bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building resilience of municipalities and regions innovative management to smart specialization
Authors: Brych Vasyl , Borysiak Olena , Górski Przemysław , Tkach Uliana , Hunko Serhii , Juszczyk Marta
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Adaptations to digitalization and climate change of all aspects of society are important issues of innovation management at the local and regional levels. The paper demonstrates: 1) the components of smart specialization in order to achieve municipalities and regions strategy goals; 2) the use of the mechanism of smart specialization to realize the entrepreneurial potential of the regional economy; 3) the introduction of smart specialization for the innovative development of the Ukrainian municipalities based on the European experience; 4) the indicators of building resilience of municipalities and regions innovative management to smart specialization.

Material and methods

Combination of dialectical approach to the knowledge of the components of smart specialisation and the methods of induction, deduction for the realisation of the entrepreneurial potential of the regional economy based on cross-industry clustering became the basis for the development of recommendations for municipalities

Results

Extending the sustainability of innovative municipal and regional governance to smart specialisation is to take into account the importance of using the main postulates of the smart specialisation mechanism to realise the innovation potential of the regional economy.

Conclusions

The priority directions of the agro-energy cluster model should be the establishment of a cluster model of "Government-Business-Science-Education" interaction. In order to achieve this goal, scientists from the Western Ukrainian National University justified and developed the Programme for Supporting Innovation in Areas of Smart Specialisation in the Ternopil Region for 2020-2023, which aims to implement innovative approaches to capacity building of the regional economy within the framework of smart, sustainable and comprehensive development.
Economic issue of using artificial neural networks with radial-basis transmission functions for modeling efficiency of management processes
Authors: Martynyuk Volodymyr , Dmowski Artur , Gąsior Marcin , Hajduk Grzegorz
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The paper presents the possibility of using artificial neural networks (ANN) with radial-basis transmission function (RBF) for modeling of economic phenomena and processes.

Material and methods

The basic characteristics and parameters of an ANN with RBF are shown and the advantages of using this type of ANN for modeling economic phenomena and processes are emphasized. Using an ANN with RBF, together with official statistics for 2010-2017, the modeling of the influence caused by work efficiency indicators of the customs authorities of Ukraine on the indicators of economic security of Ukraine was carried out. These eighteen indicators of economic security of Ukraine, which comprehensively characterize the economic status of the country in terms of production, social, financial, food, transport, energy, and foreign economic security, were chosen as the most informative indicators.

Results

The results of the study showed that Artificial neural networks with Radial-basis transmission function well describe the trend of changing state economic security indicators under the influence of changing performance indicators of customs authorities. This allows us to recommend this type of artificial neural networks for analysis, evaluation and forecasting of economic phenomena and processes.

Conclusions

The results obtained showed good analytical and prognostic properties of an ANN with RBF when modeling the impact of customs authorities' performance on the state's economic security indicators.
Woman as a conumer in the social media space
Authors: Wyrwisz Joanna , Solecka Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

Cel pracy

Tematem artykułu są media społecznościowe rozpatrywane w kontekście postaw i decyzji zakupowych kobiet. Zamierzeniem autorek jest ocena znaczenia i wykorzystania mediów społecznościowych w procesie decyzyjnym kobiet. W szczególności skupiono się na identyfikacji aktywności kobiet w mediach społecznościowych z uwzględnieniem ich wieku. Ocenie poddano także możliwości podjęcia przez kobiety decyzji o zakupie produktu w powiązaniu z contentem zawartym na profilach marek w mediach społecznościowych.

Materiał i metody

Artykuł ukazuje podejście badawcze oparte o studia literatury oraz badania empiryczne. Wychodząc od charakterystyki kobiety jako konsumenta, wykazano uwarunkowania decyzji zakupowych kobiet w zakresie nabywania kosmetyków Badania empiryczne przeprowadzono metodą sondażu diagnostycznego z wykorzystaniem kwestionariusza ankiety. Wyniki badań opracowano statystycznie.

Wyniki

Wyniki badań potwierdzają znaczenie mediów społecznościowych w procesie podejmowania decyzji o zakupie przez kobiety. Wpływ ten związany jest również z wiekiem kobiet. Szczególną rolę odgrywają tu takie czynniki jak: użyteczność treści, postrzegana wartość informacji, rekomendacja influencera, czy opinie innych użytkowników. Wyniki badań wyraźnie wskazują na rolę komunikowania marek w przestrzeni mediów społecznościowych. niezależnie od kanałów, metod i form tej komunikacji.

Wnioski

Wyniki badań wyraźnie wskazują na rolę komunikowania marek w przestrzeni mediów społecznościowych. niezależnie od kanałów, metod i form tej komunikacji.
All-dielectric absorber based on nano-graphite sheets/ionogels with configurable absorbing band
Authors: Wu Zhuang , Luo Jie , Fang Xiang , Zeng Yanan , Yang Yuntao , Qiao Shi , Zou Yanhong
Published: December 2023

With the increasing complexity of the electromagnetic environment, there is a growing demand for the manipulation of electromagnetic waves, leading to the rapid development in configurable microwave absorbers. All-dielectric absorbers offer broadband and high-intensity absorption effects in microwave absorption and shielding. However, they face a significant challenge: their performance is not adjustable once the design is completed. In this study, we propose a solution to this problem by creating all-dielectric absorbers with flexibly configurable absorbing properties. We achieve this by designing a composite material of ionogels/nano-graphite sheets into compressible deformable absorbing units that can be molded into different shapes using 3D printing modes. The plasticity allows us to change the performance of the all-dielectric absorber, including the microwave absorption intensity, absorption peak, frequency bandwidths, and wide-angle absorption performance. With this approach, we can flexibly manipulate electromagnetic waves using all-dielectric absorbers through different plasticity models.
Adaptive-optics-based turbulence mitigation in a 400 Gbit/s free-space optical link by multiplexing Laguerre–Gaussian modes varying both radial and azimuthal spatial indices: publisher’s note
Authors: Su Xinzhou , Jiang Zile , Duan Yuxiang , Zhou Huibin , Song Hao , Pang Kai , Liu Cong , Zou Kaiheng , Zhang Runzhou , Song Haoqian , Hu Nanzhe , Tur Moshe , Willner Alan E.
Published: December 2023

This publisher’s note contains a correction to Opt. Lett.
48, 6452 (2023)10.1364/OL.506270.
Assessment of biomarkers and clinical parameters as predictors of survival in patients with chagasic heart failure
Authors: Bocchi Edimar Alcides , Veiga Guimarães Guilherme , Espinoza Romero Cristhian , Sato Paula Keiko , de Freitas Vera Lúcia Teixeira , Yamashiro Kanashiro Edite Hatsumi , Furuchó Célia Regina , Das Dores Cruz Fatima , Shimoda Nakanishi Érika , Busser Felipe Delatorre , Bezerra Rita Cristina , Westphalen Elizabeth Visone Nunes , Cisotto Rocha Mussya , Shikanai Yasuda Maria Aparecida
Published: December 2023

Background

Chagas disease, endemic in Latin America and spreading globally due to emigration, has a significant health burden, particularly in relation to chagasic heart failure (HF). Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is characterized by chronic inflammatory myocardial disease. This study aimed to identify inflammatory parameters and biomarkers that could aid in the management of patients with chagasic HF.

Methods and findings

A cohort study was conducted at a tertiary cardiology single-center over a mean follow-up period of 2.4 years. The study included patients with HF secondary to CCM enrolled between October 2013 and July 2017. Various clinical parameters, echocardiography findings, parasitemia status, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponin T (TnT) levels, and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, adiponectin, and IFN-γ) were assessed. The study encompassed a cohort of 103 patients, with a median age of 53 years and 70% being male. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 28%, with 40% of patients classified as NYHA II functional class. The median BNP level was 291 pg/ml. The observed mortality rate during the study period was 38.8%. Predictors of lower survival were identified as elevated levels of BNP, TnT, reduced LVEF, and increased adiponectin (thresholds: BNP > 309 pg/ml, TnT > 27.5 ng/ml, LVEF < 25.5%, adiponectin > 38 μg/mL). Notably, there was no evidence indicating a relationship between parasitemia and the inflammatory parameters with lower survival in these patients, including INF-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL12-(p70), and IL17a.

Conclusion

Despite the presence of a chronic inflammatory process, the evaluated inflammatory biomarkers in this cohort were not predictive of survival in patients with chagasic HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, reduced LVEF, elevated BNP, adiponectin levels, and troponin T were identified as predictors of lower survival in these patients.
Notoginsenoside R1 attenuates brain injury in rats with traumatic brain injury: Possible mediation of apoptosis via ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Authors: Pei Xiaoxian , Zhang Ling , Liu Dan , Wu Yajuan , Li Xiaowei , Cao Ying , Du Xiangdong
Published: December 2023

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs worldwide and is associated with high mortality and disability rate. Apoptosis induced by TBI is one of the important causes of secondary injury after TBI. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) is the main phytoestrogen extracted from Panax notoginseng. Many studies have shown that NGR1 has potent neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties and is effective in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, we investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of NGR1 after TBI and explored its molecular mechanism of action. A rat model of TBI was established using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) method. The expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3, and ERK1/2-related molecules in the downstream pathway were also detected by western blotting. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Nissl staining was used to clarify the morphological changes around the injury foci in rats after TBI. Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) fluorescence staining were used to detect the apoptosis of neural cells in each group of rats. The results showed that NGR1 administration reduced neurological deficits after TBI, as well as brain edema and brain tissue apoptosis. It also significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, NGR1 decreased the expression levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p-RSK1, which are phosphorylated after trauma. This study suggests that NGR1 can improve neuronal apoptosis in brain injury by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway. NGR1 is a potential novel neuroprotective agent for the treatment of secondary brain injury after TBI.
Characteristics and trends of medical malpractice claims in Japan between 2006 and 2021
Authors: Taniguchi Kaori , Watari Takashi , Nagoshi Kiwamu
Published: December 2023

Classification and analysis of existing data on medical malpractice lawsuits are useful in identifying the root causes of medical errors and considering measures to prevent recurrence. No study has shown the actual prevalence of all closed malpractice claims in Japan, including the number of cases and their trial results. In this study, we illustrated the recent trends of closed malpractice claims by medical specialty, the effects of the acceptance rates and the settlements and clarified the trends and characteristics. This was a descriptive study of all closed malpractice claims data from the Supreme Court in Japan from 2006–2021. Trends and the characteristics in closed malpractice claims by medical specialty and the outcomes of the claims, including settlements and judgments, were extracted. The total number of closed medical malpractice claims was 13,340 in 16 years, with a high percentage ending in settlement (7,062, 52.9%), and when concluding in judgment (4,734, 35.3%), the medical profession (3,589, 75.8%) was favored. When compared by medical specialty, plastic surgery and obstetrics/gynecology were more likely resolved by settlement. By contrast, psychiatry cases exhibited a lower likelihood of settlement, and the percentage of cases resulting in unfavorable outcomes for patients was notably high. Furthermore, there has been a decline in the number of closed medical malpractice claims in Japan in recent years compared to the figures observed in 2006. In particular, the number of closed medical malpractice claims in obstetrics/gynecology and the number of closed medical malpractice claims per 1,000 physicians decreased significantly compared to other specialties. In conclusion, half of the closed malpractice claims were settled, and a low percentage of patients won their cases. Closed medical malpractice claims in Japan have declined in most medical specialties since 2006. Additionally, obstetrics/gynecology revealed a significant decrease since introducing the Obstetrics/Gynecology Medical Compensation System in 2009.
Voces eclipsadas: Una nueva mirada hacia las nuevas poéticas corporales
Authors: Arantegui Gallardo Pilar
Published: December 2023

El presente libro recoge las investigaciones del Simposio Voces eclipsadas: contemporaneidad, corporalidad e insurgencia, celebrado el pasado mes de marzo de 2023 en la Facultad de Filología de la Universidad de Salamanca. Este volumen, que sigue la estela del anterior, Voces eclipsadas: expresiones disidentes y escrituras propias en los márgenes de la feminidad (2022), cuenta con las aportaciones de jóvenes investigadores en el campo de la poesía contemporánea y de los estudios de género. A raíz de la exploración de temas como la enfermedad, la alteridad, el dolor, la creación poética, el erotismo y la espiritualidad se vertebra todo un estudio que pretende en última instancia presentar algunas de las claves que configuran las poéticas del cuerpo de autores como María Elena Higueruelo, Laura Rodríguez, Piedad Bonnett, Rodrigo García Marina, Fina García Marruz, Ana Rossetti, Chantal Maillard, Josefa Parra, Rocío Simón, Almudena Guzmán y Courtney Faye.
Mortes por suicídio no Brasil e sazonalidade de buscas na Internet relacionadas ao tema no período de 2008 a 2018
Authors: Paschoal dos Santos Douglas , Hapuque de Carvalho Quéren , Nunes de Oliveira Helian
Published: December 2023

Diversos estudos demonstraram que a busca na internet por termos relacionados ao comportamento suicida está associada ao aumento de mortes por essa causa. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a curva evolutiva da busca no Google por termos relacionados ao comportamento suicida para analisar a relação entre a busca no Google por termos relacionados ao comportamento suicida e as mortes relacionadas ao suicídio mensalmente no período 2008-2018. Trata-se de um estudo de coorte retrospectivo para determinar a relação entre a busca na internet por termos relacionados ao suicídio e casos de suicídio. A evolução da busca na internet foi analisada através do estudo de Séries Temporais utilizando a metodologia Box-Jenkins. A Análise de Correlação de Pearson foi utilizada para avaliar a relação entre a taxa de suicídio e a busca na internet. Foram registradas 115.519 mortes por suicídio no período 2008-2018, com taxa de mortalidade crescente. Foi identificada correlação entre a busca no Google por termos que mostram intencionalidade para o suicídio e as taxas de mortalidade por essa causa no Brasil (r > 0,40). Esta investigação preliminar mostrou que a atividade dos internautas brasileiros está moderadamente correlacionada com a taxa de mortes por suicídio para termos de busca específicos usados ​​no Google.
O DIREITO É A BANANA DA BIOPOLÍTICA
Authors: Ricciardi Sbizera José Alexandre
Published: December 2023

Contextualização do tema: O presente texto foi escrito no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19, diante de situação peculiar em que o corpo de direção de uma instituição de ensino superior particular demandava o retorno dos professores ao ensino presencial. Por esta ocasião, pensou-se na discussão a respeito da relação entre trabalho e morte, utilizando-se da metáfora da banana como figura de linguagem ilustrativa da situação.
Objetivos: O texto tem por objetivo pensar algumas relações entre trabalho e morte em tempos de pandemia. Para tanto, discute elementos da biopolítica e da necropolítica a partir de uma metáfora provocativa que relaciona o direito à banana.
Metodologia: O método utilizado no presente texto é o dedutivo; de revisão bibliográfica de noções elaboradas por Michel Foucault, Byung-Chul Han, Achille Mbembe, Eduardo Viveiros de Castro e Ghassan Hage; e possui caráter ensaístico.
Resultados: Constatou-se que a partir da metáfora elaborada da banana o direito pode ser associado como um dispositivo biopolítico para discutir e fazer pensar as relações entre trabalho e morte em tempos de pandemia, mas não apenas.
Treatment of moderate-severe pain associated with early stage endometriosis; a consensus panel summary
Authors: McCarus Steven , Jalloul Randa , Stockwell Erica , Brotherton Joy , Chaudhari Angela , Parnell Laura
Published: December 2023

Few chronic diseases carry such a personal and societal burden as endometriosis. Amultitude of symptoms similar to other diseases and various contributors to the diseasecompounds its complexity and perpetuates the delay in diagnosis and treatment. Thisliterature review and consensus panel synthesized the current research and clinicalpractices to develop a clinical algorithm to reduce symptoms, minimize time to diagnosis,and improve patient quality of life outcomes. Evaluating patients at earlier stagedendometriosis using best clinical practice should speed diagnosis but also intervene inthe disease process to better manage the chronicity. Treatment of the disease andsymptoms by modulating estradiol levels through medical therapy provides noninvasivepain relief. Initial evaluation with detailed patient history, examination, and utilizing paindiaries determine the course of action. The use of intentional medical therapy andscheduled follow-up provides structure for future clinical decisions to be based on. Shareddecision making between clinician and patient is important to ensure patient goals andbest clinical options are utilized. Surgical intervention should be used strategically andcombined with medical therapy to provide morepredictable patient outcomes with longerlasting results than surgery alone.
PARADOXO DA LIBERDADE: COMO O EXCESSO DE LIBERDADE PODE REDUZIR A LIBERDADE NO MEIO DIGITAL
Authors: Rohden Westephal Augusto , Mayerle Daniel
Published: December 2023

O presente artigo se propõe a analisar, sem a intenção de exaurir o tema, as várias facetas do que pode ser denominado liberdade, para, em análise paralela com o cotidiano, demonstrar que a liberdade irrestrita é, possivelmente, tão nociva quanto à ausência de liberdade. A primeira parte é direcionada à análise da legitimidade do Estado em interferir no conteúdo das informações veiculadas na mídia tradicional e na mídia independente, assim como o contexto histórico-material do surgimento da liberdade de expressão. Em segundo momento, trata-se das várias facetas da liberdade lato sensu. No terceiro momento, desmistifica-se a ideia de liberdade como sinônimo de benefício ao indivíduo e/ou à coletividade. Demonstra-se, então, com casos práticos e dados extraídos do mundo real como a liberdade pode ser paradoxal. Por fim, conclui-se pela necessidade da regulamentação estatal dos ambientes digitais.
CONFLITO ENTRE O PROSSEGUIMENTO DA AÇÃO DE EXIGIR CONTAS NO INVENTÁRIO APÓS O FALECIMENTO DO SUJEITO PASSIVO LEGITIMADO A PRESTÁ-LAS E O DIREITO PERSONALÍSSIMO
Authors: Rezende Spenner Fernanda , Figueiredo Cardona Silviera Patrícia , Petry Maira Carolina
Published: December 2023

O presente trabalho possui como foco analisar o conflito entre o prosseguimento da ação de exigir contas no inventário, após o falecimento do sujeito passivo legitimado a prestá-las, e o direito personalíssimo. O objetivo geral é analisar a natureza da ação de exigir contas e seu destino após o óbito do legitimado passivo. Já os objetivos específicos são: analisar a ação de inventário e as suas formas; identificar as responsabilidades do inventariante; e discutir a ação de exigir contas do exercício do múnus da inventariança na hipótese de morte do inventariante. Nestes termos indaga-se: quais as consequências jurídicas do falecimento do sujeito passivo legitimado a prestar contas na ação de exigir contas do inventário? O método de abordagem será dedutivo e o método de procedimento monográfico com técnicas de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, tendo como fontes livros, artigos, teses e jurisprudências sobre o tema.
A case of chorea with cognitive impairment associated with polycythemia vera
Authors: Shpilyukova Yu. A. , Smetanina O. V. , Kolpina A. A. , Illarioshkin S. N.
Published: December 2023

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder that is often associated with neurological symptoms. Rare manifestations of PV may include movement disorders (mainly chorea) and cognitive impairment (CI), which are fully or partially reversible with appropriate treatment. We present a case of chorea with CI in a 69-year-old man with a confirmed с1849G>T (V617F) mutation in the JAK2 gene with no vascular pathology on neuroimaging. In this patient, there is a clear correlation between the regression of the movement disorders with therapeutic phlebotomy and the start of treatment with hydroxyurea, which allows the conclusion that chorea has the secondary form. The cognitive symptoms remained at the same level after the start of treatment and during the one-year follow-up and did not develop further. In view of the patient's age, a concomitant neurodegenerative disease cannot be ruled out. In elderly patients with new-onset chorea and CI, it is therefore important to consider PV as a possible cause of these disorders, as early diagnosis of this condition allows timely initiation of effective treatment and prevention of the development of complications.
Single-cell analyses EMP1 as a marker of the ratio of M1/M2 macrophages is associated with EMT, immune infiltration, and prognosis in bladder cancer
Authors: Li Jinqiao , Liu Jianyu , Wang Honglei , Ma Jinpeng , Wang Yueze , Xu Wanhai
Published: December 2023

Background: Bladder cancer is among the most lethal urinary system cancers across the globe. Macrophage 1 and Macrophage 2 play an essential role in the pathogenesis of tumors. Nevertheless, prior studies failed to investigate the implication of the two cells, working in combination, in the development, growth, progression and metastasis of bladder cancer.
 
Methods: We computed the M1/M2 ratio of the samples retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) by using the Cibersortx algorithm and calculated the ratio in 32 patients in our series by employing flow cytometry. SurvivalRandomForest was utilized to reduce the dimension of the list of the M1/M2-related genes, with an aim to obtain the most survival-predictive gene (EMP1) encoding epithelial membrane protein 1 (EMP1). The EMP1 was biologically characterized by using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA), and Gene Ontology (GO). The single-cell transcriptome (sc-RNA) analysis was then applied to further look into the function of EMP1. Finally, Cellchat was employed to examine the interaction between macrophages and epithelium cells.
 
Results: The results showed that higher M1/M2 ratio was found to be associated with a more favorable prognosis of bladder cancer. EMP1 was identified to be the key gene indicative of M1/M2 ratio and higher EMP1 expression was associated with poor prognosis. Further analyses showed that EMP1 might promote tumor invasion and metastasis via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and focal adhesion (FA). Moreover, the expression level of EMP1 could serve as an indicator of immunotherapy efficacy. The scRNA-seq data indicated that EMP1 in cancer cells was strongly associated with tumor proliferation. Finally, the Cellchat results exhibited that EMP1 might promote the interaction between macrophages and cancer cells through the fibronectin 1-syndecan 1 (FN1-SDC1) pathway.
 
Conclusion: Our study identified EMP1, an M1/M2-related gene, the expression of which may act as a prognostic indicator for the proliferation, metastasis, and response to immunotherapy. EMP1 might be involved in the regulation on M1/M2 ratio. 
Regulatory framework of e-Learning integration with inclusive higher education in Ethiopia: The case of students with disabilities
Authors: Fenta Hailemariam Belay , Lake Tariku Taddele , Yemata Belete Addis
Published: December 2023

In Ethiopia, students with disabilities (SWDs) face various learning barriers, inequalities, and inequities. Overcoming SWDs’ obstacles is a critical component of inclusive higher education strategies. Currently, e-Learning is preferred to ensure inclusive education and resolve the challenges of SWDs. Therefore, using a mixed research design, this research assessed the policies, legislation, and practices of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Ethiopia concerning e-Learning and its integration into inclusive education for SWDs. Two survey questionnaires (largely consisting of Likert questions) were developed and distributed to 100 SWDs and 18 university instructors randomly selected from three purposively selected HEIs to collect quantitative data. Then, the survey data was analysed using SPSS (version 26) with descriptive statistics using percentages and count/frequency. The qualitative data was collected using document reviews and eight key informant interviews (KIIs) with purposefully selected stakeholders and officials of the three HEIs. The qualitative data was analysed by categorizing and tabulating it under different thematic areas. According to the findings, despite progress in ICT infrastructure, the development and implementation of e-Learning in Ethiopian HEIs are in their infancy and far from meeting the needs and interests of SWDs in the teaching-learning process. The major constraints include the resistance of many university lecturers to technology-assisted education; a lack of basic digital skills among lecturers and students; the absence of adequate e-Learning policies and legislation concerning inclusive education; and a lack of coordinated efforts from stakeholders to ensure institutional and national support to incorporate e-Learning into inclusive education. Consequently, in response to these constraints, we recommend: enacting comprehensive HEI policies and legislative frameworks that integrate e-Learning and inclusive education; providing adequate and periodic training to SWDs, faculty, and ICT personnel of HEIs; offering free or low-cost internet services and digital end devices to users; and conducting similar studies on e-Learning and inclusive education.
FROZEN INITIAL LIABILITY METHOD TO DETERMINE NORMAL COST OF PENSION FUND WITH VASICEK INTEREST RATE MODEL
Authors: Sulma Sulma , Rasyid Nur Ahniyanti , Widana I Nyoman
Published: December 2023

Civil servants have an important role in national development, so increasing their productivity is needed. The pension fund program is given as a form of effort by government agencies to ensure employee welfare when entering retirement. This research discusses the normal cost of the defined benefit pension program using one of the actuarial valuation methods, namely Frozen Initial Liability (FIL), by taking into account the stochastic interest rate following the Vasicek model. The data used in this study are lecturers majoring in MIPA, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Jambi, consisting of 8 people of female gender with the status of being a participant since 2022. Based on the calculation results obtained that in the period 0-30 years, the normal cost for each group member is constant, namely  per year or  per month. When the working period entered 31 years, one by one the participants began to enter their retirement period, which resulted in a change in the normal cost value. At 38 years of service, there was only one participant with a normal cost of  per year or by  per month. Changes in normal cost tend to decrease when retirement program participants also decrease. In the period of more than 38 years, all participants have retired so that normal cost payments are stopped.
MODIFIED HOUSEHOLDER METHOD OF FIFTH ORDER OF CONVERGENCE AND ITS DYNAMICS ON COMPLEX PLANE
Authors: Putri Ayunda , Imran M , Marjulisa Rike
Published: December 2023

In this paper, a modified Householder method of fifth order is proposed for solving nonlinear equations. The modification is done by adapting a cubic interpolation polynomial to approximate the second derivative in the Householder method. Weprovide a theorem to prove the order of convergence of the proposed method. The simulations reveal that the proposed method needs fewer iterations, even with challenging initial guesses, and excels in sending a large portion of initial points to convergence and exhibits rapid convergence.
OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS FOR PROJECTILE MOTION: MAXIMIZING RANGE AND DETERMINING OPTIMAL LAUNCH ANGLE
Authors: Alridha Ahmed Hasan
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we undertake an in-depth exploration of the optimization of parameters governing the trajectory of a projectile. Our primary objective is the determination of the optimal launch angle and initial velocity that yield the maximum achievable range for the projectile. To accomplish this, we leverage five distinct optimization methodologies, specifically the Nelder-Mead, Powell, L-BFGS-B, TNC, and SLSQP algorithms, in pursuit of our research goals. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of the optimization procedures, shedding light on the impact of these diverse algorithms on the resultant outcomes. For each set of optimized parameters, the manuscript conducts extensive simulations of the projectile’s trajectory, presenting visual depictions of the paths traversed by the projectile. Additionally, our study incorporates comparative charts to emphasize the performance distinctions among various algorithms with respect to both maximum range and launch angle.
SENZORIČNE LASTNOSTI PIŠČANČJEGA MESA RAZLIČNIH KRIŽANCEV
Authors: VADNJAL Robert , HOLCMAN Antonija , KOVAČ Milena , GAŠPERLIN Lea , ŽLENDER Božidar
Published: December 2023

Raziskali smo vpliv različnih provenienc piščancev, spola živali in kosa (bedra vs. prsa) na senzorične in instrumentalne parametre kakovosti mesa. Tri tuje provenience (arbor acres, avian, ross) in dva domača križanca piščancev (prelux-bro1, prelux-bro2) smo spitali v kletkah do starosti 47 dni. Iz vsake skupine smo za analizo odbrali po 8 živali (4 jarčke, 4 petelinčke), od katerih smo po toplotni obdelavi (pečenje do Ts= 80o C) senzorično analizirali meso prs in beder (profil barve, teksture, arome) ter naredili instrumentalno analizo teksture z INSTRON aparatom kot rezno trdnost prečno (RTP) in vzdolžno (RTV). Ugotovili smo statistično značilen vpliv provenience na vonj in aromo mesa, ki sta najslabša pri piščancih ross, prav ti pa imajo najbolj mastno in mehko meso. Meso petelinčkov je v vseh senzoričnih lastnostih višje ocenjeno od mesa jarčk; za sočnost, mastnost in občutek v ustih so razlike značilne. Prsa imajo nasproti bedrom značilno večje RTP in RTV vrednosti, kar se sklada s slabšo senzorično ocenjeno mehkobo. Prsa so v primerjavi z bedri prav tako višje ocenjena za barvo in vonj, medtem ko so nižje ocenjena za sočnost, mastnost in občutek v ustih. Ugotovljene so tudi značilne korelacije med instrumentalno izmerjenimi ter senzorično izvrednotenimi lastnostmi teksture mesa piščancev.
THE EFFECT OF MAIZE GRAIN TYPE ON DIGESTIBILITY OF STARCH IN THE RUMEN OF SHEEP
Authors: VERBIČ Jože , BABNIK Drago , ŽNIDARŠIČ-PONGRAC Vida
Published: December 2023

Ruminal starch digestibility of dried maize grain and whole plant maize silage was determined by the in sacco method. It was found out that starch of dent type maize hybrid is more extensively digested in the rumen than starch of flint type hybrid. Digestibilities of dried maize grain from dent and flint type hybrids were 683 and 554 g kg-1 respectively. Ruminal digestibilities of corresponding silages were 915 and 743 g kg-1. Ruminal digestibility of starch in whole plant maize silage was on average about 200 g kg-1 higher than in dried grain samples. Ruminal starch digestibility of maize silages can not be estimated directly on the basis of measurements done on dried grain samples. Some practical implications of differences among hybrids and between dried and ensiled maize are discussed.
XYLANOLYTIC ENZYME SYSTEM OF RUMEN BACTERIUM Prevotella bryantii B14
Authors: MARINŠEK LOGAR Romana , GASPARIČ A. , NEKREP F. V.
Published: December 2023

Prevotella spp. are recognised as one of the most numerous strictly anaerobic bacteria inhabiting the rumen. Potentially significant activities include the degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides, starch, proteins and peptides. P. bryantii B14 is not cellulolytic but actively degrades hemicellulose xylan and carries multiple xylanase genes. Four regions encoding xylanase activity have been isolated, one of which encodes a previously isolated CMC-ase. Of the remaining regions, one encodes activities against p-nitrophenyl-b -xyloside and p-nitrophenyl-a -L-arabinofuranoside (genes xyn A and xynB). The gene xynC encodes another endoxylanase. SDS PAGE xylanograms revealed four endoxylanolytic bands at 29 kDa, 45 kDa, 66 kDa and 88 kDa. The majority of endoxylanase and CMC-ase activity was found in periplasmic cell fraction while most of the a -L-arabinofuranosidase and b -xylosidase activities were found in the crude membrane fraction. HPLC separation of periplasmic proteins by CIM DEAE 8 tubes resulted in partial isolation of CMC-ase and 66-kDa endoxylanase.
CHITINOLYTIC ENZYMES IN THE RUMEN MICROBIAL ECOSYSTEM
Authors: KOPEČNÝ J. , HODROVÁ Blanka
Published: December 2023

Chitinolytic systems of rumen Clostridia (usually the most active rumen chitinolytic bacteria) and rumen anaerobic fungi were compared in the present study. The chitinolytic enzymes of tested Clostridia strains were represented mainly by extracellular exochitinases, N-acetylglucosaminidases, chitin deacetylases and chitosanases. Zymograms of exochitinases revealed that these enzymes were bound in complexes with MW higher than 100 kDa. Final products of chitin degradation were glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine and chitin oligosaccharides. Fungal chitinases were represented mainly by extracellular endochitinases and chitin deacetylase in both mono- and polycentric fungi. The main activities in cellular fraction were chitosanase and endochitinase. There were no or low activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in all fungal strains tested. In comparison with rumen chitinolytic bacteria there was lower production of exochitinases and no production of N-acetylglucosaminidase in rumen fungi.
BACTERIOCINS OF Lactobacillus LF221 STRAIN
Authors: BOGOVIČ MATIJAŠIĆ Bojana , ROGELJ Irena
Published: December 2023

LF221 strain is a Lactobacillus isolate from a baby’s faeces that was previously found to produce bacteriocin(s) with inhibitory activity against a wide range of bacterial species including some pathogenic and food-spoilage (Bacillus cereus, Clostridium sp., Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus aureus). Isoelectric point and molecular mass of bacteriocin complex and subunits were estimated. Precipitation with ammonium sulphate, cation exchange chromatography, C8 hydrophobic interaction chromatography and reverse-phase FPLC chromatography were used to isolate bacteriocins from the supernatant of MRS culture. Amino acid composition and partial N-terminal amino acid sequences of two isolated bacteriocins were determined. Bacteriocins were present in MRS supernatant as aggregates with Mw>150.000 and pI 5.1-5.3, while Mw of subunits was 3500-5000. A high content of glycin and alanin was observed for both bacteriocins. The N-terminal amino acid sequences showed little similarity with those of other bacteriocins. Acidocins LF221 A and B appear to belong to the II class of LAB bacteriocins.
Vzroki plodnostnih motenj pri kravah molznicah
Authors: OREŠNIK Andrej
Published: December 2023

V preteklih desetletjih smo v Sloveniji proučevali in opisali najpogostejše vzroke, ki povzročajo motnje v plodnosti krav. Izdelali smo postopke za učinkovito odkrivanje vzrokov plodnostnih motenj ter razvili metode za izboljševanje plodnosti pri kravah, ki jih redimo na kmetijah in posestvih v Sloveniji. V prispevku opisujemo merila, s katerimi v raziskavah in pri strokovnem delu ocenjujemo plodnost krav. Pregledno navajamo možne in značilne vzroke za plodnostne motenje (dedno pogojene plodnostne motnje, kužne bolezni in nespecifične okužbe rodil, napake pri osemenjevanju, sistemi reje krav, podnebne in vremenske razmere, sezona telitve, starost krav, postopki vodenja reprodukcijskih dogajanj v čredi, mlečnost krav in prehrana krav). Na podlagi rezultatov lastnih raziskav opisujemo postopke za odkrivanje vzrokov plodnostnih motenj in razlagamo nekatere značilne povezave med posameznimi simptomi plodnostnih motenj in napakami v prehrani ter napakami pri vodenju reprodukcijskih dogajanj v čredi krav.
Uravnavanje od ubikvitin-proteasom odvisnega sistema razkroja beljakovin v poskusnih modelih mišične atrofije
Authors: ČERVEK Matjaž , ATTAIX Didier , STEKAR Jasna M. A.
Published: December 2023

Vedno več je dokazov, da ima od ATP-ubikvitina odvisni proteolitični sistem ključno vlogo pri razkroju beljakovin skeletnega mišičja. V različnih poskusnih modelih mišične atrofije poskušajo raziskovalci ugotoviti, kateri dejavniki in vplivi uravnavajo od ATP-ubikvitina odvisni razkroj beljakovin v skeletnih mišicah. Glede na dejavnike bi jih lahko v grobem razdelili na modele z vplivi prehrane (stradanje, beljakovinsko pomanjkljiva prehrana), z vplivi nerabe mišic (denervacija, breztežnost), z vplivi bolezenskih stanj (sepsa, acidoza, diabetes, opekline, kaheksija), z vplivi hormonov (inzulin, IGF-1, glukokortikoidi) in z vplivi citokinov (tumor nekrozni faktor-a, interleukin-1, interleukin-6).
Introduction of the Comet assay for the evaluation of oxidative stress, antioxidant effects and environmental pollutants effects on animal cells
Authors: MARINŠEK-LOGAR Romana
Published: December 2023

DNA damage within single mammalian cells can be one of the earliest signs of a whole range of health problems, including disease, diet and exposure to occupational or environmental toxins. The Comet assay is a relatively simple and inexpensive method for measuring this damage. It works by determining the number of breaks in the strands of DNA within the cell. Cells are embedded in agarose gel on a microscopic slide and washed to remove the cell membranes, soluble cell contents and histones from the nucleus. An electric field is then activated across and the loops of damaged DNA are pulled towards the anode. Epifluorescence microscopy of stained gels shows the image which gives the techique its name: a clump of undamaged DNA (the head) with the loops pulled away, forming a tail of a comet. We report herein the checking of the Comet assay for the evaluation of oxidative stress on chicken, mouse and pig blood cells, pig sperm cells and chicken hepatocytes. We intend to use the Comet assay as a quantitative method in some nutritional experiments with domestic animals including oxidative food components and antioxidants and for the evaluation of some environmental pollutants effects on animal and human cells.
Variabilnost v vsebnosti cinka v vzorcih različnih vrst trav in črne detelje
Authors: OREŠNIK Andrej , LAVRENČIČ Andrej , STOPAR Jože
Published: December 2023

V letu 1997 smo na različnih parcelah iste površine v štirih košnjah in v različnih razvojnih fazah rastlin zbrali po 10 vzorcev črne detelje (Trifolium pratense) in mnogocvetne ljuljke (Lolium multiflorum) ter po 8 vzorcev mačjega repa (Phleum pratense), trpežne ljuljke (Lolium perenne), travniške bilnice (Festuca pratensis), rdeče bilnice (Festuca rubra) in pasje trave (Dactylis glomerata). V vzorcu zemlje iz poskusne površine smo izmerili pH vrednost 7,2 in 75,8 mg cinka kg-1 SS. V povprečju so trave vsebovale 20,36 mg, črna detelja pa 26,43 mg cinka kg-1 SS. Najmanj cinka je bilo v suhi snovi vzorcev rdeče bilnice (16,92 mg kg-1). V trpežni ljulki ga je bilo 18,13 mg, v travniški bilnici 18,66 mg in v pasji travi 20,84 mg v kg suhe snovi. Največ cinka so v suhi snovi vsebovali vzorci mačjega repa (23,66 mg kg-1) in mnogocvetne ljuljke (23,97 mg kg-1). Razlike med travami so bile statistično značilne. V prvi košnji so rastline v fazi bilčenja vsebovale 22,44 mg, med latenjem 19,57 mg in cvetenjem 16,47 mg cinka kg-1. Razlike so statistično značilne. V koncentraciji cinka v suhi snovi vseh zbranih vzorcev prve košnje in vzorcev druge košnje ni bilo statistično značilnih razlik (19,49 mg in 20,22 mg kg-1). V vzorcih tretje košnje je bilo statistično značilno več cinka (24,29 mg kg-1 SS) v primerjavi s prvo in drugo košnjo, v vzorcih jesenske košnje pa največ (26,91 mg kg-1 SS). V vzorcih mačjega repa, trpežne ljuljke in mnogocvetne ljuljke so bile razlike v vsebnosti cinka med vzorci prve košnje in jesenske košnje zelo velike (+78,4%, +68,0% in +58,4%).
Fatty acid composition of Edam, Emmental and Gouda cheeses produced in Slovenia in autumn 1997
Authors: KOMAN RAJŠP Mojca , STIBILJ Vekoslava
Published: December 2023

The aim of our work was to determine fatty acid composition of three different types of cheeses - Edam, Gouda and Emmental, produced in Slovenia in autumn 1997. The analysed Edam and Gouda cheese was produced by three and Emmental cheese by two different producers. All samples were purchased in the local supermarkets twice in the period of three months in autumn 1997. The methyl esters of the fatty acids were prepared by in situ transesterification (ISTE) and determined by gas chromatography. The average total SAT (saturated fatty acids) content was 56.80 wt % (relative percentage for each fatty acid of the total fatty acids) for Emmental cheese, 56.62 wt % for Edam cheese and 57.49 wt % for Gouda cheese. The average total MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) content was 34.26 wt % for Emmental cheese, 34.28 wt % for Edam cheese and 33.45 wt % for Gouda cheese. The average total PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) content was 5.30 wt % for Emmental cheese, 5.74% for Edam cheese and 5.64% for Gouda cheese. No great difference was found between three types of cheese concerning the fatty acid profile (wt %).
Uporaba mikrosatelitov za odkrivanje tetrasomnih regij v genomu lipana (Thymallus thymallus)
Authors: SUŠNIK Simona , SNOJ Aleš , POHAR Jurij , DOVČ Peter
Published: December 2023

Proučevali smo način dedovanja 18 mikrosatelitnih lokusov v genomu lipana. Pri treh mikrosatelitnih lokusih smo v postopku tipizacije poleg dveh pričakovanih fragmentov pričakovane velikosti našli še dodatne fragmente. Na osnovi dedovanja teh treh mikrosatelitnih lokusov, ki smo ga proučevali na potomcih iz štirih križanj, smo ovrgli možnost, da bi bili ti dodatni produkti posledica nespecifičnega pomnoževanja v PCR. Nekatere regije genoma lipana torej kažajo delno tetrasomnost genoma oziroma podvojitve nekaterih kromosomskih regij.
DNA isolation from equine faecal excrements
Authors: WEISS Martina , TEPŠIČ Katarina , AVGUŠTIN Gorazd
Published: December 2023

Sampling and extraction procedures were elaborated for DNA isolation suitable for subsequent PCR amplification and other molecular manipulation experiments from horse excrements. Eleven Lipizzaner horses were split into two age groups and faecal excrements were collected as soon as possible after defecation and the DNA was isolated immediately after arrival to the laboratory. The excrements collected from the group of younger horses yielded on average 3-4 fold higher amounts of DNA than from the group of older horses. The variability of the DNA yield isolated on successive days from the same horse remained within 15% of the average yield. The DNA yield isolated on successive days from the same faecal excrement increased gradually from 4.61 to 7.96 μg g-1 faeces until 48 hrs after defecation and dropped only slightly to 7.51 μg g-1 after further four days. Our results indicate, that substantial microbial growth is taking place in the faecal excrements at least until two days after defecation. It is of utmost importance therefore, that the sampling is done as soon as possible after defecation if microbial community structure analysis of the equine colon and faeces is to be performed.
Horizontal gene transfer in bacteria: an ecological and evolutionary perspective
Authors: PETERKA Matjaž , ACCETTO Tomaž , AVGUŠTIN Gorazd
Published: December 2023

In recent years, molecular genetics and genome analysis provided extensive evidence that gene loss and acquisition are likely to be the primary mechanisms by which bacteria genetically adapt to novel or changed environments and by which bacterial populations diverge and form separate, evolutionary distinct species. Three mechanisms of gene transfer have been identified in microorganisms: transformation, conjugation and transduction, but our knowledge concerning horizontal gene transfer in the environment was and still is very limited. Animal gut and in particular the rumen belong to the most complex microbial ecosystems. Conditions in the rumen potentially favour horizontal gene transfer with conjugation and transduction, due to large, diverse and dense bacterial and bacteriophage populations, however, there is very little evidence supporting theoretical assumptions. A brief review of current knowledge on horizontal gene transfer is presented with the emphasis on the available data and views concerning the process going on in the rumen.
Reja krav molznic po etoloških načelih
Authors: SENICA Metoda , ŠTUHEC Ivan , REZAR Vida
Published: December 2023

V čredi 34 krav molznic smo za opazovanje izbrali 11 krav rjave in 4 krave lisaste pasme, rejene v dveh različnih tehnologijah. V prvem načinu reje so bile krave stalno privezane na Grabnerjevih navezih (hlevska reja), v drugem, ki je bil podoben prvemu, pa so bile krave vsak dan za 7 ur spuščene na pašnik (pašna reja). Krave v pašni reji so imele daljši čas žretja, manjšo pogostost pitja in krajši čas prežvekovanja in mirovanja v primerjavi s hlevsko rejo. Kljub krajšemu času mirovanja so krave na pašniku pogosteje legale kot v hlevski reji. Večjo pogostost leganja na pašniku je možno pripisati lažjemu leganju in vstajanju na nedrseči travni ruši in neomejeni možnosti gibanja. Pogostost blatenja in mokrenja je bila v pašni reji večja kot v hlevski, še posebej v uri pred izpustom na pašnik. To kaže na vznemirjenje živali, ki so komaj čakale, da gredo iz hleva na pašnik. V pašni reji je bila večja pogostost lizanja drugih krav in lizanja samih sebe. Pomanjkanje možnosti za nego telesa so krave v hlevski reji nadomestile s pogostejšim očohavanjem ob hlevsko opremo.