeffrey Tamba
Published: December 2016

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 in the Philippines provided an impetus for residential owners to explore solar PV installations at their own rooftops through the Net-Metering policy. The Net-Metering implementation through the law however presented some concerns with inexperienced electric DU on the potential effect of high residential solar PV system installations. It was not known how a high degree of solar integration to the grid can possibly affect the operations of the electric DU in terms of energy load management. The primary objective of this study was to help the local electric DU in the analysis of the potential effect of high residential solar PV system penetration to the supply and demand load profile in an electric distribution utility (DU) grid in the province of Agusan del Norte, Philippines. The energy consumption profiles in the year 2015 were obtained from the electric DU operating in the area. An average daily energy demand load profile was obtained from 0-hr to the 24th hour of the day based from the figures provided by the electric DU. The assessment part of the potential effect of high solar PV system integration assumed four potential total capacities from 10 Mega Watts (MW) to 40 MW generated by all subscribers in the area under study at a 10 MW interval. The effect of these capacities were measured and analyzed with respect to the average daily load profile of the DU. Results of this study showed that a combined installations beyond 20 MWp coming from all subscribers is not viable for the local electric DU based on their current energy demand or load profile. Based from the results obtained, the electric DU can make better decisions in the management of high capacity penetration of solar PV systems in the future, including investment in storage systems when extra capacities are generated.Article History: Received July 15th 2016; Received in revised form Sept 23rd 2016; Accepted Oct 1st 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Dellosa, J. (2016) Potential Effect and Analysis of High Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Penetration to an Electric Distribution Utility (DU). Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(3), 179-185.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.3.179-185
Production of Solid Fuel by Torrefaction Using Coconut Leaves As Renewable Biomass
Authors: Pestaño Lola Domnina Bote , Jose Wilfredo I.
Published: December 2016

The reserves of non-renewable energy sources such as coal, crude oil and natural gas are not limitless, they gradually get exhausted and their price continually increases. In the last four decades, researchers have been focusing on alternate fuel resources to meet the ever increasing energy demand and to avoid dependence on crude oil. Amongst different sources of renewable energy, biomass residues hold special promise due to their inherent capability to store solar energy and amenability to subsequent conversion to convenient solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. At present, among the coconut farm wastes such as husks, shell, coir dust and coconut leaves, the latter is considered the most grossly under-utilized by in situ burning in the coconut farm as means of disposal. In order to utilize dried coconut leaves and to improve its biomass properties, this research attempts to produce solid fuel by torrefaction using dried coconut leaves for use as alternative source of energy. Torrefaction is a thermal method for the conversion of biomass operating in the low temperature range of 200oC-300oC under atmospheric conditions in absence of oxygen. Dried coconut leaves were torrefied at different feedstock conditions. The key torrefaction products were collected and analyzed. Physical and combustion characteristics of both torrefied and untorrefied biomass were investigated. Torrefaction of dried coconut leaves significantly improved the heating value compared to that of the untreated biomass.  Proximate compositions of the torrefied biomass also improved and were comparable to coal. The distribution of the products of torrefaction depends highly on the process conditions such as torrefaction temperature and residence time. Physical and combustion characteristics of torrefied biomass were superior making it more suitable for fuel applications.Article History: Received June 24th 2016; Received in revised form August 16th 2016; Accepted 27th 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Pestaño, L.D.B. and Jose, W.I. (2016) Production of Solid Fuel by Torrefaction Using Coconut Leaves As Renewable Biomass. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(3), 187-197.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.3.187-197
Performance Evaluation of Various Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage of A Solar Cooker via Numerical Simulation
Authors: Tarwidi Dede , Murdiansyah Danang Triantoro , Ginanjar Narwan
Published: December 2016

In this paper, thermal performance of various phase change materials (PCMs) used as thermal energy storage in a solar cooker has been investigated numerically. Heat conduction equations in cylindrical domain are used to model heat transfer of the PCMs. Mathematical model of phase change problem in the PCM storage encompasses heat conduction equations in solid and liquid region separated by moving solid-liquid interface. The phase change problem is solved by reformulating heat conduction equations with emergence of moving boundary into an enthalpy equation. Numerical solution of the enthalpy equation is obtained by implementing Godunov method and verified by analytical solution of one-dimensional case. Stability condition of the numerical scheme is also discussed. Thermal performance of various PCMs is evaluated via the stored energy and temperature history. The simulation results show that phase change material with the best thermal performance during the first 2.5 hours of energy extraction is shown by erythritol. Moreover, magnesium chloride hexahydrate can maintain temperature of the PCM storage in the range of 110-116.7°C for more than 4 hours while magnesium nitrate hexahydrate is effective only for one hour with the PCM storage temperature around 121-128°C. Among the PCMs that have been tested, it is only erythritol that can cook 10 kg of the loaded water until it reaches 100°C for about 3.5 hours.Article History: Received June 22nd 2016; Received in revised form August 26th 2016; Accepted Sept 1st 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Tarwidi, D., Murdiansyah, D.T, Ginanja, N. (2016) Performance Evaluation of Various Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage of A Solar Cooker via Numerical Simulation. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(3), 199-210.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.3.199-210
A Novel Global MPP Tracking of Photovoltaic System based on Whale Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Kumar Cherukuri Santhan , Rao Rayapudi Srinivasa
Published: December 2016

To harvest maximum amount of solar energy and to attain higher efficiency, photovoltaic generation (PVG) systems are to be operated at their maximum power  point (MPP) under both variable climatic and partial shaded condition (PSC). From literature most of conventional MPP tracking (MPPT) methods are able to guarantee MPP successfully under uniform shading condition but fails to get global MPP as they may trap at local MPP under PSC, which adversely deteriorates the efficiency of Photovoltaic Generation (PVG) system. In this paper a novel MPPT based on Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is proposed to analyze analytic modeling of PV system considering both series and shunt resistances for MPP tracking under PSC. The proposed algorithm is tested on 6S, 3S2P and 2S3P Photovoltaic array configurations for different shading patterns and results are presented. To compare the performance, GWO and PSO MPPT algorithms are also simulated and results are also presented.  From the results it is noticed that proposed MPPT method is superior to other MPPT methods with reference to accuracy and tracking speed.Article History: Received July 23rd 2016; Received in revised form September 15th 2016; Accepted October 1st 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Kumar, C.H.S and Rao, R.S. (2016) A Novel Global MPP Tracking of Photovoltaic System based on Whale Optimization Algorithm. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(3), 225-232.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.3.225-232
Understanding the links between month of birth, body height, and longevity: why some studies reveal that shorter people live longer – further evidence of seasonal programming from the Polish population
Authors: Chmielewski Piotr , Borysławski Krzysztof
Published: December 2016

There is a lack of agreement in the literature as to whether adult height depends on month of birth and whether height affects lifespan. Additionally, the relationship between stature and longevity involves conflicting findings and the results remain mixed due to several confounders, such as: year of birth, somatotype, relative body weight, genetic inheritance, diet, diseases, etc. Here, we hypothesize that the season of birth effect can also be involved in shaping the mysterious link between body height and longevity. To assess the links between month of birth, adult height, and longevity in the Polish population, data on 848,860 individuals, of whom 483,512 were men (57%) and 365,348 were women (43%), born in the years 1896-1988 and died in the years 2004-2008, were collected from the ‘PESEL’ database and signalments in the censuses obtained from identity card offices throughout Poland. ANOVA and the LSD test were performed. A significant relationship between month of birth and lifespan was found. Individuals born in autumn and winter months lived significantly longer than those who were born in the middle of the year (May). The amplitudes of lifespan were 16 months in men and 14 months in women. As expected, subjects of both sexes born in autumn and winter months were significantly shorter than their peers born around the middle of the year. In conclusion, the results of the study not only corroborate the theory of seasonal programming of longevity and support the idea that some undetermined factors from early stages of ontogeny and associated with season of birth have long-term effects on phenotype in later life in terms of adult height and longevity, but also bear out the hypothesis that month of birth can be another important confounding factor with respect to the relationship between adult height and longevity.
The relationship between adult stature and longevity: tall men are unlikely to outlive their short peers – evidence from a study of all adult deaths in Poland in the years 2004–2008
Authors: Chmielewski Piotr
Published: December 2016

Early epidemiological studies demonstrated that short stature is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, lower energy intake or food deprivation during growth, poor health, and increased all-cause mortality. Nevertheless, the links between adult height and longevity become tenuous if certain confounders (e.g. BMI, SES, educational attainment, etc.) are allowed for. Furthermore, numerous studies have found that like excess weight, tallness is costly in terms of longevity in late ontogeny, and shorter people tend to outlive their taller peers, especially if they are slim and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Therefore, there is currently a lack of agreement in the literature as to whether and how body height and lifespan are linked. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between adult stature and longevity on the basis of a large sample from a population-based cohort study. Data on declared height and exact dates of birth and death were available from 480,493 men and 364,666 women who died in the years 2004-2008 in Poland. To control for secular changes, the sample was divided into fifteen birth cohorts and each group was subsequently split into five height categories using pentiles, separately for both sexes. The analysis has revealed an inverse relationship between height and lifespan in men and women. However, after controlling for secular changes in height, the relationship turned out to be very weak and linear in men, and inverted U-shaped in women. In general, taller individuals had lower age at death compared to shorter ones, and this relationship was more pronounced and consistent in men. To sum up, these findings do not comport with the traditional belief that taller individuals live longer. The role of several possible biological mechanisms pertinent to enhanced longevity in smaller individuals was emphasized, and these biological factors were discussed.
Somatotype and body composition of volleyball players and untrained female students – reference group for comparison in sport
Authors: Pastuszak Anna , Buśko Krzysztof , Kalka Ewa
Published: December 2016

There is substantial evidence that somatotype and success in sport and physical performance are positively related. Existing somatotype data on athletes are useful as guidelines for sport selection and choice of training appropriate to the enhancement of desired somatotype characteristics. Updated somatotype data from non-athlete reference groups complement comparative analysis applied in assessing the effects of the training process and selection. The aim of this study was to determine the somatotype of untrained girls studying at Warsaw University of Technology in 2011, in order to create a current reference group for comparison, and to investigate the difference in body build of female volleyball players compared with the non-athlete group. Twelve Second Division female volleyball players (age 21.6±1.5 years, body height 177.3±6.2 cm, body mass 71.0±6.5 kg, training experience 8.4±3.4 years) and 150 female untrained students of the University of Technology in Warsaw (age 20.0±6.4 years, body height 166.5±6.4 cm, body mass 59.7±8.4 kg) participated in a study carried out in 2011. Somatotype was determined using the Heath-Carter method. The volleyball players were a little older and were significantly taller and heavier than female students (p<0.05). Significant differences between the groups were found in breadth of the elbow, breadth of the wrist, biacromial diameter, arm circumference and crus circumference (p<0.05). The mean somatotype of the volleyball players was 4.5-3.4-2.8. (4.5±1.0-3.4±1.2-2.8±1.3), whilst that of the untrained students was 5.1-3.6-2.8. (5.1±1.4-3.6±1.1-2.8±1.3); the groups did not differ significantly in somatotype. The groups were significantly different in body composition (F [kg] and LBM [kg]), as estimated by BIA and anthropometric methods (p<0.05). No differences were observed between the groups in the skinfolds. Morphological characteristics of the female volleyball players depended on the competition level and performance. Somatic features of the bodies of the volleyball players were dominated by the height of the body and the associated magnitude of the constituent characteristics.
Cost Estimate Reduction Using Analogue Building Materials
Authors: Platace Laura , Gusta Sandra
Published: December 2016

One of the most important parameters that is currently used in public and private procurement in building process is the lowest price. The legislation of Latvia permits that an estimate forming process does not include criterions of quality, durability, and the potential high cost of maintaining the building during the exploitation time. That allows the constructor to reduce the cost estimate by using cheaper construction product or technology and does not let to provide the highest possible quality and the basic principle of sustainable construction. One of possible construction cost reduction solutions is the replacement of building material with equal building material, at the same time assessing the quality and replacement impact on the direct costs of estimate. The tasks of the research are: (1) to do literature review on what is an estimate, what an estimate includes and the basis of estimate; (2) to analyse the existing construction estimate, to evaluate the used construction materials and to study technical characteristics of materials, to explore a specific construction junction; (3) to replace the selected construction materials with analogous, thus reducing the direct costs of estimate; (4) to evaluate the affect of the price of the construction material on quality; (5) to compare the obtained cost estimate with the current cost estimate; (6) to implement laboratory research and to compare technical characteristics of the construction materials and analogue materials in order to check if they are the performing parameters that are defined in the declaration of performance. After comparing of the obtained direct costs of construction and analysing the quality of construction materials it is possible to provide the most appropriate offer of the direct costs of estimate to satisfy the customer’s interests.
The Environmental and Economic Substantiation of Investments in Green Buildings
Authors: Kauškale Linda , Riemenschneider Frank
Published: December 2016

Investment tendencies in a country and particular region in general have a crucial role in the creation of the sustainable environment of the city, spatial planning and land use management. Green construction has great potential for investing and can provide variety of benefits for sustainable longterm development of the country. The aim of the research is to analyse the environmental and economical substantiation of investments in green buildings, with particular focus on the experience of Germany. The researchers used logical, inductive, quantitative and statistical analysis logical methods, analysis of scientific literature as well as comparative analysis. Lack of information is a peculiarity of real estate market, and especially affects the activities in green building construction, that also shows the necessity of developing economic and environmental criteria for substantiation of the decision-making process. Future research directions have been identified as well.
Social Partner Involvement in Latvia Special Economic Zones
Authors: Gulbis Ivo , Geipele Sanda
Published: December 2016

With increasing global competitiveness, countries must have instruments to attract and keep businesses. One way involves attracting a core of foreign investors with the help of special economic zones (SEZs) and integrating them in local economy, causing industrial clustering. The aim of this research is to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive analysis of clustering potential in Latvia via its special economic zones. The empirical research relied on survey results conducted among 27 business associations with the combined member count of over one thousand businesses, operating in 12 broad fields. Initial results gathered from the 24 organizations that responded to the interview questions show that there is a very low degree of involvement in the SEZ by various social partners. This shows that something has gone awry in the way SEZ operate in Latvia and has led to a lot of missed opportunities from both sides.
Differentiation of Five Species ofMegachile(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), based on Wing Shape
Authors: Falamarzi Shahram , Habibpour Behzad , Mossadegh Mohammad S. , Monfared Alireza
Published: December 2016

In the present work we used landmark-based geometric morphometrics to compare the wing shapes of five species ofMegachile(belonging to three subgenera) to confirm whether this technique may be used reliably for differentiation of this group. Analyses of wing shape by the use of principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical variate analysis (CVA) led to a clear differentiation among species. We found a close phenotypic similarity in wing shape betweenM. albisecta(belonging to the subgenus Creightonella) andM. picicornis(belonging to the subgenus Eutricharaea). According to the results of UPGMA, a higher degree of divergence betweenM. farinosa(belonging to the subgenus Pseudomegachile) and species belonging to other subgenera, was detected. The results of a cross-validation test indicated that geometric morphometrics is an effective technique to use for distinguishing betweenMegachilespecies. The reliability rate of this technique was between 85.71-100%. Using only two submarginal cell landmarks for generating shape variables, the cross-validation test correctly assigned individuals to their respective species, with a 92.85-100% reliability rate. Significant differences in wing size were obtained among the analysed species.
The Relationship of Weight and Ovarian Development in Bombus terrestris L. Workers under Different Social Conditions
Authors: Gosterit Ayhan , Koskan Ozgur , Gurel Fehmi
Published: December 2016

Egg-laying behaviour of bumblebee workers is highly flexible and influenced by the bees’ social status and social environment. In this study, the dependence of the starting time of ovarian development in Bombus terrestris workers was determined under four different social conditions. The purpose was to test the effect of group stimulation and the presence of a queen on ovarian development. The relationship between weight and the commencement of ovarian development in workers was also investigated. We created four test groups: (1) 8 callow workers with a queen, (2) 8 callow workers without a queen, (3) 1 callow worker with a queen, and (4) 1 callow worker without a queen. Mated and hibernated (freshly awoken) B. terrestris queens made up Group 1 and 3. There was no significant difference between the starting times of ovarian development in the experimental groups composed of 8 callow workers in queenright (9.81 ± 2.44 days) and queenless (9.53 ± 2.53 days) conditions. However, ovaries of workers confined singly with a queen started to develop significantly earlier (11.77 ± 3.30 days) than workers confined singly without a queen (14.70 ± 3.56 days). The observations indicate that the presence of a queen does not inhibit the ovarian development of workers. The Point-Biserial Correlation Coefficient between the starting of ovarian development in workers and their weight was −0.013. However, there was a positive correlation between the weight and the ovarian developmental status of workers in groups containing 8 workers.
Management of the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella with Neem Azal- T/S, in the Laboratory and under Semi-Field Conditions
Authors: Elbehery Huda , El-Wahab Tarek Essa Abd , Dimetry Nadia Zakri
Published: December 2016

Different concentrations of Neem Azal-T/S were used in an artificial diet, to study the mortality of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella. A Neem formulation and different ages of natural beeswax combs were used for the effective management of the wax moth. While the diet was being prepared, Neem Azal-T/S was directly added ensure that the Neem formulation was distributed evenly in the diet at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%. The obtained results showed that the different concentrations of Neem Azal-T/S mixed in the prepared artificial diet had a significant efficacy against the tested 2nd instar larvae. An outstanding elongation of the 2nd larval instar was clear in comparison with the control, even at the least tested concentration (0.25%). Neem Azal-T/S at 4, 2,1, and 0.5% caused 100% mortality for all tested larvae. When using a 4% concentration, all the tested larvae died in the 2nd instar. However, when using a 2% concentration, the larvae died in the fifth instar. When using a decreased concentration of 1.0 and 0.5%, some of the larvae were tolerant and lived till the 6th instar. Feeding the larvae on beeswax combs treated with 2% Neem Azal-T/S, caused 100% mortality when fed on very old wax. When the diet was old wax treated with 2% Neem Azal-T/S, a 91% mortality was recorded. When the diet was new wax treated with 2% Neem Azal-T/S, a 90% mortality was recorded. A 4% Neem formulation caused mortality for all larvae during the first week of treatment on the different tested ages of beeswax combs.
Amino Acid and Vitamin Content of Propolis Collected by Native Caucasican Honeybees
Authors: Eroglu Nazife , Akkus Senem , Yaman Mustafa , Asci Baris , Silici Sibel
Published: December 2016

The polyphenol content of propolis has received a lot of attention due to the benign biological properties noted in the chemical composition studies. However, there are very limited studies about other chemical components found in trace amounts in nature which contribute to the therapeutic properties of propolis. The present study, therefore, investigated the amino acid and vitamin composition of propolis. Propolis harvested by 60 colonies of Apis mellifera caucasica belonged to local non-migratory beekeepers. The A. m. caucasica is known for its distinctive propolis collecting capability which native to the secluded Ardahan Province of Turkey. Vitamin (Thiamine, Riboflavin) combinations of propolis were determined using the HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) fluorescent detector. An amino acid analysis was also performed with the UFLC (Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography) system consisting of binary pump and UV/VIS. Our findings record that the vitamin and amino acid content of propolis samples collected from three areas of different altitudes in the same region differed from each other. Vitamin B1 content and Vitamin B2 content ranged between 0.025-0.16 mg/100g, and 0.304-0.777mg/100g, respectively. A maximum amount of amino acid was reported as leucine, while a minimum amount of amino acid was seen as tryptophan in Ardahan propolis. Consequently, the vitamin and amino acid content of propolis, which derived from secondary plant metabolites of resin, varied depending on their geographical altitudes. Those vitamin and amino acids found in the propolis composition are believed to have beneficial therapeutic properties.
Effects of Royal Jelly and Bee Pollen on the Growth of Selected Probiotic Bacteria (Bf. animalis Spp. Lactis, L. acidophilus and L. casei)
Authors: Guldas Metin
Published: December 2016

In this research article, the effects of bee pollen and royal jelly on the selected probiotic bacteria, as growth factors, were investigated. The probiotic cultures were activated in MRS broth at 37°C. Then, bee pollen and royal jelly (10 mg/100 μL, 25 mg/250 μL, 50 mg/500 μL, 75 mg/750 μL, and 100 mg/1000 μL) were added on the probiotic cultures in MRS broth and sampled at 0, 24, and 48 hours of incubation. The medias used for enumeration of the probiotic cultures were RCA (Reinforced Clostridial Agar) for Bf. animalis spp. lactis, MRS (deMann, Rogosa and Sharpe) Agar with D-sorbitol for Lb. acidophilus and MRS-Vancomycine Agar for Lb. casei. The lactic acid production by Lb. acidophilus, Lb. casei, and Bf. animalis spp. lactis, and acetic acid production by Bf. animalis spp. lactis, were determined to compare the bacterial proliferation. The probiotic cultures were mainly affected by the bee pollen and royal jelly during the first 24 hours. The changes observed in the number of probiotic counts between 24 and 48 hours were not significant, statistically (P<0.05). Generally, the probiotic bacterial counts increased parallel to the concentration of bee pollen or royal jelly up to 75mg, and remained unchanged above this concentration. In terms of lactic acid production and bacterial growth, the most significant growth was observed on Lb. acidophilus when bee pollen or royal jelly was added.
Rheological Properties of Some Honeys in Liquefied and Crystallised States
Authors: Bakier Sławomir , Miastkowski Krzysztof , Bakoniuk Jan Robert
Published: December 2016

The paper presents the results of rheological measurements conducted on three types of Polish honey: rape, multi-floral, and buckwheat honeys. The investigations involved identification of the properties of the honeys in both liquefied (by heating) as well as crystallised states. Both steady shear as well as dynamic rheological tests were performed. As a result, it was possible to show that the liquefied honeys behave like Newtonian fluids. Good agreement of the results between the rotary shear and oscillation rotary tests was observed, thus fulfilling the Cox-Mertz rule. The structure of the honeys was subjected to qualitative scrutiny by analysing photographs of the crystals taken in the conditions of shearing interferometry. The quantitative analysis was made by presenting a numerical distribution of crystal colonies with reference to the maximum dimensions of individual crystals. The geometric measurements of the crystals were carried out using analiSIS software. In the crystallised form, the media showed a thixotropic effect, and their apparent viscosity was many times higher than the dynamic viscosity in the liquid state. After plasticising by deformation with an increasing shear rate of up to 450s−1, the equilibrium melting curves of the crystallised honeys were described by the Ostwald-de Waele model. One particular reason for the research was to show that the results obtained for the honeys crystallised by the steady shear method, were qualitatively different from the results obtained in the dynamic measurements. The Cox-Mertz rule cannot be applied for the crystallised honeys.
Evaluation of Antimicrosporidian Activity of Plant Extracts onNosema ceranae
Authors: Kim Jeong Hwa , Park Jin Kyu , Lee Jae Kwon
Published: December 2016

Nosemosis is one of the most common protozoan diseases of adult bees (Apis mellifera). Nosemosis is caused by two species of microsporidia;Nosema apisandNosema ceranae.Nosema ceranaeis potentially more dangerous because it has the ability to infect multiple cell types, and it is now the predominant microsporidian species inA. mellifera. In this study, we identified two anti-nosemosis plants,Aster scaberandArtemisia dubia, which reduced the spore development ofN. ceranaein spore-infected cells. The most important aspect of our results was that our treatment was effective at non-toxic concentrations. Anti-nosemosis activities of both plants were revealed in honey bee experiments. Specifically, a mixed extract of bothA. scaberandA. dubiashowed stronger activity than treatment with each single extract alone. Although the mechanisms of action ofA. scaberandA. dubiaagainstN. ceranaeare still unclear, our results suggest new medicaments and therapeutic methods to controlN. ceranaeinfection.
Floral Diversity of Pollen Collected by Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) – Validation of the Chromatic Assessment Method
Authors: Conti Ida , Medrzycki Piotr , Grillenzoni Francesca V. , Corvucci Francesca , Tosi Simone , Malagnini Valeria , Spinella Martina , Mariotti Mauro G.
Published: December 2016

Pollen collected from flowers by forager bees is the only natural protein source for the hive. This nutritional compound is fundamental for the nurse bee and brood development, and for the queen activity. Pollen has a strong influence on colony health. It is also known that the pollen quality, in terms of the amino acid profile and total protein content, varies significantly according to the floral origin. For this reason, the palynological diversity assessed in corbicular pollen is a good measure of the quality of the environment the bees live in, in terms of available food.

An international research initiative “C.S.I. Pollen” aims to elaborate a pollen diversity map for all of Europe, carried out by beekeepers. Chromatic assessment of pellet colours will be used as a method. In our study, we wanted to validate this idea, through the comparison between the two methods: chromatic assessment of the diversity of pollen pellet colours and palynological assessment of the real pollen type diversity. In other words, we wanted to verify whether the pellet-colour profile reflects the palynological one.

We found a significant correlation between results obtained from the two methods but some improvements are also proposed in order to increase the determination coefficient and to reduce the differences given by the two answers.
Metrological Aspects of Abrasive Tool Active Surface Topography Evaluation
Authors: Lipiński Dariusz , Kacalak Wojciech
Published: December 2016

Analysis of the shape and location of abrasive grain tips as well as their changes during the grinding process, is the basis for forecasting the machining process results. This paper presents a methodology of using the watershed segmentation in identifying abrasive grains on the abrasive tool active surface. Some abrasive grain tips were selected to minimize the errors of detecting many tips on a single abrasive grain. The abrasive grains, singled out as a result of the watershed segmentation, were then analyzed to determine their geometric parameters. Moreover, the statistical parameters describing their locations on the abrasive tool active surface and the parameters characterizing intergranular spaces were determined.
Estimating the Approximation Uncertainty for Digital Materials Subjected to Stress Relaxation Tests
Authors: Adamczak Stanisław , Bochnia Jerzy
Published: December 2016

The main aim of the study was to determine the goodness of fit between the relaxation function described with a rheological model and the real (experimental) relaxation curves obtained for digital materials fabricated with a Connex 350 printer using the PolyJet additive manufacturing technology. The study involved estimating the uncertainty of approximation of the parameters of the theoretical relaxation curve. The knowledge of digital materials is not yet sufficient; their properties are not so well-known as those of metallic alloys or plastics used as structural materials. Intensive research is thus required to find out more about their behavior in various conditions. From the calculation results, i.e. the uncertainty of approximation of the relaxation function parameters, it is evident that the experimental curves coincide with the curves obtained by means of the solid model when the approximation uncertainty is taken into account. This suggests that the assumed solid model is well-suited to describe a real material.
Recent and subrecent diet of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in Slovakia
Authors: Obuch Ján , Danko Štefan , Noga Michal
Published: December 2016

We completed data on the diet of the barn owl (Tyto alba) predominately from pellets for the period of the last 50 years from Slovakia. We analyzed material from 251 locations and 16 territorial units. The aggregate represents 119,231 pieces of prey from 47 species of mammals (Mammalia, 95.7%) and 58 species of birds (Aves, 3.9%), with a small representation of amphibians, reptiles (Amphibia and Reptilia, 0.2%) and invertebrates (Invertebrata, 0.2%). The obtaining of food among the owls is limited to synanthropic environments and the surrounding agricultural landscape, and the centre of its distribution in the recent period (i.e. the past 50 years: 1965-201 5) has been concentrated mainly on the southern parts of Slovakia. In this environment the common vole (Microtus arvalis, 59.6%) is the primary prey. Additional prey are rodents of the family Muridae: Mus musculus (5.6%), Micromys minutus (2.2%), Apodemus microps (2.2%), A. flavicollis (2.0%), A. sylvaticus (1 .6%) and A. agrarius (1 .5%); insectivores of the family Soricidae: Sorex araneus (6.2%), S. minutus (2.4%), Crocidura leucodon (4.8%) and C. suaveolens (2.8%); and the house sparrow Passer domesticus (2.9%). In the higher situated Turcianska kotlina Basin the species M. arvalis (74.3%) has higher domination, and instead of the white-toothed shrews the water shrews Neomys anomalus (2.8%) and N. fodiens (1 .3%) are more abundantly represented. In 3 localities owls focused on hunting bats; for example, in the church in Ratková the order Chiroptera made up 35.2% of prey. From the subrecent period (i.e. from before more than 50 years ago) we evaluate 4 samples from the territory of Slovakia with 15,601 pieces of prey ofT. alba. Before more than 50 years ago owls were also more abundantly represented at higher elevations in Slovakia, evidence of which is Weisz’s collection of pellets from 1 6 localities in the Ondavská vrchovina Upland in the years 1945 to 1963, but also a registry of data from the 19th and 20th centuries from higher located basins. In 4 samples of food from the subrecent period diversity in the representation of owl prey is higher, accompanied by low domination ofM. arvalis and a more abundant representation of murids from the genera Mus and Apodemus. The oldest sample, dated to the 16th century, is from a church in Žilina-Rudiny
Validity Assessment of 5 Day Repeated Forced-Swim Stress to Model Human Depression in Young-Adult C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ Mice
Authors: Mul Joram D. , Zheng Jia , Goodyear Laurie J.
Published: December 2016

The development of animal models with construct, face, and predictive validity to accurately model human depression has been a major challenge. One proposed rodent model is the 5 d repeated forced swim stress (5d-RFSS) paradigm, which progressively increases floating during individual swim sessions. The onset and persistence of this floating behavior has been anthropomorphically characterized as a measure of depression. This interpretation has been under debate because a progressive increase in floating over time may reflect an adaptive learned behavioral response promoting survival, and not depression (Molendijk and de Kloet, 2015). To assess construct and face validity, we applied 5d-RFSS to C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice, two mouse strains commonly used in neuropsychiatric research, and measured a combination of emotional, homeostatic, and psychomotor symptoms indicative of a depressive-like state. We also compared the efficacy of 5d-RFSS and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), a validated depression model, to induce a depressive-like state in C57BL/6J mice. In both strains, 5d-RFSS progressively increased floating behavior that persisted for at least 4 weeks. 5d-RFSS did not alter sucrose preference, body weight, appetite, locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, or immobility behavior during a tail-suspension test compared with nonstressed controls. In contrast, CSDS altered several of these parameters, suggesting a depressive-like state. Finally, predictive validity was assessed using voluntary wheel running (VWR), a known antidepressant intervention. Four weeks of VWR after 5d-RFSS normalized floating behavior toward nonstressed levels. These observations suggest that 5d-RFSS has no construct or face validity but might have predictive validity to model human depression.
Inhibition of Poly-ADP-Ribosylation Fails to Increase Axonal Regeneration or Improve Functional Recovery after Adult Mammalian CNS Injury
Authors: Wang Xingxing , Sekine Yuichi , Byrne Alexandra B. , Cafferty William B.J. , Hammarlund Marc , Strittmatter Stephen M.
Published: December 2016

After traumatic damage of the brain or spinal cord, many surviving neurons are disconnected, and recovery of function is limited by poor axon regeneration. Recent data have suggested that poly ADP-ribosylation plays a role in limiting axonal regrowth such that inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) may have therapeutic efficacy for neurological recovery after trauma. Here, we tested systemic administration of the PARP inhibitor, veliparib, and showed effective suppression of PARylation in the mouse CNS. After optic nerve crush injury or dorsal hemisection of the thoracic spinal cord in mice, treatment with veliparib at doses with pharmacodynamic action had no benefit for axonal regeneration or functional recovery. We considered whether PARP gene family specificity might play a role.In vitromouse cerebral cortex axon regeneration experiments revealed that short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated suppression of PARP1 promoted axonal regeneration, whereas suppression of other PARP isoforms either had no effect or decreased regeneration. Therefore, we examined recovery from neurological trauma in mice lacking PARP1. No increase of axonal regeneration was observed inParp1–/–mice after optic nerve crush injury or dorsal hemisection of the thoracic spinal cord, and there was no improvement in motor function recovery. Thus, comprehensivein vivoanalysis reveals no indication that clinical PARP inhibitors will on their own provide benefit for recovery from CNS trauma.
Sure I'm Sure: Prefrontal Oscillations Support Metacognitive Monitoring of Decision Making
Authors: Wokke Martijn E. , Cleeremans Axel , Ridderinkhof K. Richard
Published: December 2016

Successful decision making critically involves metacognitive processes such as monitoring and control of our decision process. Metacognition enables agents to modify ongoing behavior adaptively and determine what to do next in situations in which external feedback is not (immediately) available. Despite the importance of metacognition for many aspects of life, little is known about how our metacognitive system operates or about what kind of information is used for metacognitive (second-order) judgments. In particular, it remains an open question whether metacognitive judgments are based on the same information as first-order decisions. Here, we investigated the relationship between metacognitive performance and first-order task performance by recording EEG signals while participants were asked to make a “diagnosis” after seeing a sample of fictitious patient data (a complex pattern of colored moving dots of different sizes). To assess metacognitive performance, participants provided an estimate about the quality of their diagnosis on each trial. Results demonstrate that the information that contributes to first-order decisions differs from the information that supports metacognitive judgments. Further, time–frequency analyses of EEG signals reveal that metacognitive performance is associated specifically with prefrontal theta-band activity. Together, our findings are consistent with a hierarchical model of metacognition and suggest a crucial role for prefrontal oscillations in metacognitive performance.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMonitoring and control of our decision process (metacognition) is a crucial aspect of adaptive decision making. Crucially, metacognitive skills enable us to adjust ongoing behavior and determine future decision making when immediate feedback is not available. In the present study, we constructed a “diagnosis task” that allowed us to assess in what way first-order task performance and metacognition are related to each other. Results demonstrate that the contribution of sensory evidence (size, color, and motion direction) differs between first- and second-order decision making. Further, our results indicate that metacognitive performance specifically is orchestrated by means of prefrontal theta oscillations. Together, our findings suggest a hierarchical model of metacognition.