bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selected elements of fiscal policy in the Visegrad Group Countries
Authors: Grabia Tomasz
Published: April 2020

The article discusses key problems of fiscal policy in four selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia) in years 2001—2014. The analysis covers, among others, indicators of public debt and its determinants, as well as indicators of budget revenues and expenditures.
The article points out that public debt increased in all the studied countries in the analysed period. Both structural and cyclical deficits were responsible for its build-up. The country with the best state of public finances was the Czech Republic. Although the situation improved from 2011 Hungary had the highest level of debt in relation to GDP. That country was also characterized by a degree of fiscalism, measured by both budget revenues and expenditures in relations to GDP, much higher than those for other countries.
Using data clustering in evaluation the diversity of poverty danger in Polish subregions
Authors: Kraszewska Beata
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the use of cluster analysis methods to assess the differentiation of risk of poverty in the Polish subregion. On the basis of data on the labor market, wages and social care, developed on the basis of the resources of the Local Data Bank of the CSO and their variable-correlation verification, the author has defined a set of diagnostic features used to determine the cluster of sub-regions similar in terms of risk of poverty. Results were compared with the results of study work in the field of spatial diversification of estimating at-risk-of-poverty rate (ARPR) in 2011 conducted by the Small Areas Statistics Centre of the Statistical Office in Poznań in cooperation with experts from the World Bank.
The risk degree of poverty in powiats and gminas of the Mazowieckie voivodship
Authors: Mikuła Aneta
Published: April 2020

The aim of the article is to present the spatial disparities of the degree of risk of poverty in Mazovian voivodship at regional (powiats) and local (gminas) levels. In order to determine the strength of the risk of poverty multivariate analysis was used taking into account monetary and non-monetary determinants of poverty. The synthetic index for districts and communes in Mazovian voivodship was elaborated using the method of standardized sums. The study used empirical data from the Local Data Bank prepared by Central Statistical Office for 2013. The analyses show significant internal diversity in factors affecting the income situation of the Mazovian society. There is a clear difference in the level of risk of poverty between urban and rural areas. Considering the value of synthetic index, Radom powiat is characterized by the greatest risk of poverty. The lowest risk is characteristic for communes located in Warsaw east and west subregion, bordering Warsaw directly.
Capital expansion of Polish companies abroad and international investment position of the country
Authors: Ptaszyńska Barbara
Published: April 2020

The aim of the study is to determine the effect of the size and structure of the Polish direct investment on the international investment position of the country. As it turns out, the impact of the Polish direct investment abroad on the Polish international position worsens. The article describes the conditions and the scale of Polish investment abroad in the years 1994—2013. Based on data from the Ministry of Economy, National Bank of Poland and agencies of foreign investment, it was found that Polish entrepreneurs direct their capital mainly in the services sector on the European market.
The innovativeness of enterprises in the EU countries
Authors: Baruk Jerzy
Published: April 2020

This article discusses innovativeness of enterprises functioning in the European Union based on the following measures: popularity of introducing innovation; the effects of introduced innovations; the commonness of conducting research and development activities; public support for introducing innovations. In this publication the statistical-comparative analysis of the results of empirical researches conducted by TNS Political&Social is made. This analysis showed that the following countries: Croatia, Malta, Portugal, United Kingdom and Italy were characterized by a relatively high share of companies implementing the various types of innovations. The opposite were: Estonia, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden and Hungary. The turnover achieved from implemented innovations were at the level of 1% to 25%. Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark distinguished in commonness of R&D realizing.
The effective transfer of information. Contemporary threats and challenges
Authors: Kończak Grzegorz
Published: April 2020

Computing power in recent decades was increasing steadily. Along with this, rise resources collected and transmitted data sets. Large collections of information need to enforce the selection by senders. At the same time it is not possible to receive all the generated information. The article presents the risks associated with uncritical acceptance of information on economic and social issues. Particularly helpful in the transmission of information to a mass audience may be the method of data presentation. Modern software enables to develop graphical presentation, which, through interaction with the user can contribute to effective dissemination of relevant information on socio-economic conditions.
Basic mathematical imputation techniques
Authors: Wesołowski Jacek , Tarczyński Jakub
Published: April 2020

The article presents the basics of imputation methodology (including the methodology of multiple imputation), focusing on understanding its mathematical background. We analyze the situation when observations in the original sample are independent random variables with identical distributions, and response or its lack is modeled by a random mechanism which is independent of observations. In particular, we point out to problems that arise when the standard Rubin estimate of the multiple imputation variance estimator is used. A possible improvement of this popular estimator is indicated. The starting point of the analysis is when the appearance of response deficiencies is caused by a deterministic mechanism.
Changes in the treatment of pension liabilities in the national accounts
Authors: Leszczyńska-Luberek Olga
Published: April 2020

The article describes the changes solutions in the recognition of acquired pension rights in the framework of social security in national accounts. The principles applicable to September 2014 and the new guidelines contained in the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008) and the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010) are discussed. The author indicats differences between the systems and presents European solutions. Arguments are given that determined the non-inclusion of unfunded pension liabilities of public pension systems to statistics produced for the purposes of the excessive deficit procedure.
The use of IT tools in higher education
Authors: Bąk Iwona , Wawrzyniak Katarzyna
Published: April 2020

The article presents the results of a study whose main objective was to answer the question to what extent the use of the computer and the Internet supports learning in higher education. The study also made it possible to know the status of the equipment the students in the computer equipment, how to use it and to assess their skills. The survey was conducted in April and May 2015 among full-time students of the largest Szczecin universities. The study used statistical methods aiming at the characteristics of the distributions of responses and relationships between them. In addition, the authors used multivariate correspondence analysis (suitability) to identify the coexistence of selected categories of characteristics.
Non-parametric modeling survival time of enterprises in Malopolska
Authors: Gurgul Henryk , Zając Paweł
Published: April 2020

The aim of the article is to assess the survival time of companies operating in Małopolska voivodship in the years 2006—2014. The method of duration analysis was used in the study. The research results confirmed that the units of the national economy with a larger number of employees operated longer than the smaller enterprises. However, the most frequent liquidations involved companies from the finance and insurance, and the least — from administrative sphere. Concerning location aspect, the longest existence of the enterprises was observed in Kraków City and rural districts: Kraków, Wieliczka and Tatra. The shortest existing companies were noted in Nowy Targ powiat. The companies established in cities were active, on average, longer than the ones in villages.
Changes in income and expenditure in the Pension Fund of farmers
Authors: Łuczka Władysława , Jabłońska-Porzuczek Lidia
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the development of revenue and expenditure of the Pension Fund (pl. Fundusz Emerytalno-Rentowy — FER) in the years 2003—2013. The article presents the sources of income, as well as the factors determining them. Particular attention was paid to the number of beneficiaries and the amount of benefits. In the analysed period, FER incomes and expenses were increasing at the same rate. FER incomes came mainly from the state subsidies and were intended for the payment of benefits. The data analysis indicates that the insured person, on average, paid a premium similar to the one paid to the beneficiary.
Comparative studies of the tourist attractiveness of Polish powiats with regard to their surroundings
Authors: Łysoń Piotr , Szymkowiak Marcin , Wawrowski Łukasz
Published: April 2020

The main aim of the article is to describe the method of including powiats’ surrounding area in the Polish research. In such analyses, information from beyond the examined area have not been considered so far. For the purposes of the study, a procedure was developed for setting the value of indicators including the resources from both a certain powiat and its’ surrounding area, which was determined according to consistent and transparent criteria. The exemplification of the method was presented for the cultural attractiveness index, which is one of the tourist attractiveness index components.
“Late births” – when there is a large intergenerational gap between children and parents (selected demographical as well as psychological and pedagogical aspects)
Authors: Jarzębińska Aneta
Published: April 2020

The study, whose results are presented in the article, was aimed at identifying the structure of the phenomenon so-called late births, which takes place when both parents, at the time of the child’s birth, exceeded the age determining the beginning of – in the case of women – “late motherhood”, and in the case of men – “late fatherhood”. In order to know this issue, the data contained in the Demographic Yearbook (for years 2014–2018) was analyzed. The focus was also on understanding the causes of late births phenomenon and its consequences for the child. For this purpose, an analysis of the content of discussions on four Internet forums (active from 2009–2018) and comments posted on the article on the Internet regarding late motherhood was carried out.
It was found out that in the years 2014–2018 the number of late births and their share in the total number of births increased (from 5.27% to 6.72%). Increases in the numbers of late births were noted for each of the fi ve-year age group, particularly clearly in the confi guration: father aged 40–44 and mother 45 and older. The following were recognized as the causes of the phenomenon of late births: postponing the implementation of reproductive plans, conception of a child, hoping that the child will be the guardian of aging parents, long period between attempts to conceive a child and pregnancy. Furthermore, it has also been found that Internet users see more restrictions than advantages of being a child born in the later years of parents’ life.
Experiencing loneliness by young adults
Authors: Wrótniak Joanna
Published: April 2020

Until recently, loneliness was mainly attributed to older, isolated people. Today, this problem is clearly escalating among young people, it is more and more often heard that our civilization gives birth to lonely people. The development of new technologies that particularly disturb the functioning of the young generation is conducive to this phenomenon. The aim of the research, the results of which are presented in this study, was to show the phenomenon of loneliness in the light of the experience of academic youth. The analysis shows that young people signifi cantly experience loneliness and most often associate it with a sense of emptiness, lack of a loved one, or they feel it despite the presence of others.
«Vi kastet elevene ut på dypet før». Bruk av eksempeltekster i skriveopplæringen hos fire norsklærere
Authors: Dversnes Gunvald
Published: April 2020

Bruk av eksempeltekster i skriveopplæringen har historiske røtter tilbake til antikken, men fikk fornyet interesse i Australia på 1980-tallet. I denne artikkelen forteller fire norsklærere fra ungdomsskolen og den videregående skolen hvordan de har tatt i bruk eksempeltekster i skriveopplæringen etter at eksempeltekstbegrepet ble introdusert i den reviderte læreplanen fra 2013 (LK13). Artikkelen undersøker lærernes beretninger i lys av planleggingsmodellen «Sirkelen for undervisning og læring», og den konkluderer med at lærerne i mange tilfeller oppfyller intensjonene bak planleggingsmodellen. Samtidig finnes det et ikke-forløst potensiale ved bruken av eksempeltekster hos de fire lærerne, ettersom ingen av dem konstruerer tekst i fellesskap med elevene sine.

Nøkkelord: Eksempeltekster, «Sirkelen for undervisning og læring», dialogteori, dekonstruksjon, felles tekstkonstruksjon

«Earlier, we threw students in at the deep end». Use of model texts in writing instruction among four Norwegian teachers

Abstract

The didactics of model texts has ancient roots, and has received renewed interests since the 1980s, particularly in Australia. In this article, four teachers, teaching Norwegian at the lower and upper secondary school, tell how they have made use of model texts since these were introduced into writing education with the revision of the Norwegian curriculum in 2013 (LK13). Their accounts are seen in light of the planning model “Teaching Learning Cycle”. This article concludes that the teachers generally fulfill the intentions behind the planning model. At the same time, the interviews show an unfulfilled potential in the use of model texts, for instance a lack of collaborative writing.

Keywords: Model texts, “Teaching Learning Cycle”, dialogue theory, deconstruction, collaborative writing
Humor und Lebenszufriedenheit im Deutsch-Dänischen Kulturvergleich
Authors: Jessen Rike
Published: April 2020

Däninnen und Dänen zählen seit vielen Jahren zu den glücklichsten Menschen der Welt. Hierfür wird häufig das dänische „hygge“-Phänomen als Erklärung herangezogen. Doch nicht nur dieses besondere Lebensgefühl, sondern auch der Humor in Dänemark ist einzigartig und über die eigenen Grenzen hinaus bekannt. Die Forschung zeigt: Positiver, freundlicher Humor hängt mit einer hohen Lebenszufriedenheit zusammen. Der dänische Humor wird jedoch typisch als tabulos, absurd und aggressiv beschrieben. Wie passt das zusammen?

Hierzu gibt es viele Annahmen, Theorien und Erklärungen. In diesem Buch wird der Zusammenhang zwischen unterschiedlichen Humorarten und -stilen und der Lebenszufriedenheit eingehend untersucht. Es wird außerdem erstmals analysiert, wie sich der dänische vom deutschen Humor unterscheidet und welche mögliche Rolle das Geschlecht hierbei spielt.
Transbronchial Cryobiopsy in the Diagnosis of Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Mehrad Mitra , Colby Thomas V. , Rossi Giulio , Cavazza Alberto
Published: April 2020

Context.—

Transbronchial cryobiopsy is an emerging procedure to obtain lung tissue for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and has gained popularity because it is less invasive and has a lower rate of complications compared with nonselective surgical lung biopsy.

Objective.—

To provide an overview of the status of the medical literature regarding transbronchial cryobiopsy.

Data Sources.—

A literature search was performed using PubMed search engine. The terms “cryobiopsy” or “cryoprobe” and “interstitial lung disease” or “diffuse parenchymal lung disease” or “pulmonary fibrosis” were used, with the search concluding at the end of November 2019.

Conclusions.—

While the diagnostic yield of transbronchial cryobiopsy is slightly lower than surgical lung biopsy, a growing amount of literature suggests that with a multidisciplinary approach cryobiopsy provides diagnostic and prognostic information approaching that of surgical lung biopsy with lower morbidity and mortality.
A iluminação cênica no processo criativo da atuação: princípios e práticas na Companhia de Teatro Engenharia Cênica
Authors: Moura Luiz Renato Gomes
Published: April 2020

O objeto de estudo deste artigo está centrado na problematização de como a experimentação da iluminação cênica na sala de ensaio colabora com a criação dos atores. A argumentação está fundamentada pelas experiências da Companhia de Teatro Engenharia Cênica, do estado do Ceará, em diálogo com os conceitos de atuação polifônica de Ernani Maletta e visualidade de Eduardo Tudella, com o objetivo de levantar questões a respeito de como as relações entre iluminação e atuação podem ser investigadas na gênese da criação da cena.
Tecnologia na iluminação cênica e a capacitação profissional: autonomia/procedimentos automatizados
Authors: Benevides Pedro Dultra
Published: April 2020

A tecnologia na iluminação cênica passou por sucessivas e constantes atualizações nos últimos anos, e um dos propósitos da indústria tem sido a fidelização de seus usuários. O presente texto apresenta uma reflexão sobre as influências desse contexto na capacitação dos profissionais. Reflito se a tecnologia pode condicionar a automatização dos procedimentos destinados à referida atividade artística. Para tanto, reúno fatos referentes à implantação dos sistemas de controle digital no Brasil; e, em seguida, exponho alguns procedimentos utilizados por artistas e técnicos envolvidos na iluminação. Por fim, especulo se mais influências promovidas pela tecnologia podem trazer consequências relevantes para o desenvolvimento de projetos de luz no teatro.
Le Noir au théâtre: de la violence à l´écosophie
Authors: Perruchon Véronique
Published: April 2020

Cet article porte sur la dimension profonde du noir au théâtre. Ce travail propose de répondre à la question sous-jacente au thème : comment parler de l'obscurité dans sa dimension la plus profonde ? Pour ce faire, le texte s'appuie sur des spectacles créés en France et de renommée internationale.
Estudo das possibilidades de iluminação cênica no Theatro José de Alencar
Authors: Freitas Walter Façanha , Teixeira Francimara Nogueira , Costa Gilson Brandão
Published: April 2020

Esse artigo é um estudo das possibilidades relacionadas à iluminação cênica em um teatro monumento, o Theatro José de Alencar. O estudo foi desenvolvido partir de três etapas de coleta de dados: visita em campo, pesquisa documental e entrevistas. Para tal, foi criado e utilizado um guia, fundamentado em teóricos, como Simões (2015), Barroso (2002) e Camargo (2000), a fim de discutir e relacionar possibilidades cênicas na execução de projetos luminotécnicos. A pesquisa documental buscou informações históricas sobre as estruturas cenotécnicas do referido teatro. Das entrevistas se colheu dados empíricos envolvendo a iluminação cênica para, através de análise comparativa com as estruturas luminotécnicas avaliadas, encontrar um repertório de possibilidades técnico-artísticas para o referido teatro, a partir das visitas realizadas. Através do levantamento e da análise das possibilidades de iluminação cênica desse equipamento, esse estudo acredita poder contribuir assim para fortalecer o Theatro José de Alencar, ao produzir uma pesquisa que pode auxiliar os profissionais que se utilizam dele com subsídios técnicos mais precisos para a realização de seus projetos e criações.
Os caminhos de Wagner da Conceição Pinto na luz cênica
Authors: Godois Ivo
Published: April 2020

Esta entrevista foi realizada no dia 06 de setembro de 2019, durante o evento A Luz em Cena, realizado de 02 a 06 de setembro de 2019 no Centro de Artes (CEART), da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC). Nela procurou-se levantar pontos que explicitassem o processo formativo de Wagner da Conceição enquanto iluminador cênico.
Impedance of copper electrode in slightly acid Cu(II)-glycine solutions
Authors: Survila A. , Kanapeckaitė S. , Gudavičiūtė L. , Girčienė O.
Published: April 2020

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to study the kinetics of reduction of Cu (II) in weakly acidic (pH 4 and 5) solutions of Cu (II) containing glycine (0.04 or 0.1 M) as a complexing agent. A rather slow equilibration was observed at pH 4 and glycine concentration cL = 0.04 M. With increasing pH or cL, the total concentration of intermediate Cu(I) decreases. At the same time, impedance increases over the entire range of frequencies applied. An equivalent circuit with two parallel sub-circuits, each containing the charge transfer resistance and Warburg impedance in series, was used to quantify the impedance spectra. The exchange current densities of two consecutive one-electron transfers were estimated. Their average values are ~1 µA cm–2 and ~0.1 mA cm–2.
Electrochemical investigations of the anticorrosive behaviour of the phosphated electrogalvanized steel additionally coated with conversion layer of cerium oxide
Authors: Girčienė O. , Gudavičiūtė L. , Selskienė A. , Kirdeikienė A. , Ramanauskas R.
Published: April 2020

The anticorrosive behaviour of the electrogalvanized carbon steel with PZn, PZnCa and PZnNi phosphate layers additionally coated with the conversion layers of cerium oxide in chloride-contaminated media has been studied. The composition and structure of investigated samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope SEM, while the corrosion behaviour was investigated applying voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy EIS measurements. The data obtained have shown that all investigated samples additionally coated with cerium oxide conversion coatings exhibited better protective abilities. To summarize the results of electrochemical and SEM measurements it was stated that the most porous (F = ~1–2%) PZnNi/Ce coating exhibited the best protective abilities in a chloride-contaminated solution. Therefore, cerium ions are able to penetrate into the substrate, which is zinc coated steel, through the open pores of the PZnNi layer.
Entorn d’unes codolades sobre els actes de fe mallorquins de 1691
Authors: Darder Moll August
Published: April 2020

En aquest article analitzem un poema compost en codolades que fou escrit amb motiu dels actes de fe celebrats aMallorca el 1691, les repercussions dels quals s’han fet sentir a la societat illenca fins ben entrat el segle XX. L’autorde la composició fou un mercedari anomenat Bartomeu Oliver, que suposadament fou testimoni dels esdevenimentsi els explicà en vers. En aquest treball fem primer una breu referència al context en el qual es desenvoluparen elsprocessos, a continuació donem algunes dades sobre l’autor i, tot seguit, ens centrem en les característiques delpoema, tant formals com de contingut. Ens proposem mostrar, mitjançant l’anàlisi de l’obra, la voluntat que tenial’autor de justificar els fets –posició que no fou l’únic a defensar– i com compongué un poema de lectura fàcil peròal mateix temps enginyós que podia resultar entretingut per a bona part de la població del seu temps.
La narrativa de les dones a Lo Rat Penat. Calendari Llemosí (1874-1883)
Authors: Mollà Bononad Guillem
Published: April 2020

En aquest treball es pretén visibilitzar les dones que van publicar narrativa durant la Renaixença al País Valencià.Aquest treball és fruit d’un altre treball anterior. Però ara centrem el focus en la narrativa breu que es va publicaral País Valencià a l’anuari Lo Rat Penat. Calendari Llemosí (1874-1883), concretament hem volgut visibilitzar lesdones que hi van publicar narrativa breu durant aquests anys. Cal entendre, però, aquest treball en el seu context: elcircuit literari en català estava en fase embrionària, per la qual cosa no hi ha gaires publicacions. Per tant no existia lapossibilitat de professionalització, de manera que molts escriptors ho eren per fer una tasca més de redreçament de lasituació que per aspiracions de professionalització. D’altra banda, la llengua de la Renaixença és prenormativitzada,per la qual cosa, el model de llengua que trobem als textos serà una llengua amb vacil·lacions, que els escriptorsintentaran solucionar com bonament creuran. Hem d’afegir que hi ha poques dones que publiquen, en general,en aquests anys en què el circuit literari en català estava bastint-se. Tot i això, aquesta publicació de ConstantíLlombart ofereix unes poques narracions breus de dues dones. Pretenem explicar qui eren les dues escriptoresque publiquen, exposar-ne el recorregut vital i classificar el tipus de narrativa que van publicar-hi. Les dones quepubliquen narrativa breu a Lo Rat Penat. Calendari Llemosí (1874-1883) són Manuela Agnés Rausell i Maria deBell-lloc. La primera d’elles publica dues peces curtes i l’última una només, al llarg dels 10 anys de vida que vatenir la publicació dirigida per Llombart.
La vigència del sistema pronominal tripartit tu/vós/vostè en català contemporani
Authors: Dandova Michaela
Published: April 2020

L’article se centra en l’ús de les formes pronominals en català tu, vós i vostè, que recentment ha reemplaçat la forma vós en la majoria de situacions, excepte en el context administratiu, religiós, cerimonial o algunes comunitats de gitanos catalans. A partir dels resultats dels dos qüestionaris (1r = 330 respostes, 2n = 155 respostes), la forma vostè és percebuda pels catalanoparlants de diferents àmbits com una expressió de respecte i distància, contràriament al vós, que expressa el respecte, però també un afecte. A més, els resultats mostren algunes diferències interessants en la percepció de funcions d’aquests pronoms entre els enquestats més joves i els més grans, entre homes i dones del nostre grup o entre regions de parla catalana. Els joves enquestats perceben la forma vós com més formal que vostè, encara que antigament fos a la inversa. A banda d’això, els enquestats confirmen que l’ús esporàdic i inestableactual de vós es reflecteix en el seu ús gramatical erroni, p. ex. utilitzant la barreja de les formes tu/vós o vós/vostè dins d´una frase. Segons els resultats de l’enquesta el sistema pronominal tripartit encara està en ús, però el grau d’utilització, els contextos i les funcions pragmàtiques han canviat.Paraules clau: sociolingüística; pronoms de tractament; català; pronoms honorífics; cortesia pronominal.
Continua sent un tret característic del català actual, la dislocació a la dreta? Anàlisi de sis obres teatrals catalanes i de la seva traducció al castellà
Authors: Huguet Puig Sara
Published: April 2020

Aquest article pretén ser una aproximació a l’estat de vitalitat de les dislocacions a la dreta (DD) en la llengua catalana espontània actual, i comparar-ne l’ús amb el castellà. Per això analitzo un corpus textual format per sis obres teatrals catalanes del segle XXI i la traducció corresponent al castellà. Seguint les variables establertes per Villalba (2007) ?categoria i funció gramatical, funció del discurs i distància respecte de l’antecedent? s’identifica un menor nombre de DD; malgrat tot, es troben en pràcticament totes les categories i funcions gramaticals i discursives i en qualsevol distància respecte de l’antecedent. La conservació de l’estructura DD en castellà ha estat escassa: principalment són de caràcter nominal i realitzen, sobretot, funcions de subjecte i complement directe. Moltes DD han estat traduïdes utilitzant recursos alternatius com l’ordre canònic i, en menor mesura, l’omissió de l’element dislocat, el pleonasme, la dislocació a l’esquerra o la creació d’una nova oració alternativa. Aquest fet demostra que la llengua selecciona el recurs que s’adequa més a les necessitats per presentar una informació. El català, tot i seguir utilitzant aquest recurs sintàctic que el singularitza i que contrasta amb una llengua tan propera com el castellà, en va disminuint l’ús.Paraules clau: dislocació a la dreta; sintaxi; pragmàtica; contrast català-castellà; productivitat.
Pengaruh inisiasi menyusu dini terhadap kematian neonatal pada bayi berat lahir >=2500 gram dan pada bayi berat lahir rendah di Indonesia
Authors: Rezky Ana Maina , Adisasmita Asri C
Published: April 2020

Kematian balita banyak terjadi pada masa neonatal. Inisiasi menyusu dini sebagai bagian asuhan bayi baru lahir dapat menjadi langkah awal meningkatkan kelangsungan hidup bayi neonatal. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh inisiasi menyusu dini terhadap kematian neonatal pada bayi berat lahir ≥2500 gram dan pada bayi berat lahir rendah di Indonesia. Data penelitian bersumber dari data Survei Demografi Kesehatan Indonesia tahun 2012. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain studi kohort retrospektif. Jumlah sampel penelitian adalah 12.914 bayi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bayi berat lahir ≥2500 gram (HR 2,526 : 95% CI 1,113 – 5,736 : p=0,027) dan bayi berat lahir rendah (HR7,640 : 95% CI 1,761 – 33,142 : p=0,007) yang tidak diinisiasi menyusu dini berisiko mengalami kematian neonatal. Tenaga kesehatan yang membantu persalinan dalam menjalankan inisiasi menyusu dini sebagai asuhan bayi baru lahir. Edukasi terhadap calon ibu mengenai inisiasi menyusu dini perlu lebih digalakkan.
Partial loss of CFIm25 causes learning deficits and aberrant neuronal alternative polyadenylation
Authors: Alcott Callison E , Yalamanchili Hari Krishna , Ji Ping , van der Heijden Meike E , Saltzman Alexander , Elrod Nathan , Lin Ai , Leng Mei , Bhatt Bhoomi , Hao Shuang , Wang Qi , Saliba Afaf , Tang Jianrong , Malovannaya Anna , Wagner Eric J , Liu Zhandong , Zoghbi Huda Y
Published: April 2020

We previously showed that NUDT21-spanning copy-number variations (CNVs) are associated with intellectual disability (Gennarino et al., 2015). However, the patients’ CNVs also included other genes. To determine if reduced NUDT21 function alone can cause disease, we generated Nudt21+/- mice to mimic NUDT21-deletion patients. We found that although these mice have 50% reduced Nudt21 mRNA, they only have 30% less of its cognate protein, CFIm25. Despite this partial protein-level compensation, the Nudt21+/- mice have learning deficits, cortical hyperexcitability, and misregulated alternative polyadenylation (APA) in their hippocampi. Further, to determine the mediators driving neural dysfunction in humans, we partially inhibited NUDT21 in human stem cell-derived neurons to reduce CFIm25 by 30%. This induced APA and protein level misregulation in hundreds of genes, a number of which cause intellectual disability when mutated. Altogether, these results show that disruption of NUDT21-regulated APA events in the brain can cause intellectual disability.
The use of pseudo-multivariate standard error to improve the sampling design of coral monitoring programs
Authors: Montilla Luis M. , Miyazawa Emy , Ascanio Alfredo , López-Hernández María , Mariño-Briceño Gloria , Rebolledo-Sánchez Zlatka , Rivera Andreína , Mancilla Daniela S. , Verde Alejandra , Cróquer Aldo
Published: April 2020

The characteristics of coral reef sampling and monitoring are highly variable, with numbers of units and sampling effort varying from one study to another. Numerous works have been carried out to determine an appropriate effect size through statistical power; however, these were always from a univariate perspective. In this work, we used the pseudo multivariate dissimilarity-based standard error (MultSE) approach to assess the precision of sampling scleractinian coral assemblages in reefs of Venezuela between 2017 and 2018 when using different combinations of number of transects, quadrats and points. For this, the MultSE of 36 sites previously sampled was estimated, using four 30m-transects with 15 photo-quadrats each and 25 random points per quadrat. We obtained that the MultSE was highly variable between sites and is not correlated with the univariate standard error nor with the richness of species. Then, a subset of sites was re-annotated using 100 uniformly distributed points, which allowed the simulation of different numbers of transects per site, quadrats per transect and points per quadrat using resampling techniques. The magnitude of the MultSE stabilized by adding more transects, however, adding more quadrats or points does not improve the estimate. For this case study, the error was reduced by half when using 10 transects, 10 quadrats per transect and 25 points per quadrat. We recommend the use of MultSE in reef monitoring programs, in particular when conducting pilot surveys to optimize the estimation of the community structure.
Intra-articular injection of decellularized extracellular matrices in the treatment of osteoarthritis in rabbits
Authors: Zhang Yaxin , Dai Jihang , Yan Lianqi , Sun Yu
Published: April 2020

Background

We investigated the role of decellularized cartilage matrix in osteoarthritis to seek a new treatment for this disease.

Methods

Knee cartilage from rabbits was decellularized and the degree of decellularization was assessed. A grinder was used to turn acellular cartilage into particles, which were then used in a suspension. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to an operation on their anterior cruciate ligament for the osteoarthritis model. The success of the animal model of osteoarthritis was evaluated using results from six rabbits. The remaining 24 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (groups A, B, C, and D). Rabbits in groups A, B, C, and D were injected with 200 µl of normal saline, 200 µl of 10% (w/v) cartilage decellularized suspension, 200 µl of 20% (w/v) cartilage decellularized suspension, and 200 µl of 40% (w/v) cartilage decellularized suspension into the knee joints, respectively. Macroscopic and microscopic assessments were performed three months after surgery to assess the degree of osteoarthritic changes.

Results

Histological and biochemical analysis revealed that the cartilage decellularized matrix removed cells after decellularization but retained components of collagen and glycosaminoglycan. Group A exhibited the most significant changes from osteophyte and cartilage erosion, which was macroscopically observable on the surface of the femoral cartilage. HE staining in group A revealed damage to the cartilage surface, disorganized chondrocytes, and spontaneous fibrocartilage formation. Safranin O-fast green staining revealed a cavity formed at the osteochondral junction in group A that did not appear in other groups.

Conclusion

Our study shows that decellularized cartilage matrix has a certain therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis and provides new insights in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Population structure and microbial community diversity of two common tetillid sponges in a tropical reef lagoon
Authors: Baquiran Jake Ivan P. , Nada Michael Angelou L. , Posadas Niño , Manogan Dana P. , Cabaitan Patrick C. , Conaco Cecilia
Published: April 2020

Sponges are predicted to dominate future reef ecosystems influenced by anthropogenic stressors and global climate change. The ecological success of sponges is attributed to their complex physiology, which is in part due to the diversity of their associated prokaryotic microbiome. However, the lack of information on the microbial community of many sponge species makes it difficult to gauge their interactions and functional contributions to the ecosystem. Here, we investigated the population dynamics and microbial community composition of two tetillid sponges identified asCinachyrellasp. andParatetillasp.,which are common on coral bommies in a reef lagoon in Bolinao, northwestern Philippines. The sponges ranged in size from 2.75 ± 2.11 to 6.33 ± 3.98 cm (mean ± standard deviation) and were found at an average density of 1.57 ± 0.79 to 4.46 ± 3.60 individuals per sq. m. on the bommies. The tetillid sponge population structure remained stable over the course of four years of monitoring. Prokaryotic communities associated with the sponges were distinct but had overlapping functions based on PICRUSt2 predictions. This convergence of functions may reflect enrichment of metabolic processes that are crucial for the survival of the tetillid sponges under prevailing conditions in the reef lagoon. Differentially enriched functions related to carbon, sulfur, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism, cellular defense, and stress response, may influence the interactions of tetillid sponges with other biota on the bommies.
Determinants of Rural Households Food Insecurity in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Eshetu Fassil
Published: April 2020

Aim: This study aimed at examining the level and determinants of food insecurity of rural households in Southern Ethiopia using a sample of 574 households and two-stage least square estimation.

Materials and Methods: A total sample of 574 rural households was selected from the three Districts proportionately: 160, 262 and 178 sample households from Demba Gofa, Kamba and Chencha District respectively. Samples of 11 kebeles or Peasant Associations were selected from the three Districts proportionately depending on the number of kebeles in each District.

Results: The mean level of household food insecurity access score is 7.1847 or about 79.83 per cent of households in the study areas are food insecure. The study found that rural households at moisture stress low lands are more food insecure compared to households at middle lands and high lands. The two-stage least square estimation also revealed that food availability theory related factors such as family size and land size significantly affect food insecurity in the study areas. Moreover, food entitlement theory related factors like market access, education, livestock ownership, off-farm participation and productive safety net participation also significantly influenced food insecurity in Southern Ethiopia. Thus, both the demand and supply side factors are the main causes of food insecurity in Southern Ethiopia.

Conclusion: Government has to invest in infrastructure so as to link production centres with consumption centres. Transforming the highly vulnerable rain-fed agriculture to more resilient irrigation-based agriculture is crucial so as to boost agricultural productivity and set an end to food insecurity in the country. Provision financial services and off-farm job opportunities for rural unbanked people, population control via family planning or adult education and ensuring political stability can reduce the vulnerability of the population to food insecurity in the study areas.
A Comparative Study of in vivo Plant and in vitro Callus Extracts of Centratherum punctatum Cass
Authors: Madhumitha K. Mercy , Anbumalarmathi J. , Sharmili S. Aruna , Nandhini G. , Priya G. Shanmuga
Published: April 2020

The present study aims at comparative study between plant and callus extract, with respect to analysis of phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity properties of Centratherum punctatum using aqueous medium and different solvents such as, methanol and ethyl acetate. In vitro studies in MS media supplemented with BAP 4.5 mg/L + Kn 4.0 mg/L has shown the high callus induction percentage of 92.33% with a maximum callus weight of 1.08 g. The phytochemical analysis of aqueous, methanol and ethyl acetate extract of C. punctatum in vivo plant and in vitro callus showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and carbohydrates. The aqueous extract of both plant and callus showed the presence of tannins, proteins and steroids whereas the methanol extract showed the presence of tannins, amino acids and terpenoids. The ethyl acetate extract showed terpenoids and protein. FTIR analysis of plant and callus aqueous extract had a maximum characteristic band at 3399.87 cm-1 and 3412.73 cm-1 respectively indicating the presence of N-H stretching. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 11 different compounds in ethyl acetate extracts of plant and the callus extract revealed the presence of 15 different compounds which was absent in the plant extract. Plant extract exhibited maximum total phenol content than callus extract. The in vitro callus extract showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity with lower inhibition percentage than in vivo plant extract. A maximum zone of inhibition was observed in methanol extract of in vivo plant and in vitro callus (15 mm and 14 mm respectively) against Bacillus subtilis. The ethyl acetate extract of in vivo plant and in vitro callus had a zone of 14 mm and 12 mm against E. coli. A maximum zone of inhibition (12 mm and 11 mm respectively) was observed in both methanol and ethyl acetate of in vivo plant and in vitro callus against Staphylococcus aureus. Antiproliferative analysis revealed that in vivo plant has inhibitory percentage of 23.6 whereas callus exhibited 28.5% against HeLa cells.
A Thermostable and Alkalitolerant Arabinofuranosidase by Streptomyces lividus
Authors: Olajide Abimbola , Adesina Felicia C. , Onilude Abiodun A.
Published: April 2020

Aim: The study aimed at producing and purifying thermostable and alkalitolerant microbial arabinofuranosidase using local Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) as substrate.

Study Design: This is an experimental design in which samples were collected thrice and  subjected to laboratory analyses from which quantitative data were obtained and analysed.

Place and Duration of Study: Ibadan, Nigeria, Five months.

Methodology: Bacterial strains were isolated from degrading PKC by serial dilution and pour plate technique on formulated Modified Basal Salt Agar Medium and incubated at 50°C for enzyme activity screening. Plates were afterwards flooded with 1% congo red solution for visualization of hydrolysis zone. Its arabinofuranosidase activity was optimized in solid state fermentation in PKC. Production temperature, pH, moisture content, inoculum size and agitation were studied for optimization test. Optimal production temperature and pH for arabinofuranosidase by isolate was 45°C and pH 9. Produced arabinofuranosidase was purified to apparent homogeneity with ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis and column chromatography techniques. Stability of arabinofuranofuranosidase obtained to temperature, pH, substrate concentration and some ions was determined as well as its molecular weight using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

Results: Isolate with highest arabinofuranosidase activity was selected and identified as Streptomyces lividus. Purity level attained was 16.36 fold. Enzyme had a specific activity of 25.4 U/mg, and total enzyme activity of 13.2 U.  Molecular weight of enzyme appeared as a band of 30 kDa. Purified arabinofuranosidase enzyme revealed optimum temperature and pH as 60oC and 9 respectively. Enzyme was stable over a broad pH range of 3-11, and temperature of 30-80oC. Residual activity after incubating for 1 hour at 70oC was 64%. Enzyme kinetics studies showed Km and Vmax values for P-nitrophenyl arabinofuranoside were 2.3mM and 0.7U/min respectively.

Conclusion: Apart from Solid State Fermentation (SSF) of PKC being a potential fermentation technique for production of arabinofuranosidase by Streptomyces lividus, the enzyme was highly stable.
Assessing the Potential of Elaeis guineensis Plantations for Carbon Sequestration and Fresh Fruit Bunch Yield in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Rakesh S. S. , Davamani V. , Banu K. Sara Parwin , Maragatham S. , Lakshmanan A. , Parameswari E. , Velmurugan M.
Published: April 2020

Elaeis guineensis is one of the potential carbon sequestering perennial crop by biological means. It has helped in the mitigating global warming and climatic fluctuations. The main objective of our study is to evacuate the hidden potential treasure of oil palm in carbon sequestration and vegetable oil yield. In this study we selected Tenera hybrids oil palm plantations in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu with standard management practices. It had been selected in the year 2019 and assessed for carbon sequestration potential and Fresh fruit bunch yield by non-destructive carbon stock assessment methods and standard estate practices for harvest. In our study the carbon sequestration is higher in trunks found to be 15.3 t C/ha (tons carbon per hectare) in 5 years and 26.6 t C/ha in 10 years while roots sequestered carbon for about 4.0 t C/ha in 5 years and 6.93 t C/ha in 10 years plantations. The fronds sequesters about 1.39 t C/ha in 5 years and 2.1 t C/ha in 10 years oil palm plantations while the fresh fruit bunch yield in 5 years and 10 years plantations were found to be 7.60 t/ha/year (tons per hectare per year) and 12.31 t/ha/year respectively. The present study evidenced that the biomass production and fresh fruit bunch yield in oil palm proportionally increases with the age group.

This study holds that the higher biomass production which increases carbon sequestration and yields in oil palm helps in altering of the microclimate and to increase the economic benefits of farming communities.
Comparative Studies among Different Genotypes of Soybean (Glycine max L.) against Salinity Stress
Authors: Siddiki S. A. , Wagh S. G. , Sul R. S. , Pawar K. R. , Harke S. N.
Published: April 2020

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a significant legume of food and plays a vital role in human livelihood. It is rich in proteins (40%), which contain major essential amino acids, and edible oil (20%). Salinity stress affects soybean yield 30-80%. Salinity stress significantly reduces net photosynthetic rates, increases energy losses for the mechanism of salt exclusion, substantially decreases nutrient intake and ultimately results in reduced plant growth. Present investigation was conducted to show how morphological and biochemical changes occur due to the stress of salinity on the soybean plant genotypes. Stress with salinity resulted in increased protein and proline content to withstand stress with salinity. Better root length, shoot length fresh weight and dry weight were observed of JS-355 variety. The JS-355 variety demonstrated the better response to all concentrations of salt stress used from 40 mM to 280 mM. As the salt concentration increases, so does the protein and proline concentration. The JS-355 variety showed the better results at all salt concentrations. The highest protein and proline content at high salt concentration was observed in varietyJS-355.