bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERISTIC OF MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF COWS-HEIFERS WITH DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF SOMATOTROPIN (GH)
Authors: Сафина Наталья , Safina Natal'ya , Гилемханов Ильназ , Gilemhanov Il'naz , Зиннатова Фарида , Zinnatova Farida , Шакиров Шамиль , Shakirov Shamil'
Published: October 2019

. Polymorphisms of genes may be useful as genetic markers for additional selection criteria in dairy cattle breeding for economically advantageous traits. The presented study is dedicated to the influence of gene polymorphism, responsible for milk quality and milk productivity was carried out among Holstein cow-heifers in Integrated Agricultural Production Centre “Stud farm named after Lenin” of Atninsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. DNA samples were isolated from blood samples of 130 cows for genotyping according to gene of growth hormone (GH) by PCR-RFLP analysis method. The genotypes distribution of the somatotropin gene were as follows: LL – 63.8% (83 animals), LV – 30.0% (39 animals), VV – 6.2% (8 animals), the distribution in frequency of occurrence of alleles L - 0.788 and V - 0.212. When considering the gene polymorphism association with the signs of milk production and the qualitative composition of milk showed prominent results cow-heifers with a LL genotype. The identified relationships indicate the possible genetic improvement of the investigated herds using marker-assisted selection.
THREE-SECTION SOIL PROCESSING UNIT WITH UNIVERSAL REPLACEABLE WORKING UNITS
Authors: Ахалая Бадри , Ahalaya Badri , Шогенов Юрий , Shogenov Yuriy , Старовойтов Сергей , Starovoytov Sergey , Ценч Юлия , Cench Yuliya , Шогенов Анзор , Shogenov Anzor
Published: October 2019

A three-section tillage unit has been developed that allows several operations to be performed in one pass: slotting to a depth twice as deep as cultivation, cultivation, crushing the soil and harrowing. At the same time, the grip width of the chopper and harrow of the first and third sections is equal to the width of three cultivating points, and the second base section is five, the operation of the unit with the proposed arrangement of working units improves the quality of the soil treatment. The design of a universal cultivating point of a new sample is presented, containing a chisel located in the bow and slotting machines in the form of two disks with teeth. Using the proposed universal cultivator point of a new sample provides improved soil cultivation by achieving more stable cultivator progress, increasing the unhindered access of irrigation water to the underlying layers of the root zone of plants, improving the water-air regime of the soil environment, increasing the operational reliability of the slotting machine and reducing the consumption of fuels and lubricants to 15 % A promising direction in the development of combined units with removable working units is the creation of combined working units for both sowing seeds, applying mineral fertilizers and herbicides, with the aim of conducting direct sowing of row crops in both dotted and combined ways. The combination of tillage operations with the placement of several working units on one rack allows you to reduce the number of frames in the unit while reducing the metal consumption of the structure by 10 ... 15%, which leads to an increase in the economic efficiency of the tillage unit.
ASSESSMENT OF DISTRIBUTION OF DISINFECTING LIQUID DROPS ON THE SURFACE PROCESSED
Authors: Иванов Борис , Ivanov Boris , Зиганшин Булат , Ziganshin Bulat , Рудаков Александр , Rudakov Aleksandr , Лушнов Максим , Lushnov Maksim
Published: October 2019

The presence of a surface characteristic of a liquid, when passing through which the density of a substance changes stepwise, determines a number of its properties. Liquid particles located in a layer immediately adjacent to the surface are in a state different from the state in their thickness. This difference is due to the peculiarity of molecular interaction. So, to move a molecule from the thickness of the surface to the surface, it is necessary to spend some work. This causes an increase in the power of equipment for protecting farm animals from diseases and pests, as well as an additional consumption of disinfectant liquid. In this work, material is given on the methodology and technical support of protection systems. The patterns of movement of droplets of working solutions of disinfectants in the spray torch and their effects on the treated surface are investigated. Ways to increase the effectiveness of disinfection are identified. The effectiveness of the use of disinfectants can be determined by two main criteria: physical measurements of the coating density (in the form of the number of drops per unit area, pcs. ∙ m2) and volumetric mass deposition rate (l · m2) on the treated surface of the object; biological assessment is carried out in order to determine the degree of reduction in the number of harmful objects (fungal and infectious diseases) or damage in the treated area. The relationship between physical and biological methods for assessing the effect of disinfectants on the irrigated surface is not simple, since the processing efficiency depends on many factors: droplet size; working fluid flow rates; drug concentration; retention of droplets on the target; temperature, humidity and environmental mobility, etc.
MAIN DIRECTIONS AND PROBLEMS OF DIGITALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL COMPLEX
Authors: Ситдиков Фарит , Sitdikov Farit , Цой Юрий , Tsoy Yuriy , Зиганшин Булат , Ziganshin Bulat
Published: October 2019

Global digital technologies permeate all modern aspects of society. In private life, in business, in the activities of state bodies, advanced technologies are widely used. The development and spread of the Internet and modern technology is often associated with the digital revolution, which fundamentally and rapidly changes the picture of the world around us and the structure of relations in it. It should be noted that the agro-industrial complex in particular, like the entire agricultural industry as a whole, is actively involved in the digitalization process. This trend is due to the general directions of the social and economic development of our state, which is reflected in the Main directions of the Government of the Russian Federation for the period until 2024 [11] In particular, one of the key tasks is: the introduction of digital technologies and platform solutions in public administration and the provision of public services, including in the interest of the public. Digitalization of the agro-industrial complex should result in the development of agriculture capable of ensuring the food security of the country and the improvement of the efficiency of the agro-industrial complex; Promoting digitalization of the economy, creating conditions for the development of new sectors of the economy, ensuring the most favorable conditions for innovation; Promoting innovation and investment, including investment in human capital; Ensuring development of infrastructure and improvement of its quality, use of digitalization and innovative technologies for this purpose.
FEATURES OF ECONOMIC SUBJECTS DEVELOPMENT IN THE RUSSIAN REGIONS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN AND PENZA REGION)
Authors: Габдрахманова Гульнара , Gabdrahmanova Gul'nara , Сагдиева Эльвина , Sagdieva El'vina
Published: October 2019

The modern diversity of the agricultural sector in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation stimulates further optimization of decisions in the field of managing the country’s territories. Regional differentiation is largely related to the priorities of economic entities in the formation of agricultural policy. The hypothesis is formulated in the article and arguments are presented that show that between the All-Russian agricultural censuses of 2006 and 2016 there was a further deepening of differences in the rural industry of the regions of the Russian Federation. This is manifested in the redistribution of production specializations and in the development of the resource potential of economic entities. The authors present the results of All-Russian population censuses of 2006 and 2016 in the Republic of Tatarstan and Penza region. They calculated the relative indicators of agricultural activity of agricultural organizations, peasant farms and private farms in these constituent entities of the Russian Federation. It has been revealed that Tatarstan is characterized by a soft intensification of agriculture and a policy of strengthening all business entities. In Penza region, their reduction and accelerated development of some entities is observed. In it, the surviving business entities have become more economically sound. A comparison of the regions revealed a deepening of their production specializations. They are similar in that the rural entrepreneurship did not become a significant participant in the agricultural sector, although there is an increase in the availability of its equipment.
FEATURES OF RURAL TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERNIZATION OF ECONOMY
Authors: Газетдинов Миршарип , Gazetdinov Mirsharip , Семичева Ольга , Semicheva Ol'ga , Газетдинов Шамиль , Gazetdinov Shamil
Published: October 2019

The article explores the impact of economic modernization on the social and economic situation of rural residents. It justifies the need to develop mechanisms to regulate the activities of business entities taking into account the fundamental interests of the rural population, such as improving and leveling the social and economic conditions of life in order to freely develop the personality of each resident of rural areas. It is alleged that rural areas have their own specifics, which is associated with traditions, culture and relatively low population density. The specificity is manifested in the fact that the rural economy can be simultaneously represented by agriculture and forestry, industrial production, tourism and recreation, and other industries. These areas of activity can become complementary to the main specialization of entrepreneurship in a particular rural area. Two features of the development of rural territories in the near future are distinguished: due to the effective use of the latest achievements of scientific and technological progress and the improvement of technological processes in modern agricultural units, the need for labor resources is reduced; a decrease in the demand for labor resources from agriculture leads to a deterioration in the social and economic situation, and, as a consequence, to an outflow of the population from rural areas. The need for the development of a special social-targeted block in any comprehensive modernization programs is argued. This block should contain requirements that ensure a well-defined character and sequence of social changes in work.
DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS OF PERSONNEL ATTESTATION OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE
Authors: Клычова Гузалия , Klychova Guzaliya , Закирова Алсу , Zakirova Alsu , Клычова Айгуль , Klychova Augul , Гимадиев Ильдус , Gimadiev Ildus
Published: October 2019

In modern conditions, the formation, rational use and development of human resources are relevant for any agricultural enterprise. Personnel development should be based on an effective system of adaptation, certification and motivation of employees. Certification of personnel is a procedure in which systematically, using the methods of personnel assessment, assesses the compliance of the activities of a particular employee with a certain standard for performing work in this position and at this workplace. In addition, the certification process assesses the performance of employees and their personal and business qualities. The study substantiates the need to develop an effective certification system that will best meet the goals of the agricultural organization, its needs and the organizational culture that has developed in it. The article defines the purpose of certification, which is to assess the conformity of the effectiveness of personnel competence with the goals and requirements of the enterprise; rational use of human resources; increasing the responsibility and effectiveness of staff; strengthening corporate culture. The stages of certification of personnel are highlighted and characterized. In the article, as a methodological support for certification, the form “Form for evaluating managers, specialists, and competency workers” is proposed, which records information on his performance indicators, qualifications, professional experience, strengths and weaknesses, and the possibility of transferring to a more responsible and difficult job. According to the presented list of competencies, a quantitative assessment is made of the conformity of the attestant for each item with the requirements of the position. The methodological toolkit for personnel certification developed during the study will help establish the professional and personal potential of the employee, create a talent pool and improve the activities of the personnel recruitment company; will determine the degree of conformity of the level of knowledge of the post, the effectiveness of the personnel, the need for advanced training of employees, standards for encouraging employees to improve their skills.
Development of physical fitness – gender differences and characteristics
Authors: Piotrowska Katarzyna , Pabianek Łukasz
Published: October 2019

Physical activity, recreational sports as well as competitive sports effect the human body. Changes that occur under training are mainly connected to the adaptation process of body to specific form of activity. But on the other hand, changes that may be observed may lead to body functioning dysregulations that may affect health of sportsmen. Most of the changes are being observed mainly in the functioning of the female body system, despite the fact that they are not gender specific.  In women, the undesirable effect of intensive training and heavy training loads may be inhibition of sexual maturation, withdrawal of the menstrual cycle and its irregularity, as well as resolution of the reproductive system function. That’s why the understanding of gender specific changes are so important for the sportsmen and trainers to understand what may be observed during training and what it may lead to.The aim of this work was to show the basic differences between gender physical fitness development observed during body development and physical training.
Neonatal Tetanus Evaluation of Treatment and a Proposal for Classification of Severity
Authors: Husada Tjandra , Rampengan T. H. , Harjanto Ign. , Arif I. D. , Munir Muzief
Published: October 2019

An evaluation was made on 22 neonates with Tetanus Neonatorum (age 5 - 21 days), who were admitted to the Military Hospital, Teling, Manado, in 1973. Seventeen of our patients were babies born in their homes and were delivered by the "dukun kampong"; 5 babies were born in the maternity clinic and were helped by midwives.

The therapy given were :

Anti-Tetanus serum 10,000 U, single dose, given immediately on admission.

Procain Penicilline 100,000 U/kg. b.w./day; i.m. divided into 2 equal doses for 10 days.

Diazepam (valium) 5 mg./kg. b.w./day; oral, divided into 8 equal doses, and 2.5 mg, parenterally 4 times a day.
Gastrointestinal Aspects of Malnutrition in Children
Authors: Gracey Michael
Published: October 2019

Throughout history mankind has suffered many scourges. In many parts of the world improvements in living standards, hygiene, nutrition, medical care and preventive public health programmes have made many of these infectious , diseases things of the past. However, in the so called "developing" countries, diarrhoeal diseases of infancy and childhood are still major problems which cause many millions of deaths each year (Mata, 1985).
A Study Comparing Rooming-in with Separate Nursing
Authors: Mapata Syafruddin , M. Djauhariah A, , Daud Dasril
Published: October 2019

A study comparing rooming-in with separate nursing involving 253 and 161 pairs of mothers and their newborns respectively, was carried out in Ujung Pandang General Hospital from September 1985 to February 1987 inclusive. Breastmilk production started earlier in mothers on rooming-in program compared to those with separate nursing. Jaundice was more often seen and physiological body weight loss more obvious in the separate nursing than in the rooming-in group. This study failed to show the differences in the incidence of diarrhea and moniliasis between the two systems, but the overall morbidity of nosocomial infections seemed to be lower in the rooming-in group.
Description of Renal Biopsy in Frequently Relapsing and Corticosteroid Non Responsive Nephrotic Syndrome in Childhood
Authors: Bahrun D. , Nazir M. , N. K. Yangtjik
Published: October 2019

A study of 71 children with nephrotic syndrome admitted to the Department of Child Health, Medical School, Sriwijaya University Palembang General Hospital between November 1981 and November 1983 has been reported.

Of the 71 children, there were 50 (70.4%) boys and 21 (29.6%) girls, in which 31 were less than 6 years of age. During the first eight weeks complete rem1sswn was found in 66 patients. The other five were steroid resistant.

Among the 66 patients who responded to steroid, 61 had remission with the first 4 weeks. Further observation up to two years, 3 patients were still in remission, 36 had one relapse and 22 had frequent relapses.

The other 5 patients, who had remission on the second 4 weeks, one had one relapse, two had frequent relapses and the other two were not available for follow up.

Renal biopsy was performed in 31 patients. The representative results of the renal biopsy were found in only 20 patients :

Eleven patients showed minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Ten of these patients had frequent relapses while one patient was steroid resistant. Two had renal insufficiency.

Three patients had focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS); two of them were frequently relapsing patients and the other one had steroid resistant.

Four patients had mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (Mes. PGN). All of them had frequent relapses.

One patient with diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) was steroid resistant.

One patient with crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) was also steroid resistant.
Robust Multisource Remote Sensing Image Registration Method Based on Scene Shape Similarity
Authors: Hao Ming , Jin Jian , Zhou Mengchao , Tian Yi , Shi Wenzhong
Published: October 2019

Image registration is an indispensable component of remote sensing applications, such as disaster monitoring, change detection, and classification. Grayscale differences and geometric distortions often occur among multisource images due to their different imaging mechanisms, thus making
it difficult to acquire feature points and match corresponding points. This article proposes a scene shape similarity feature (SSSF) descriptor based on scene shape features and shape context algorithms. A new similarity measure called SSSFncc is then defined by computing the normalized
correlation coefficient of the SSSF descriptors between multisource remote sensing images. Furthermore, the tie points between the reference and the sensed image are extracted via a template matching strategy. A global consistency check method is then used to remove the mismatched tie points.
Finally, a piecewise linear transform model is selected to rectify the remote sensing image. The proposed SSSFncc aims to extract the scene shape similarity between multisource images. The accuracy of the proposed SSSFncc is evaluated using five pairs of experimental
images from optical, synthetic aperture radar, and map data. Registration results demonstrate that the SSSFncc similarity measure is robust enough for complex nonlinear grayscale differences among multisource remote sensing images. The proposed method achieves more reliable registration
outcomes compared with other popular methods.
Soil Moisture Retrieval Using Modified Particle Swarm Optimization and Back-Propagation Neural Network
Authors: Tao Liangliang , Wang Guojie , Chen Xi , Li Jing , Cai Qingkong
Published: October 2019

In order to eliminate the influences of surface roughness and vegetation on radar signals in the vegetation-covered soil moisture estimation, the present paper proposes a combining method based on modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) and back-propagation (BP) neural network algorithm.
This method combines optical and radar data at the field scale and uses MPSO to optimize the weight of the neural network. An effective inertia weight is introduced in the MPSO and an implicit relationship between backscatter coefficient and soil moisture is established. Experimental results
show that the combining method produces better accuracy than other inversion methods with R2 of 72.2% and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.033 cm3/cm3, respectively. Meanwhile, the estimated accuracy of surface soil moisture using radar and optical data simultaneously
is much higher than that using only a single data source as input with R2 of 0.827 and RMSE of 0.029 cm3/cm3. Therefore, the combining method can effectively improve the accuracy of soil moisture retrieval and provide support for large-scale agricultural monitoring.
Reforma do Ensino Médio no Brasil e crise mundial da educação: uma análise reflexiva da flexibilização das humanidades na educação básica
Authors: Fávero Altair Alberto , Costa Daiane Rodrigues , Centenaro Junior Bufon
Published: October 2019

O presente artigo discute a reforma do ensino médio no Brasil (lei 13.415/2017) tendo por escopo apontar suas limitações na medida em que negligencia aspectos básicos para a formação humana, integral e democrática ao assumir um viés mercantilista e tecnicista. Para isso, nos baseamos nas reflexões de Martha Nussbaum, que aponta os riscos que os países estão correndo ao priorizar apenas aspectos lucrativos na educação dos cidadãos. Nosso estudo busca responder satisfatoriamente a seguinte pergunta: em que medida o novo ensino médio representa uma guinada para um viés mercantilista da educação? Amparados em pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, de caráter analítico-hermenêutico, temos como hipótese de que o “novo ensino médio”, ao relativizar as artes e as humanidades, entre elas a filosofia, fragiliza o processo de formação integral do sujeito.
Aula expositiva e Paulo Freire
Authors: Andreata Mauro Antonio
Published: October 2019

Nas tradicionais aulas expositivas, os alunos ficam em silêncio e imóveis. Mesmo quando o professor é um excelente expositor, os resultados da verificação da aprendizagem costumam ser inexpressivos. Preocupados com o mau desempenho nas verificações da aprendizagem e com a passividade dos alunos, alguns autores fizeram críticas à aula expositiva. Os professores brasileiros, todavia, costumam conhecer apenas a técnica expositiva. Por isso, discutimos as principais vantagens e desvantagens da aula expositiva, apresentamos as características de uma boa aula expositiva e, com base nos princípios educacionais freirianos, fazemos dez sugestões para que as potencialidades da aula expositiva sejam aproveitadas ao máximo. Em especial, destacamos a importância de incluir o diálogo entre professor e educandos e entre os educandos nas aulas. Nossa proposta é aplicável em qualquer sala de aula, tanto urbana quanto rural, sem a necessidade de dispor de recursos sofisticados.
Pre-analytical and analytical confounders of serum calprotectin as a biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Van Hoovels Lieve , Vander Cruyssen Bert , Bogaert Laura , Van den Bremt Stefanie , Bossuyt Xavier
Published: October 2019

Background

There is a need for additional biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of our study was to evaluate the (pre-analytical, analytical and clinical) performance of serum calprotectin as a marker of inflammation in RA.

Methods

The study population included 463 rheumatologic patients (including 111 RA patients and 352 controls) who for the first time consulted a rheumatologist, 20 healthy controls and 27 patients with an infectious disease. Calprotectin was measured (using four different assays) in serum or in serum and EDTA plasma (healthy controls and infectious disease group). For rheumatologic patients, results for C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) were available.

Results

Results for blood calprotectin were assay- and matrix-dependent, with higher values found in serum than in plasma. Serum calprotectin was higher in RA patients than in rheumatologic diseased controls and in healthy controls. Serum calprotectin was lower in RA patients than in patients with an infectious disease. Serum calprotectin was associated with disease activity (DAS score). The area under the curve (AUC) to discriminate RA from controls was 0.756 for CRP, 0.714 for ESR and 0.726–0.783 for calprotectin.

Conclusions

Our data document that calprotectin measurement is assay- and matrix-dependent. Serum calprotectin is associated with disease activity. Additional (prospective) studies are warranted to further evaluate the prognostic and diagnostic value of blood calprotectin measurements.
Underfilling of vacuum blood collection tubes leads to increased lactate dehydrogenase activity in serum and heparin plasma samples
Authors: Neuwinger Nick , Meyer zum Büschenfelde Dirk , Tauber Rudolf , Kappert Kai
Published: October 2019

Background

Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) activity is routinely monitored for therapeutic risk stratification of malignant diseases, but is also prone to preanalytical influences.

Methods

We systematically analyzed the impact of defined preanalytical conditions on the hemolysis-susceptible parameters LD, potassium (K) and hemolysis index in vacuum blood collection tubes (serum [SE], heparin plasma [HP]). Blood was collected by venipuncture from healthy volunteers. Tubes were either filled or underfilled to approximately 50%, then processed directly or stored at room temperature for 4 h. Potassium (K), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), LD, creatine kinase (CK), total cholesterol, and indices for hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia were analyzed. Filling velocity was determined in a subset of tubes. Findings in healthy volunteers were reconfirmed in an in-patient cohort (n = 74,751) that was analyzed for plasma yield and LD data distribution.

Results

LD activity was higher in HP compared to SE. Underfilling led to higher LD values (SE: +21.6%; HP: +28.3%), K (SE: +4.2%; HP: +5.3%), and hemolysis index (SE: +260.8%; HP: +210.0%), while other analytes remained largely unchanged. Filling velocity of tubes was approximately 3-fold higher in the first half compared to the second half in both HP and SE collection tubes. Importantly, plasma yield also inversely correlated with LD in routine patients. By calculating reference limits, the lowest plasma yield quartile of the patient cohort displayed LD values clearly exceeding current reference recommendations.

Conclusions

Underfilling of tubes leads to a higher proportion of blood aspirated with high velocity and relevant elevations in LD. This finding should be considered in cases of clinically implausible elevated LD activities.
Cellular resolution in clinical MALDI mass spectrometry imaging: the latest advancements and current challenges
Authors: Ščupáková Klára , Balluff Benjamin , Tressler Caitlin , Adelaja Tobi , Heeren Ron M.A. , Glunde Kristine , Ertaylan Gökhan
Published: October 2019

Mass spectrometry (MS) is the workhorse of metabolomics, proteomics and lipidomics. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), its extension to spatially resolved analysis of tissues, is a powerful tool for visualizing molecular information within the histological context of tissue. This review summarizes recent developments in MSI and highlights current challenges that remain to achieve molecular imaging at the cellular level of clinical specimens. We focus on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MSI. We discuss the current status of each of the analysis steps and remaining challenges to reach the desired level of cellular imaging. Currently, analyte delocalization and degradation, matrix crystal size, laser focus restrictions and detector sensitivity are factors that are limiting spatial resolution. New sample preparation devices and laser optic systems are being developed to push the boundaries of these limitations. Furthermore, we review the processing of cellular MSI data and images, and the systematic integration of these data in the light of available algorithms and databases. We discuss roadblocks in the data analysis pipeline and show how technology from other fields can be used to overcome these. Finally, we conclude with curative and community efforts that are needed to enable contextualization of the information obtained.
Reducing Legal Uncertainty and Regulatory Arbitrage for Robo-Advice
Authors: Maume Philipp
Published: October 2019

Robo-advisers are online financial adviser services that use algorithms to create investment recommendations without human input. They deliver advice at low costs and they are growing in popularity. However, the nature of the interaction between client and machine raises many legal questions under the applicable EU regulation. This article argues that robo-advisers provide investment advice within the meaning of the Second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFiD2). They are subject to authorisation by the national regulator and ongoing conduct requirements. It might be tempting to introduce regulatory sandboxes to address the persisting legal uncertainties in practice, but such a regulatory change does not seem likely in the near future. Instead, regulatory arbitrage should be reduced by a uniform application of the MiFiD2 framework throughout the EU. Regulators and courts should also be aware that software replacing human advisers diverges from the basic idea of human interaction that forms the basis of contract law. Investment firms are able to use new technology in the services they provide. However, as this means introducing new risks for investors, the investment firm should be subject to a strict liability regime for failures of the respective technology (for example, the unavailability of the service).
The effect of leader humor on employee adaptability
Authors: Chow Irene Hau-siu
Published: October 2019

Building on affect-as-information theory, this study empirically tested a conceptual model of how and under what conditions a leader’s use of humor influenced employees’ adaptability using a sample of 209 subordinates and their supervisors in China. The results reveal the important mediating effect of pleasant feelings and the moderating effect of a need for humor. The impact of leader humor transmitted through pleasant feelings is effective only when an employee’s need for humor is high. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Effects of carrying school bags on cervical and shoulder posture in static and dynamic conditions in adolescent students
Authors: Mandrekar Shivani , Chavhan Dinesh , Shyam Ashok K. , Sancheti Parag K.
Published: October 2019

Background

Neck and Back Pain in Students is closely related to the school bags that they carry. There is a dearth of literature in terms of postural changes due to school bags in adolescents, especially those discussing postural changes in static and dynamic loading conditions.

Objective

To assess the effects of weight, position, and time of school bag carriage in static and dynamic conditions on cervical and shoulder posture in adolescent students.

Subjects

Seventy adolescents (35 Females, 35 Males) between 10 and 15 years of age.

Methods:Craniohorizontal Angle, Craniovertebral Angle, Sagittal Shoulder Posture, Anterior Head Alignment were assessed in 7 different conditions using Photographic Method and MB Ruler.

Results and Conclusion

Significant changes in Sagittal Shoulder Posture and Craniohorizontal Angle were found with unilateral school bag carriage as compared to minimal significant postural changes with bilateral carriage. Maximal significant postural changes, in terms of all outcome measures were noted during loaded dynamic activity. Craniovertebral Angle kept significantly reducing with time. Immediate assessments taken with a school bag weighing 13.5% of the body weight showed a significant decrement in the Craniohorizontal Angle. Even a bag weighing less than 10% of the body weight proved to bring about biomechanical changes, when assessments were taken during the activities that a child has to perform with a school bag (Post Standing, Post Walking, and During Walking).
Swarm robotics: Robustness, scalability, and self-X features in industrial applications
Authors: Heinrich Mary Katherine , Soorati Mohammad Divband , Kaiser Tanja Katharina , Wahby Mostafa , Hamann Heiko
Published: October 2019

Applying principles of swarm intelligence to the control of autonomous systems in industry can advance our ability to manage complexity in prominent and high-cost sectors—such as transportation, logistics, and construction. In swarm robotics, the exclusive use of decentralized control relying on local communication and information provides the key advantage first of scalability, and second of robustness against failure points. These are directly useful in certain applied tasks that can be studied in laboratory environments, such as self-assembly and self-organized construction. In this article, we give a brief introduction to swarm robotics for a broad audience, with the intention of targeting future industrial applications. We then present a summary of four examples of our recently published research results with simple models. First, we present our approach to self-reconfiguration, which uses collective adjustment of swarm density in a dynamic setting. Second, we describe our robot experiments for self-organized material deployment in structured and semi-structured environments, applicable to braided composites. Third, we present our machine learning approach for self-assembly, motivated as a simple model developing foundational methods, which generates self-organizing robot behaviors to form emergent patterns. Fourth, we describe our experiments implementing a bioinspired model in a robot swarm, where we show self-healing of damage as the robots collectively locate a resource. Overall, the four examples we present concern robustness, scalability, and self-X features, which we propose as potentially relevant to future research in swarm robotics applied to industry sectors. We summarize these approaches as an introduction to our recent research, targeting the broad audience of this journal.
A Novel and Simple Formalism for Study of Effect of Kerr Nonlinearity on Petermann I and II Spot Sizes of Single-Mode-Graded Index Fiber
Authors: Aich Jayanta , Maiti Anup Kumar , Majumdar Angshuman , Gangopadhyay Sankar
Published: October 2019

We present investigation of Petermann I and II spot sizes in the presence of Kerr nonlinearity. Our study is based on the simple power series formulation for fundamental modal field of single-mode-graded index fiber developed by Chebyshev formalism. Based on the said power series expression in the absence of nonlinearity, analytical expressions of the said spot sizes can be prescribed. Using the analytical expressions of the said spot sizes in the absence of nonlinearity, we apply iterative technique in order to predict the said propagation characteristics in presence of Kerr nonlinearity. In this context, we choose some typical single-mode step and parabolic index fibers. We show that the our results agree excellently with the exact results which can be obtained by using rigorous finite-element technique. This leads to verification of accuracy of our simple technique. Moreover, evaluation of the concerned parameters by our formalism involves little computation. Thus, our method provides an accurate but simple alternative to the existing rigorous methods in this context. Accordingly, this novel and simple formalism will prove user friendly to the system engineers in the field non linear optics.
Individual and Collective Action: Reply to Blomberg
Authors: Ludwig Kirk
Published: October 2019

Olle Blomberg challenges three claims in my book From Individual to Plural Agency (Ludwig, Kirk (2016): From Individual to Plural Agency: Collective Action 1. Vols. 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press.). The first is that there are no collective actions in the sense in which there are individual actions. The second is that singular action sentences entail that there is no more than one agent of the event expressed by the action verb in the way required by that verb (the sole agency requirement). The third, is that an individual intention, e.g. to build a boat, is not satisfied if you don’t do it yourself. On the first point, I grant that Blomberg identifies an important distinction between simple and composite actions the book did not take into account, but argue it doesn’t show that there are collective actions in the same sense there are individual actions. On the second point, I argue from examples that the collective reading of plural action sentences doesn’t entail the distributive reading, which requires the sole agency requirement on singular action sentences. This settles the third point, since it entails that if you intend to build a boat, you are successful only if you are the only agent of it in the sense required by the verb.
A semiosic translation of Paul Celan’s Schwarze Flocken and Weggebeizt
Authors: Torres-Martínez Sergio
Published: October 2019

The need for a comprehensive semiotic understanding of poetic translation is at the heart of the present paper. This task is framed in terms of a multidisciplinary theoretical framework termed semiosic translation that I apply in this article to the translation of Holocaust poetry. This type of poetry is characterized as a distinct sign system that poses a number of challenges to both translators and semioticians. One of the most conspicuous problems is the ineffability of nothingness, which is particularly evident in the poetry of Paul Celan. Building on the notions of abductive inference (Charles S. Peirce) and rule-following (Ludwig Wittgenstein), I introduce a method for the translation of two key poems Schwarze Flocken (‘Black Snowflakes’), corresponding to Celan’s early period, and Weggebeizt (‘Worn down,’ a poem written in 1963). The semiotic method applied shows that the underlying Firstness of Holocaust art (an anti-semiotic sign system) is the driving force behind Celan’s poetry. It is also suggested that iconicity and indexicality are not peripheral semiotic processes but central elements to elucidating how the translation across sign systems takes place.
Die Direktabspaltung
Authors: Schnorbus York
Published: October 2019

Das Gestaltungsinstrument der Direktspaltung ist in der Praxis nicht erprobt und wissenschaftlich kaum untersucht. Die vorliegende Untersuchung behandelt die Wirkungsweise und Zulässigkeit der Direktabspaltung sowie ihre Vorbereitung und Durchführung nach den maßgeblichen Bestimmungen des Aktien- und Umwandlungsrechts, insbesondere die Gestaltung des Spaltungsvertrags. Weiter behandelt die Untersuchung die Schutzmechanismen des Umwandlungsrechts, insbesondere im Hinblick auf Gläubiger- und Minderheitenrechte, und ihre Bedeutung im Falle der Direktabspaltung. Anschließend folgt die steuerliche Behandlung der Direktabspaltung. Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass die Direktspaltung für die Praxis ein geeignetes Mittel zur unmittelbaren Ausschüttung von Vermögenswerten (insbesondere Anteilen an Tochtergesellschaften) darstellt.
Whistleblowing als Regelungsaufgabe
Authors: Schmolke Klaus Ulrich
Published: October 2019

Das Thema Whistleblowing ist in den letzten Jahren zu einem festen Bestandteil der unternehmensrechtlichen Diskussion geworden. Die Debatte hat dabei im Zuge der politischen Auseinandersetzung über die neue EU-Richtlinie zum Schutz von Hinweisgebern noch einmal an Intensität gewonnen. Der vorliegende Beitrag unternimmt es, die Anforderungen an einen effizienten Regelungsrahmen für das Whistleblowing herauszuarbeiten. Hierzu wird das von Guido Calabresi für das Deliktsrecht formulierte Kostenminimierungspostulat auf die Regelung des Whistleblowing übertragen und für die Behandlung konkreter Streitthemen und Regulierungsfragen fruchtbar gemacht.
Association of adherence to the dietary approach to stop hypertension diet and diet quality indices among women in Tehran: A cross sectional study
Authors: Arghavani Hana , Daneshzad Elnaz , Namazi Nazli , Larijani Bagher , Askari Mohammadreza , Bellissimo Nick , Suitor Katherine , Azadbakht Leila
Published: October 2019

Background: Examining dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet based on other dietary quality indices can be helpful to clarify positive aspects of this healthy dietary pattern. We aimed to examine the association between the DASH diet score and some diet quality indices among Iranian women. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 304 women aged 20 to 50 years old were recruited. Dietary diversity score (DDS), dietary energy density (DED), adherence to DASH diet, AlternativeHealthy Eating Index (AHEI) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) were examined as suggested by previous articles. Dietary quality indices, anthropometric indices, and dietary intake were categorized based on DASH tertiles. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire with 168items was used for dietary assessment. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics of participants across DASH tertiles (P>0.05). Participants who adhered more to the DASH diet had lower DEDthan those with lower adherence (0.99±0.35 vs 1.26±0.30; P=0.01). Significant differences were observed in the index of DDS across tertiles (P=0.01), however no differences in nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and MAR (0.93) index across the DASH categories were found.Additionally, DDS to DED in the top tertile of the DASH diet was greater than the bottom one(6.7±2.9 vs 4.4±1.9; P=0.001). Conclusion: The present study indicated that greater adherence to the DASH diet is inversely associated with DED and AHEI. As well as, there was a positive association between the DASHdiet and DDS/DED ratio. However, more studies are needed to confirm the results of this study.
Is dietary vitamin B intake associated with weight disorders in children and adolescents? The weight disorders survey of the Caspian-IV Study
Authors: Taleban Roya , Heidari-Beni Motahar , Qorbani Mostafa , Esmaeil Motlagh Mohammad , Fazel-Tabar Malekshah Akbar , Moafi Mohammad , Hani-Tabaei Zavareh Neda , Kelishadi Roya
Published: October 2019

Background: Weight disorders are highly prevalent at the global level. Vitamin B groups are clearly involved in intracellular mechanisms, energy equation, and weight gain. The present study aims to evaluate the association of dietary vitamin B intake and obesity in a large pediatric population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among children and adolescents, aged 6-18years, living in urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran. The BMI-for-age classifications were as follow: percentile <0.1, (emaciated), 0.1 ≤percentile <2.35 (thin), 2.35 ≤percentile≤84.1 (normal), 84.1 <percentile ≤97.7 (overweight), 97.1 <percentile (obese). A valid 168-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess the usual dietary intake including vitamin B. Results: Out of 5606 children and adolescents participated (mean age: 11.62, SD: 3.32),46.8% were girls. The intake of thiamin, pyridoxine, niacin and pantothenic acid increased the likelihood of obesity, compared with the normal-weight group. Odds ratios (ORs) (95% CI) of obesity for vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6 were 1.32 (1.14-1.53), 1.01 (1.00-1.02), 1.04 (1.00-1.08),and 1.20 (1.04-1.38), respectively. Riboﬂavin, cyanocobalamin, biotin and folic acid did not have any significant association with weight disorders (B2: OR=1.09, 95% CI =0.99-1.20); B12:OR=1.00, 95% CI=0.98-1.03; B8: OR=1.00, 95% CI=0.99-1.00 B9: OR=1.00, 95% CI=1.00-1.00). Conclusion: The current study showed a significant correlation between consumption of vitamin B group and increased risk of excess weight.
Acute exercise and mindfulness meditation on learning and memory: randomized controlled intervention
Authors: Austin Malina , Loprinzi Paul D.
Published: October 2019

Background: The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the potential combined effects of acute exercise and mindfulness mediation on episodic memory. Methods: All data collection occurred in the authors’ laboratory (January to May of 2019). In this three-arm, within-subject design, participants (N=20; Mage=21.6 years) completed three counterbalanced laboratory visits, including Exercise Only, Exercise + Meditation and Control. Learning and memory were assessed from a word-list task. A one-factor repeated-measures ANOVA was computed for two memory outcomes, including the learning outcome (average performance across the 6 trials) and the long-term memory recall (10-minute delay). Results: The exercise conditions had a greater learning effect when compared to the Control visit, Mdiff = 0.68 (95% CI: 0.10, 1.25), P = 0.02. The Exercise + Memory visit had better longterm memory when compared to Exercise Only, Mdiff = 0.95 (95% CI: 0.07, 1.83), P = 0.03. Conclusion: The present experiment provides suggestive evidence that acute exercise may enhance learning and, when coupling acute exercise prior to encoding with meditation during early consolidation, long-term memory may be enhanced.
Coordinating health promotion in a federal state over the course of 30 years: a case report from Switzerland
Authors: Mattig Thomas
Published: October 2019

In a federal state such as Switzerland, the 26 cantons enjoy wide autonomy in all policy areas, including health policy. In the late 1980s, after the signing of the Ottawa Charter for health promotion, the Swiss Confederation and the cantons decided to create a foundation whose goal it was to initiate, coordinate and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention activities throughout the country. Thirty years later, the many stakeholders in the field have accepted health Promotion Switzerland as a key actor. The foundation was able to successfully initiate and coordinate projects in such priority areas as "Healthy Body Weight," "Mental Health –Stress" and "Strengthening Health Promotion & Prevention." But several challenges remain, for example, chronic noncommunicable diseases, an aging population, mental disorders, prevention in healthcare—challenges the foundation will have to face and to which it is expected to provide solutions.
Whisking Asymmetry Signals Motor Preparation and the Behavioral State of Mice
Authors: Dominiak Sina E. , Nashaat Mostafa A. , Sehara Keisuke , Oraby Hatem , Larkum Matthew E. , Sachdev Robert N.S.
Published: October 2019

A central function of the brain is to plan, predict, and imagine the effect of movement in a dynamically changing environment. Here we show that in mice head-fixed in a plus-maze, floating on air, and trained to pick lanes based on visual stimuli, the asymmetric movement, and position of whiskers on the two sides of the face signals whether the animal is moving, turning, expecting reward, or licking. We show that (1) whisking asymmetry is coordinated with behavioral state, and that behavioral state can be decoded and predicted based on asymmetry, (2) even in the absence of tactile input, whisker positioning and asymmetry nevertheless relate to behavioral state, and (3) movement of the nose correlates with asymmetry, indicating that facial expression of the mouse is itself correlated with behavioral state. These results indicate that the movement of whiskers, a behavior that is not instructed or necessary in the task, can inform an observer about what a mouse is doing in the maze. Thus, the position of these mobile tactile sensors reflects a behavioral and movement-preparation state of the mouse.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTBehavior is a sequence of movements, where each movement can be related to or can trigger a set of other actions. Here we show that, in mice, the movement of whiskers (tactile sensors used to extract information about texture and location of objects) is coordinated with and predicts the behavioral state of mice: that is, what mice are doing, where they are in space, and where they are in the sequence of behaviors.